Just had my first viewing - think I need some tips!

bloolagoon

I have just had my first viewing which has thrown me somewhat as I was unprepared. I only signed the paperwork yesterday, photos and EPC not booked until a week on Friday. My house wasn't as I would like it (thought I had next week to remove things into storage and have boxes ready for a car boot sale this weekend).

EA rang as they had a couple who viewed another house this afternoon that they said was too small, who travelled over 80 miles and therefore asked whilst they were in the area to view.

I only had a half hour notice, so literally piled conditioner, shampoo creams into boxes and hid them, same with my piles of ironing etc.

They opened every cupboard, had tape measures and measured everything, asked loads of questions (they also found my boxes of clutter which was very embarrassing).

The questions I have is how much of you and your lifestyle should you remove? Do I remove all family photos? Does it matter if shampoo is left out? I haven't sold a house since my children were small and so there are lots of "them" in my house. Example, garden is set up for children and not adults - do I remove the playhouse, slide/climbing frame, or is it best to leave as is?

I think I was thrown today as I have always thought of my home as a family home yet this was a couple and a friend (all 3 to buy) and they were obviously expecting a more none child based home as had no details or listings etc.

I_have_spoken

You need to stage the house for sale. That means every room needs a clear role and is set-out so every part 'sells' itself. Remove most family pics etc. and clutter, viewers need to imagine their stuff in the rooms.

Until you think the house is 'sterile' and 'cold' you haven't decluttered enough.

bloolagoon

Ok - Thanks for that, I think I have a long week ahead of me and will look at using the storage rental unit I found. It's just hard to make your house "sterile".

So does this mean that I should put my gym into storage and stage the room as something else? We already have 2 defined reception rooms and a kitchen diner but we use the 3rd room as a Gym/playroom. Would it be best to maybe make this another more useable room?

cwal

Could you make the third room a study? or keep it as a playroom - atleast then it has a defined role. I'm no expert at all but maybe this may appeal to a wider spectrum of buyers where as they may struggle to view the room as a gym?
Good luck and I hope you sell quickly.

katejo

I_have_spoken wrote: »

You need to stage the house for sale. That means every room needs a clear role and is set-out so every part 'sells' itself. Remove most family pics etc. and clutter, viewers need to imagine their stuff in the rooms.

Until you think the house is 'sterile' and 'cold' you haven't decluttered enough.

Sorry but I disagree with this requirement to make the property sterile . Family photos were no problem for me and I could have seen through children's toys as long as they weren't littered everywhere of crammed into cupboards . The things which would have put me off would have been pet smells or strong cooking smells such as curry .

zzzLazyDaisy

I'm not sure I agree with the house seeming 'sterile' or 'cold' - I'd say it needs to feel welcoming, but fairly de-personalised.

You definitely need to make the best use of space. Rooms that are cluttered with too much furniture make a room seem smaller than it really is; piles of clothes/paperwork/toys suggest limited storage; too many ornaments and nick-nacks make it difficult for the viewer to imagine their own treasures around. Even in the kitchen, it is worth having clear work surfaces with just the kettle out (put everything else in a box in a cupboard and get it back out when they've gone).

I'd say lose the gym, and make the room into a defined living space - playroom; study; TV lounge, whatever, it doesn't really matter as long as viewers can see its potential to add living space.

Excited13

katejo wrote: »

Sorry but I disagree with this requirement to make the property sterile . Family photos were no problem for me and I could have seen through children's toys as long as they weren't littered everywhere of crammed into cupboards . The things which would have put me off would have been pet smells or strong cooking smells such as curry .

Completely agree as if you go too far the house feels to cold. I went to a house where they had gone magnolia mad and it had no warmth. The houses I have liked and put offers in on have had a feeling of warmth where they are clean and tidy but still have feeling about the people who live there.

I've suddenly realised I'm going loopy but this is what 6 months of house hunting and over 50 viewings does to you!

lessonlearned

Definitely don't go for the "cold and sterile" look. Your house needs to look warm, cosy and inviting. Plus of course it is still your home in the meantime.

Re the gym debate.

If it is a third reception room then I wouldn't worry too much. A study/gym is fine.......There is no reason why this should put people off.

A third reception room is very much a bonus room. Most houses only have two. How you define a third room is irrelevant, most people will be able to spot that it is an "extra" and will have their own ideas on how best to use the space.

The top priorities for the downstairs are a good kitchen, a nice lounge and somewhere to eat. Some people like a separate dining room, some people prefer a large kitchen/diner. As long as these areas are clearly defined and well presented you shouldn't have any real problems.

That extra third room is real plus. Some people will see it is a family room, some will use it as a study/hobby room, some people will stick a piano in there.

Just try and get rid of the worst of the clutter, those boxes etc

giddypenguin

Personally, when I go looking round a house I'm looking for 'will our stuff physically fit in here?', 'are there enough rooms of a decent size?', 'what lifestyle changes would we have to make to live in this house?' - if I see a shampoo bottle/family photo I'll probably think 'Ooh, they use the same/different shampoo to me/what a nice photo' NOT 'Ick, they use shampoo and have a family? This house is certainly not for me!'

As for the gym? I don't think it matters downstairs, as people can choose it to be anything they like. If it were a bedroom I'd suggest putting a bed in (sometimes it can be difficult to visualise a bed in a 'bedroom' especially box rooms)

Decoration-wise, I would suggest warm and relatively neutral - Although you may love that fluorescent orange bathroom - others may not so worth toning down. But it by no means has to be sterile/cold!

Dunroamin

Definitely use self storage. Apart from when you're selling, it makes the move itself so much easier as so much is already stored and then you can take it out gradually after you've moved.

ndf9876

As a buyer, I've tried to look at the floor space available and imagine the place completely empty. However, many people come to buy your 'home' and I'll be honest, if I saw a place that was untidy I'd have a hard time shaking that off (if the house is untidy, is that a reflection on the general upkeep?). But no, sterile doesn't work for me - the vacant possessions / new builds I looked at felt cold and more like an asset than a home where I want to start a family.

I agree with sticking a bed in something classed as a 'bedroom' (either that or set up as a study). I pretty much am the same as giddypenguin; I don't care if you have your shampoo on the side, as long as the place isn't filthy!

Popular tricks I have seen that work - scented candles or baking a loaf of bread (for the smell, not to feed the viewers!), turning certain lights on (particularly if it's darker at the time of viewing or a bit of a dull day) and, of course, the endless cleaning!