Keeping your house clean and tidy when you’ve got a busy household isn’t always easy, especially when you factor in full-time work, kids and pets. But when you’re selling your home, it’s important to create the right impression, so how do you keep it looking its best for viewings?
At Brookings, we understand that it’s not always practical to do a deep clean every time a viewing is booked. That’s why we’ll always give you as much notice as possible and plan things in advance.
However, sometimes it helps to give your home a little spruce before potential buyers come through the door. Our team of property professionals have put together their top tips for getting your house buyer ready. Read on for some quick and easy hacks to get your house sale moving.
1. Kerb Appeal Matters
The first place to start is outside the front door, whether you’ve got a driveway, or a small patio area, make sure your bins are put away and remove any rubbish, bikes, or muddy shoes. Well-kept plants always make a good impression, so you may want to invest in something green and sturdy to up the kerb appeal of your property.
2. Easy Clean
It’s understandable if you don’t have time to clean every nook and cranny of your home prior to a viewing but a few basic tasks will go a long way to improve the appearance of your home. A quick hoover or sweep of the floors immediately tidies up a home and wiping down sticky kitchen surfaces will help. Plump up the pillows in your seating area, clear counters of clutter and make sure the sink is empty of dishes. If you’ve got a pet, remove any visible hair and toys.
3. Storage buckets
Essential for any home, invest in some storage boxes, baskets or buckets. These are ideal to chuck toys, clutter and general household stuff into and get it out of the way prior to a viewing.
4. Make the bed
Always make sure your beds are made, and open the curtains to let the light in. While a buyer isn’t there to judge the cleanliness of your home, a well-made bed and bright, airy rooms will make things look much better. Taking clothes off the floor and into cupboards will also give them a better idea of floor space.
5. Smells to Avoid
Whilst we all know that bleach gets things sparkling white, make sure not to use it too liberally prior to a viewing. The smell is overpowering and unpleasant. The same goes for air fresheners and other artificial fragrances. You may love the smell, but a buyer might not, and it could put them off. Other smells to avoid include damp clothes, pet smells and strong cooking aromas. Air your home by opening the windows and getting those overpowering scents out.
6. Bathroom Makeover
A clean and fresh bathroom is important to create a strong first impression. Open the window, make sure the toilet has been flushed, put down the toilet seat and pull back the shower curtain to create more space. Dirty towels and laundry should be put away, and don’t forget to rinse out toothpaste marks from the sink.
These quick cleaning tips will ensure your home is looking its best for those all-important viewings. You may not have time to steam clean the carpets or wipe down every skirting board, but just 15 minutes of focused tidying will make a huge difference to buyers.
About Brookings
Based in Romford, we’re experienced estate agents and have sold thousands of homes all over East London and Essex including Hornchurch, Upminster, Barking, Dagenham and Havering. Our team can offer advice and practical tips when it comes to selling your home and what to fix when selling a house. We always strive to help our sellers maximise the value of their properties without having to spend a fortune.
We can even arrange open days to minimise disruption to your busy schedule and get numerous viewings done in one go.
So, if you’re ready to put your home on the market, or maybe you’re looking for a new agent to sell your home with, give us a call on 020 8591 9088 for a quick chat.
We look forward to working with you.
