Preparing your home for viewings is an important step in the home selling process. You want to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that will help potential buyers fall in love with your home. 

By the time a buyer sees your home in person, they already know the size, layout and location, and the photos have been enticing enough for them to book the viewing. So this step of the buying journey is mainly about them making sure that your home is as good in reality as it looks in the brochure, and that it feels like the right place for them to live. 

Ask you estate agent for their advice. 

You may have great idea on how to present your home, however we are speaking with and showing buyers homes on a regular basis, and may be able to suggest so tips that you may not have thought of.

Whilst we create beautiful lifestyle photography and styling for the marketing of your home, it is sometimes hard to keep your property in the same condition as the property brochure and online listing, especially if you have younger children. 

Here are some quick tips to help you prepare your home for before the buyer turns up for their viewing:

Declutter and clean

Remove any clutter and unnecessary items from your home. This will make your home appear more spacious and tidy. Clean all surfaces, floors, and windows to make your home look fresh and well-maintained. 

Whilst you might put those little jobs off, if a buyer wishes to view at short notice, having a home that is free from clutter, means to will only have to quickly run the vacuum cleaner around and pack away the dishes and mugs in their rightful place.

Make sure your bathrooms are clean and fresh. Quick Tip: Keep a clean set of towels just for viewings, so that you can quickly switch them in and back out once the viewing is over!

Don't forget the exterior.

Make sure the outside of your home is tidy and well-maintained. Clean up the gardens, trim hedges and bushes, and add some colorful flowers or plants to create a welcoming entrance to enhance the curb appeal.

Ensure the buyer can park their car conveniently to make them feel like they are pulling up to their own home.

Depersonalise: 

When you market your home, it's best to have a mindset that it's 'not your home anymore' to try to appeal to all buyers who visit. By removing as many personal items, such as photos, family crests and football team shirts, will help the buyer to feel at home themselves, rather than intruding on someone else's space.

Make necessary repairs: 

Make any necessary repairs such as dripping taps, squeaky doors and replacing broken light fixtures. These small repairs can make a big difference in the overall feel and appearance of your home.

Stage your home: 

Use your marketing photos as a reference and try to keep all these styling accessories in your home so that they just need a quick ‘condition check’ before viewings. 

Candles, flowers, high-end magazines work well in reception rooms and bedrooms, whilst fresh flowers and a fruit bowl with fresh herbs can add the final touches to your kitchen. 

By using accessories to showcase the best features can sell the lifestyle of living in your home. 

Create a welcoming atmosphere

Set the mood by opening curtains and blinds to let in natural light, playing soft background music. 

Don't forget the aroma of your rooms too. If you can fill your home with aromas that remind people of happy times in their lives, it will help them feel good about it – and they’ll be more likely to remember it in greater detail. Baking bread or a cake works wonders, whilst lighting scented candles or diffusing essential oils can really appeal to buyers.

By following these tips, you can create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere that will help potential buyers envision themselves living in your home.

At Gracechurch Unique, our team is always here to help, so if you have any questions about viewings, staging or creating the best possible first impression for buyers, just call on 020 3418 0584 or email us on unique@gracechurch-property.co.uk . We look forward to hearing from you!

Good luck with your viewings!