How to prepare your property for viewings: A seller's checklist

Having chosen the right agent and brought your property to the market, the next stage is preparing for viewings. Ensuring your home is presented in the best possible light can play an important role in shaping buyer perception and encouraging offers. Sam McCreadie, Office and Sales Manager, details some key points to remember when preparing your home for vewings below:

First impressions
First impressions really do count! Ensuring that the approach to the property is clear and welcoming, with space for prospective purchasers to park where possible, helps to create a positive initial experience.

Lights
Depending on the time of day and season, lighting should be considered carefully. Ensuring rooms are well lit allows buyers to view the property at its best and appreciate the space and layout more fully.

Focus on key rooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are often key decision-making spaces for buyers. Presenting these rooms in a clean, tidy and uncluttered manner is essential to maximising their appeal.

Fireplaces and woodburners
During the colder months, a lit fire or woodburner can add warmth and atmosphere to a viewing. This can help to create a homely feel and allow prospective purchasers to better connect with the property.

Gardens
Where a property benefits from outside space, it is important to present this as an extension of the home. Simple steps such as mowing the lawn and arranging garden furniture can help demonstrate how the space can be used and enjoyed.

Finishing touches
Smaller details can contribute positively to the overall impression. For example, fresh flowers or subtle finishing touches can help create a sense of care and presentation, as well as a feeling of the home being lived in without appearing overly staged.
 

What to do when someone is viewing your house

Sellers often ask how best to approach viewings. In most cases, we recommend that initial viewings are conducted by the agent, with the seller not present. This allows prospective purchasers to view the property in a relaxed environment, ask questions openly and provide candid feedback. In turn, this enables the agent to better understand buyer requirements and respond accordingly.

This also reinforces the importance of selecting the right agent to represent your property. For further guidance on this, please refer to our article on how to choose the right estate agent, which can be found HERE.

Pets
Where possible, pets should be removed from the property during viewings. This helps to ensure a smooth experience for all viewers, particularly those with allergies or concerns. If this is not possible, keeping pets in a separate room and informing the agent in advance is recommended.

Keys
Ensuring that keys for all access points are readily available will allow viewings to proceed efficiently and without disruption, contributing to a positive overall impression.

Follow-up viewings

A second or third viewing can be an appropriate time for the seller to be present, particularly if more detailed or technical questions arise that only you are able to answer.

Ultimately, careful preparation and attention to detail can help ensure that each viewing presents your property to its very best, supporting stronger levels of engagement from prospective buyers.
 

For more help and advice on preparing your property for viewings, contact your local Stags office, who would be pleased to assist.

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