We all know the importance of making your home look its best before taking marketing shots and for subsequent viewings. But what are the most pressing dos and don’ts of presenting your property?
We speak to our Photography Team Leader Posy about how to make your home look picture perfect and ready for potential buyers or tenants.
Clean and clutter-free
Clareville Street, South Kensington, SW7
Keeping a property tidy can make a world of difference when forming that positive first impression, both when it comes to marketing shots and viewings.
“Obviously people have to live in their properties, so there is no need to stress if it’s a bit untidy. But there is definitely a difference between a property being a little lived in and people having their personal items all over the place,” Posy reveals.
"It might be worth investing in attractive storage units..."
“And the problem can’t be solved by pushing it all into one room. Having a room that is full of furniture and miscellaneous items can leave people thinking that there isn’t enough space. For that reason, it might be worth investing in attractive storage units that work well with the style of your home. For larger items, it may even be advisable to hire separate storage space for the time when you are hosting viewings.”
There are a few things to consider when it comes to the condition of bedrooms. After all, this will be the buyer’s own private area and to see it untidy may prevent people from recognising the benefits of the room.
“Make sure the beds are perfectly made, ideally with a neutral bedspread rather than something with strong patterns or shades that might not be to everyone’s taste. A plain throw can even be placed over your regular duvet. Of course, putting clothes away is a must and try not to leave laundry out if it can be avoided,” Posy adds.
“Imagine you were walking into a hotel room. What would you want to pack away to make sure it looked more neutral and presentable?”
Where is most attention required?
“Bathrooms and kitchens often have the strongest impact on a potential buyer or tenant, so it’s important that these are presented in the best way possible. Again, storage can keep your toiletries out of sight, especially items that you wouldn’t normally want people to see. Investing in some nice soap can also add to the appeal of the room, while for the kitchen, it’s a priority not to have dirty pots and pans on the side and to have your plates and dishes stacked away or laid out neatly.”
"...asking a friendly neighbour to look after your pets for the afternoon may be worthwhile..."
As well as particular rooms, there are a few details to consider, to make sure your buyers or tenants feel comfortable when viewing their potential new home.
“Take into consideration whether there are any odours which might affect the viewers. Take care that you don’t have any smelly food left in the bin as this can be off-putting, and also think about any pets you have and whether they, despite being adorable, don’t have the freshest of scents.
If you have unruly pets, consider that some people might be allergic or even have a fear of a particular animal. So hiring a dog walker or asking a friendly neighbour to look after your pets for the afternoon may be worthwhile,” advises Posy.
Keep personal touches to a minimum
Bramshill Road, Harlesden, NW10
We all like to make our property homely, but is there such a thing as too much personality in your home?
“Keep personal touches to a minimum”
“Personal touches are fine, but try to keep them to a minimum. Aim not to have too many personal photos and children’s artwork on show, because it’s important that the viewer can imagine themselves living there. There are a few tried and tested tips that make a property that bit more appealing though.
Fruit bowls filled with fresh fruit and a vase with fresh flowers really do help. You could even put out bowls filled with chocolates for that delicious scent to spread throughout the room - it all adds to the viewing experience. Scented candles and diffusers are good, but make sure they aren’t too overpowering. A subtly scented diffuser in the corner can provide a pleasant constant in the background. And finally, it’s a total cliché, but freshly baked goods always create a warm and inviting atmosphere in a home,” Posy says. And you get to eat them afterwards!
Final considerations
What else is there to keep in mind? Everyone has different opinions on what they want in a home, but there are certainly a few things that most people will agree on.
“Consider changing your no-shoes policy during viewings period. A lot of people feel uncomfortable taking their shoes off, so will potentially be very quick on the viewing and miss out on the details that might potentially encourage them to purchase or rent it,” Posy says.
You also want the property to look as pleasant and welcoming as possible.
“Keeping the curtains and blinds open creates a pleasant, light-filled atmosphere as soon as someone enters the room. Perhaps if you’re showing the property on a gloomier day, keep some soft lamps on. It’s also important to keep the property at a good temperature; too warm or too cold and the viewer will be desperate to get back out.”
"If every room has a different bold shade of colour, it can be a little overwhelming for a potential buyer or tenant"
And ultimately, remember the person viewing won’t necessarily like what you like!
“Be careful with colours and patterns. Some feature walls might work, but neutral interiors with furniture and accessories are known to work better. If every room has a different bold shade of colour, it can be a little overwhelming for a potential buyer or tenant, and they will remember the property in that way. A quick repaint might be advisable, or even just swapping out some of your more vibrant decorations. It may make all the difference between picking yours or a similar property where they can envisage their own style in,” Posy advises.
Madeley Road, Ealing Broadway, W5
What seems to be the most important in all of these instances is the ability to see your property from an outsider’s perspective. After all, we’ve all viewed properties to buy or rent before, so it shouldn’t be too hard to put yourself in your buyer’s or tenant’s shoes.
Posy ends with the advice to “think about what gave you good and bad impressions when you were viewing.” If you wouldn’t like to see it in your new home, then make sure it’s not in the property you’re open for viewings!
For some examples of our most beautiful properties, take a peek at our Home Inspiration section.
