Getting ready for viewings - Hopefully

mumofthetwins

Hi
Just after any advice... sorry about the long thread ...
The EA has been and taken the pics he is sending the description and pics for review monday and hopefully straight on the market
Well i am now thinking is there anything in perticular i should do to prepare for viewing .. if and when i get any
I tend to keep the house clean and tidy in anyway so thats not really an issue as i think i could be ready within 15-30 mins for an viewing, but i was wondering if there is anything else i should do ( the bits you dont normally see )
Today i have tidyed our wardrobe, drawers, bedside cabinets and shoe/bag cuboard (in loft eve) and kids drawers .. just inase they look in them. I have also done all the downstairs & kitchen cuboards - i have packed away all the junk in them and they look much more organised and cleaner now. I also restained the decking ...
Now im thinking is there anything else
what about :
Oven, fridge, microwave
loft cuboards are full so i dont really want to do them too much - one loft has some space and it looks large from the hatch.
A couple of the storage cuboards are pretty full too but you can see in and its just boxes.
The front garden has the grass cut a few new bedding plants in and a fresh coat of paint on the gate.
Anything else ????

Also is there anything i should do to stage the house on viewing days ... i am being optomistic

Thanks for any advice
Lisa

Catblue

Clean windows inside and out.

Keep surfaces as free of clutter as you can manage.

Open all windows for a while every day to air the place out.

If you are struggling for time before a viewing, then prioritise. Make sure the bathrooms/kitchen are sparkling - nobody is going to care about a bit of dust on the bedroom skirting board but they will notice if your bathroom mirror is manky.

Good luck.

go_cat

make it smell nice and remove any pets !

Good luck

motherofstudents

Don't overstage it imo. I think it suggests desperation if you view a house where the table is set, coffee brewing, bread in the oven etc. Just try to act as normally as possible (as if you sell houses all the time) and be positive. I think it gives off a good vibe if you like your house and are relaxed and comfortable in it.

steve1980

No one cares abouts what in the wardrobes or drawers.

Your agent took pictures on Friday but saw the house and took details Monday /Tuesday and you've still got to wait until next week to see anything? Madness.

googler

mumofthetwins wrote: »

Today i have tidyed our wardrobe, drawers, bedside cabinets and shoe/bag cuboard (in loft eve) and kids drawers .. just inase they look in them. I have also done all the downstairs & kitchen cuboards - i have packed away all the junk in them and they look much more organised and cleaner now. I also restained the decking ...
Now im thinking is there anything else
what about :
Oven, fridge, microwave

It's OK in my book for viewers to look in wall cupboards, built-in wardrobes, or fitted kitchen cabinets, but opening any freestanding item of furniture that isn't included in the sale is a definite no-no, in my view.

Viewers will look in the oven. It's reasonable for you or the agent (if they're doing the viewings) to open up any integrated kitchen appliances to show which appliance is behind which door, but again, unless specifically included in the sale, I think it's plain rude for a viewer to look in a freestanding fridge.....

mumofthetwins

Thanks for the replies
I think inside the oven and fridge will be the jobs for today.
I've never sold a house before so am new to all this:D
Thanks
Lisa

blargh

motherofstudents wrote: »

Don't overstage it imo. I think it suggests desperation if you view a house where the table is set, coffee brewing, bread in the oven etc.

I think visitors appreciate that kind of effort, however cheesy it may seem!

One thing I'd really recommend is hiring some trained budgies to perch on your shoulders and then when entering the bedroom have them tuck in the bedsheets. Most people of house-buying age grew up on Disney movies and this kind of thing works like a charm. Only the truly cynical would view it as a desperation tactic imo.

girl_withno_name

go_cat wrote: »

make it smell nice and remove any pets !

Good luck

And any kids if possible... one hit me yesterday = unimpressed!

mumofthetwins

girl_withno_name wrote: »

And any kids if possible... one hit me yesterday = unimpressed!

Ow that isnt very good - i supose youll remember the vist though:eek:

We dont have any pets and we can just drop the kids at my parents whilst viewings are on so thats good.

Not sure about the budgies as i dont want feathers all over

One question do you normally ask people if they would like a drink - only teas or coffees nothing harder or do people just come look and go ... Just we have a built in coffee machine in the kitchen but as i dont drink coffee i dont know how to work it ... just thinking i might have to get hubbie to show me how to use it, it probobly wont look good getting the nescafe out ... :rotfl:
Lisa

StevenMarks

I've only once been offered a drink when viewing on a very hot, sunny summer's day.

I've never offered a drink to anyone; sold three properties although last one I was 200 miles away for all viewings which were done by agent.