HELP! I'm a slattern and a surveyor is coming tomorrow to value property - how tidy does the house have to be?

[babypowder]

We're not trying to sell, but we have applied for additional lending to allow us to extend the house. Ours isn't the tidiest house due to it being too small for 4 people and having little storage - which is why we want to extend!

Should the house look like a showhouse (in which case I might as well give up now), or is the chap simply going to measure up and give a value?

Obviously, I'll make sure the dusting is done and there's no rubbish hanging about

He will measure and value but the state of the house is a factor in the value. I wouldn't think you need to go to showhouse standards but I would suggest you declutter as much as you can - the bottom of the wardrobe is a great place to hide piles of stuff that is normally out (as long as they are not built in as he may need to see inside those to see the sate of the walls behind IYSWIM)

Right. Bugger. Off to declutter. Wish me luck!

I am sure it is not as bad as you are thinking right now!

Step back in an hour, I bet you are loads further than you expect! (remamber 15 minutes a room )

Mind you, knowing my luck, he will pop his head round the door and say "right, done" (I did have one valuation where the didn't even come into the house, just drove past, because one of the neighbours had had a full valuation doen within 1 month of ours with the same company! (they didn't give me a refund though!)

Have extricated myself from the tip the children laughingly call a bedroom. Bottom of wardrobe already covered with sh*te.

Back into the fray ...

Just think how good you feel when he has gone tomorrow and it is all still done!

If you have crap everywhere, it will make the place look smaller so any cupboard you have, fill it with stuff!!

I would try and make the kitchen and bathroom look clean and uncluttered - again anything on the floor will make rooms look smaller. Don't have anything in the way when the surveyor walks around (such as shoes on floor, mats/furniture placed too close to door etc).

I prefer to think of it as objets Will clear toys off floors next. Thanks for the tips

Hope it is going well Babypowder!

Just have to finish our bedroom this morning then shove the last few things into the loft!

Thanks for all your encouragement.