One of the most important factors in selling your home are regular open homes. Inspections are like a first date - you only have one chance to make a great first impression, so make sure you set yourself up for success!

When preparing your property, make sure you tick off this checklist: 

• Clean your property
  
  • It seems obvious, but make sure you clean your property thoroughly before opening your home up for inspection. You’ll be surprised how much better your house will look after a good clean!
  • In addition to your usual cleaning tasks of dusting, vacuuming and scrubbing, make sure you don’t forget the insides of cupboards, ovens and wardrobes. Some buyers may be extra curious, and it will show the property has been taken care of.
  • Remove any clutter, shoes and trip hazards from the floor. Clear out the mailbox and empty rubbish bins - also make sure you move your bins out of sight for the inspection, as they are often one of the first things people notice when arriving.
  • When cleaning, don’t forget your outside area! Make sure all outdoor areas look neat and tidy, including the front of your property.
  • The best way to organise your cleaning is to have a big clean in advance of your first open home. After that, keep it up and keep your place in a good condition for the following inspections - it won’t take too much time to refresh your home after that first big clean.
• Ensure there is fresh air and natural light
  • If your home feels stuffy and dark, there’s a big chance buyers will head straight for the door. Make sure you air out your home thoroughly before the inspection, so it feels as clean and fresh as possible.
• Remove unpleasant smells
  • A lot of people focus only on the visual aspects of an inspection, making sure everything looks amazing. Whilst this is of major importance, it’s vital not to forget about the smell of your home. Remove any unpleasant or strong smells from your home and air it out. You may want to add a nice touch to your home through candles, diffusers, air fresheners or flowers. Just make sure you don’t go overboard with any strong smells, as this can be off-putting for some people.
  • If you have pets, your home may have a noticeable smell that you’re accustomed to. This can potentially put off some buyers. Remove your pets from the property during the inspection and aim to get rid of any smells.
• Set the right temperature
  • Keep an eye on the temperature and try to make the temperature inside your home as comfortable as possible. You want to demonstrate that your property can effortlessly cope with the climate around it, whether it’s a hot or cold day outside.
  • If it’s a hot summer day, turn on the air conditioning and fans where possible. If it’s a chilly winter day, try to get your property to a comfortable room temperature.
• Be ready to head out
  • When the time of the inspection arrives, be prepared to head out for a while whilst the inspection takes place. This gives potential buyers the chance to walk around your property and imagine it as their own, without feeling like they’re walking around in your space.
  • If you don’t want to leave, that’s okay. You can consider setting up an area in the home or outdoor area where you can stay during the inspection whilst buyers explore your property. This way, you’ll be around if people want to have a chat, but not so close that people feel they cannot browse in peace.

If you would like any advice on preparing your property for sale or you're interested in getting your free property price report get in touch with me.