How tidy should my house be for a valuation?

[Chocolateporridge]

We're getting a free valuation done this week as we're thinking of selling. My house isn't dirty or full of junk but it could do with a bit of a declutter and the garden needs doing. We'd planned to do a lot this weekend and its just not happened, so now I'm worrying about exactly how tidy it needs to be?! Will the assessor see past the piles of toys and corners of clutter or will it affect the valuation?

It may effect valuation, do as much as you can!! can you not delay valuation?x

I'm assuming that your valuation is being done by an agent who might sell it? If this is the case I'd tidy up. Around here the agents commission varies, and how easy a house will be to sell will affect what they charge. Which makes sense really!

Gulp, I felt sure you'd say that I didn't need to go mad with tidying. Oh well, better get cracking! Thanks

Treat it as you would a viewing. The agent is going to, in deciding how quickly they can sell your house, and accordingly, doing a deal with you in the commission.

I had a big declutter and then stuffed everything possible in boxes "away", and left it like that for the subsequent viewings. You have to get it tidy anyway to sell it, so do the big work now and then just maintain for viewings.

I am now 2 weeks off moving and still going through cupboards chucking stuff!

I would tidy too, as Mendi says you need to do it for viewings anyway. We did this and negotiated a 1/4% off the EA's commission together with a much shorter tie-in period - EA held an open day and we sold that day at asking price (which was a bit over Stamp Duty level). It was worth the tidying! I think it gives the EA a positive feel for the property and that helps with them selling it.

Good luck!