Jobs to do before going on the market

[Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear]

We are hoping to go on the market soon for the very first time so no idea what to expect. We bought a new build 4 years ago so it is still in very good nick and nothing broken. Boiler recently serviced and all good.

There are some cosmetic things though and I was wondering which need doing and which would actually be better left undone (as the buyers may want to do differently). Any advice much appreciated :)

Small dents in walls on stairs from moving big furniture (assume this is one that should definitely be done)

Hallways and stairways and a couple of bedrooms still have the original builders paint in, is it worth painting in a neutral colour?

Cat got shut in walk in wardrobe in first week after carpets were laid and scratched it up in one corner, worth replacing in a wardrobe?

Kitchen/diner paint done 3 years ago and looking a little tired in high use areas. Worth repainting or just touching up?

Should we swap the radiators in the bathrooms for heated towel rails?

Am planning to get the oven and carpets professionally cleaned.

Wait till the EA comes and ask them. None of that sounds like stuff that would need to be done - you’ve been living in the house after all!

Maybe paint the kitchen. Definitely don't change radiators.

Thanks both :) I am so clueless I didnt realise the EA would advise on that sort of thing so will see what they say.

Honestly I was in the same boat as you until last week - I asked my EA and he said don’t do anything. But then, my house has been lived in for 15 years and was a doer upper when we moved in, so not quite the same!

Good luck

I repaint just to freshen it up (filling in those dents first). Do it yourself. It will make it look well maintained. Don't worry about the carpet.
Declutter but don't make it so sterile it looks bland. Don't forget to tidy up the outside too. Wash the windows.

First, I would clean and de clutter like your life depended on it. Or, at least your house sale.

Beyond that, I’d listen to your estate agent’s advice.

The cleaning and decluttering makes a massive difference to a viewing for me. I have noticed that I like a place so much better when I can easily walk into and around rooms. If feels like it could be my space rather than someone else’s space.

Also, If I notice any dust or dirt, I start wondering what else there is that I might have missed. There might not be anything but I still wonder about it and it does have an effect on my overall opinion of the place.

For me I would clean everything including carpets really thoroughly and declutter as much as you can.

The rest of it we found it useful to take photos and see what was visible on photos - people will expect a place to be lived in and minor things but things like bad DIY can look bad. All of the things you said wouldn't bother me unless they were very visible but they don't sound it unless your cat is a tiger.

I'ld just clean and clear it and get it on the market.

Do the easy wins, most people will want to stamp their own mark when they move in anyway. Agree, listen to the EA, they will know the market. If it's a hot market where you are, buyers will be a lot more forgiving!

Something else to consider is outside, the kerb appeal - this is the first thing people will see. So tidy any front gardens, get the windows washed.

Lots of decluttering, not a showhome, but not a total mess.

It's easy to overthink, and often on these threads you'll get all sorts of weird and ridiculous responses mostly from people who aren't actually buying and selling anyway...