To ask for tips on how to make our home more attractive to viewers?

[AngeloMysterioso]

We’ve had such a run of awful luck with trying to sell our home and we really need this next one to go well…

Home is a 2 bed ground floor flat, occupied by me, DH, and three DSs aged 4, 2 and 4 months. Viewer is a single woman, that’s all we know.

We’re trying to tidy and declutter like mad but there’s no way to hide the fact that a family lives here- the toy box and play mat and bedside crib will have to stay where they are for example- but what can I do to make it more appealing? I’m going to get some fresh flowers, maybe put some candles around the bath and get some nice smelling home fragrance… any other tips or ideas?

Yeah nothing sets a memory like streaming eyes & nose & an irritated throat.

just open windows, you don't need all that crap.

Make sure it smells clean and fresh - empty the bins, open the windows, make sure kitchen filters are working properly, and wipe down kitchen cabinets that can get invisibly greasy and hold odour. A shake of bread soda on carpets and upholstery, then hoover, will help with smells too.

I think shit like candles means you’re trying to cover the smell of damp or sewers . Just declutter as stuff makes places “feel” small.

I disagree on stuff like the playmat being fine. It wouldn’t put me off buying- but it would make me think this place is no longer suitable and I’d try to shaft you on price

We rented a storage unit and decanted as much as possible into it to make our flat look as tidy and spacious as possible. Made sure it was sparkling clean and that the kids were not in the house for the viewing. Sold it to the first viewer!

Can you post a link or some photos? That way we can give really specific advice. We’ve had a few fall through in a row so I understand how you feel.

We can only do so much with the cars, DHs will be full to the brim but I’ll be out with the DC in mine and can’t fit much beyond the pram in the boot.

We switched agents so this is the first viewing with this EA. Feedback was always positive with previous EA, issues were things like the garden being too small which we obviously can’t change!

I’m not planning on actually buying things like candles etc just repositioning ones I already have. I tend to get daffodils when they’re in season anyway. Will be putting on fresh bedsheets in the morning, towels in the bathroom etc

Don't overdo it with candles or fragrances, it would look you are trying to mask something.
Normal cleaning is all you can do.

We saw about twelfe flats and made an offer for five. When we didn't it was always because of something the seller couldn't influenced (thought if those facts were clear from the advertising, we wouldn't have bothered with the viewing).

The only thing you can influence is the price. We met some desperate sellers, when the estate agent contacted us after the viewing to let us know they would accept lower offer, but it didn't outweigh the flat just didn't work for us.