Advice for house viewings

[Movinghomes]

Our house went on the market early this morning and the Estate Agents have since run to say they'd like to book in 5 viewings for first thing Monday. Is there any advice seasoned successful sellers have for the viewings?

FWIW, following very useful Mumsnet advice on house listings and photos - our house has undergone a transformation pretty much in prep for the listings. A humungous amount of decluttering has occurred, and all rooms looking really beautiful currently with zero clutter, nice bedding, nicely made up beds, crisp kitchen and so on. The lawn is a bit muddy/patchy at this time of year but we laid seed in bits and its already spouting - but not on time for Monday! Our bare cherry blossom will be blooming any time now though.

With this in mind any advice to prime house for viewings?

1. We have a small Shih Tzu - whose bed, bowls and leashes will obviously leave the house alongside ShihTzu herself. We dont use AirWick etc as DH very sensitive to chemical smells - but anything you'd advice? Does washing out throws and cushion covers the day before make a difference? Or maybe a specific scented or non-scented candle lit during the hours before? Not that we think or have been told ShihTzu smells but then who'd say that?!
2. What about things like kitchen bins and loo bins? We could hide loo bins and brushes in airing cupboard etc but they might look in there anyway? Kitchen bins?
3. What about built in storage? Third bedroom's built in storage "den", airing cupboard and pantry - should we properly tidy etc inside so it doesnt look like murdered bodies have been shoved in there - in case they look?
4. Estate agents advised us not to remove pictures for the Rightmove listing as they said it shows a beloved family home (we dont have lots of personal pictures) - and clearly the listing works - so I take it that we dont strip the walls entirely? It is quite minimal anyway.
5. Anything else?

Have the windows open as much as possible between now and the viewing and leave them open a crack during the actual viewing.

I'd say to leave bins. They will root about in cupboards anyway and best for people to be able to see that there is space for such things, especially with a larger kitchen bin. You want people to see that it's big enough to actually live in. Loo brushes, I would put away or at least tuck round the back / side of the toilet. Toothbrushes / toothpaste / cosmetics / brushes - put away in a drawer or at least a container of some description.

Clear kitchen countertops - we usually leave the breadmaker, juicer and blender out but I put them all away so it showed a nice long space for food prep.

Open windows well before to get air flowing through the house. Consider leaving one or two open for the viewing, but only if you live in peaceful surroundings where you can hear birdsong rather than road noise.

Sounds like you have most bases covered already. Good luck with the viewings.

thanks all! Yes, very quiet residential cul-de-sac so zero traffic really. Lush green fields just behind the (south-facing) garden - so will remember to leave a window or two open.

Just make sure it’s clean and tidy.

Ultimately if someone is going to buy it then they’ll buy it. A bin in the kitchen , or a cupboard crammed full of stuff isn’t going to stop them.

Air the house well this weekend.

Clean and tidy, cushions plumped and beds made neatly. Clean windows.

Random coats and shoes put away.

Empty bins.

Quick spray with febreze an hour before.

Comfy temp, not too cold but not over warm.

Loo seats DOWN and towels neatly folded.

Vase of fresh flowers.

Outside swept and weed free.

Put bedside lamps and table lamps in key rooms on for showing.

Make sure any built in wardrobes don't look too crammed.

Ensure there is an easy parking space - move a vehicle if needed.

We removed bins and laundry basket etc to the boot of the car for viewings. Agree with opening windows to make the house smell fresh for viewings

I think if you do present it as clean and tidy and a bunch of flowers it shows respect for the viewings! I feel if I was trying to buy somewhere the thought that you had put in the effort to present it well leaves a nice glow inside.

And good luck. The fact that you are asking shows so much consideration etc.

This.

Thanks so much !! All excellent advice and will definitely do all these things .

I think moving the bins out of sight is a bit ott, just make sure they are empty and don't smell .

100% agree with making parking as easy as possible, or they will be put off before the even get out of the car.

I've never not sold a house in 5 days in the past and I attribute it to a nice bit of fresh rituals diffusers a few days before , a bit of fresh air, very tidy , cooked toast and fresh coffee in the morning so it smelt lived in but nice, and the soft sound of Crosby stills and Nash on my Alexa discretely on in the background- lol!!

Hi OP, I sold my house at the beginning of Feb and I left my house as it was advertised (it's never been so clean!!🤣) and did all of the below to make it appealing to viewers:

• open all windows and close 30 minutes before viewing
• if it's a cold day, crank the heating on 15 minutes before viewers and turn off before arrival
• remove dog bed, bowls, dog toys, dog leads etc and put in the cupboard under the stairs or somewhere out of sight
• empty all bins and replace bin liner so it's fresh
• we have blankets on the sofa for our dogs so got rid of that and cleaned the sofa and sprayed (so it didn't smell like dogs)
• vacuumed carpet
• light up oil candle and let it burn for about 30 minutes, blow out 30 minutes before first viewing
• wash dishes and empty the dish rack
• clear kitchen worktops (apart from appliances)
• sweep hard floor and mop (last thing to do)
• make bed, blankets, fluff pillows
• make sure clothes are put away and bed side tables are cleared and clean
• clean toilet, bleach and seat down
• towels packed away

I also did not have the dogs at the viewings, I walked them when there was viewings as I appreciate not everyone is a dog lover. I also understand that not everyone wants to walk into a house they want to potentially buy and it look and smell like dogs live in it to be put off.

Fresh flowers and fill fruit bowls

It sounds like you are doing everything right - good luck, let us know how you get on!

Vanilla scented candle lit an hour before viewing and blown out 15 minutes before.

I had "stunt" things...new towels, posh full loo rolls, perfectly ironed duvet covers, new soap dispensers, fruit no-one was allowed to eat...etc.
All stuff you can use in a new house (well maybe not the fruit), but used to " dress" the old one.

If your dog has been allowed on carpet then get these cleaned.

We did this too! Very much enjoyed finally getting to use all the posh towels and toiletries after we'd moved...

Please tell me you had a stunt pineapple too !🤣

I didn't, but I thought about it! 😀

Dressing table with only posh perfume or posh cream on it.

Bathrooms with posh toiletries, posh towels, electric toothbrush hidden.
Fresh flowers, clear worktops
Clean blinds and windows, vacuum everywhere, dust everywhere.

We had a stunt duvet cover it was a marvelous white waffle duvet cover. Then our duvet got damaged in the move and DH replaced it with one a different size so I still haven't got to use it

I'm not sure if it worked as the guy that bought our house is actually going to demolish most of it and then it into flats so I don't think he was imagining himself living there it worrying about things like duvet covers when he looked round.