House going up for sale - need tips!

[MumofSpud]

Haven't sold a house for years and the last one we sold to a builder under a new build scheme so didn't have to have any viewings!

Years ago it was said that the prospective buyer looks at the 'lifestyle' of the house owner ie put out 'good' toiletries etc but I think we're all a bit more clued up re: property

Any tips apart from the obvious clean clean clean !
What do I do with my inside / outside cat's litter?

Although once I viewed a property and was shown a bedroom- dark - there was someone in bed and the floor was really soft - loads of cig butts on the floor

I look at the price. Having a bottle of Aesops hand wash in the downstairs toilet wouldn't sway me one way or the other. Being dirty wouldn't put me off either because I would just clean it.

The house you viewed where the person was in bed? did you buy it?

When you have the photographs and viewings, hide the cat litter in a cupboard.

Clean, tidy, de-clutter.

Good kerb appeal. Garden aren’t at their best at this time of year, but a couple of pots with spring flowers planted does wonders. Sweep leaves up.

You want it to look well cared for ideally, so any little jobs where something is visibly broken etc are worth doing. Tidying the garden of leaves etc, a decent doormat etc make a good first impression.
Regardless of whether a house needs some work ideal lu smelling fresh when someone visits, no pet or cooking smells - windows open for a bit.
As others say though, I think most people look past the ‘lifestyle selling’ these days.

Keeping the windows (and frames) clean inside and out makes a big difference IMO. Do a major declutter for the photos, but it doesn't have to be quite as strict for the viewings. Make sure the house is well ventilated so there aren't any smells from pets or cooking.

Good clutter free photos. I did my own so I could move things out of each room for photos.

Good kerb appeal - people will drive past your house to check out the area before viewing.

Try to have no people or animals in the house for viewings - it makes the buyer rush if there are people sitting in rooms they are viewing.

We viewed loads of houses. The tidiness / smell of cooking / posh soaps didn't sway us at all - it was all about the bones of the house and the area.

Many people don't have much imagination, and staging will probably work for this group. I painted my front door and wooden window frames and put a hanging basket outside when I sold my rental last year.

Clean outside - no grimy paving, bundles of dead leaves, hide the bins. Sweep tarmac, pickup leaves from the gravel. Wipe the front door, buy a little pot of primulas.

I just put lots of stuff in the garage that would often be out or shoved in cupboards. Plastic laundry baskets, ironing board, the kitchen bin, put away toasters, air fryers, clothes horses, all shoes and coats that might be in the hall. I would just clear the decks. I’d buy fresh flowers. I would clear any sign of pets - definitely cat litter (I’ve always had cats but none shit in the kitchen, that would really put me off) dog beds, pet toys. It’s just a major declutter. If a house is desirable then posh hand lotions, designers candles probably do sell a lifestyle and it works. If it’s a run of the mill property Jo Malone candle on the coffee table won’t do anything.

Clean and cared for is what to go for. Lifestylewise you want the viewers to think you are the kind of person/people who will maintain and fix little problems with the house, not let things deteriorate out of control.

Our estate agents advice was clean the windows for both the photos and the viewings

I actually cleaned the front yesterday - ie moss / weeds etc as many OPs have said!