After years in the same home, it’s easy to stop noticing the things a potential buyer sees immediately. Cluttered surfaces, an overgrown garden or a spare room used for storage can make a home feel smaller and less appealing.
Preparing your house for an open home gives you a chance to look at it through a buyer’s eyes and make a few changes before they arrive. You don’t need to make it look as though nobody lives there; the goal is simply to present a clean, welcoming and well-maintained home where buyers can picture themselves living.
1. Start Before You List
Don’t wait until the sign goes up before you start preparing. Give yourself time to work through the jobs gradually rather than trying to tackle everything at once. Walk through your home with fresh eyes and look for anything which could make a buyer think, “I’ll have to fix this.” Loose handles, dripping taps, scuffed walls, broken fittings and peeling paint are all worth dealing with. Small jobs can make a big difference to the overall impression.
2. Declutter Ruthlessly
After years in the same home, possessions have a habit of multiplying. Books, ornaments, paperwork, appliances and family memorabilia can gradually take over every available surface, making rooms feel smaller and more crowded than they really are. When you’re preparing your home for sale, it is worth asking yourself what you really need on display and what could be packed away, donated or moved elsewhere. Don’t simply shift everything into another room, because buyers will look inside cupboards and wardrobes too. If you haven’t used something for years, now may be the time to donate it, sell it or let it go.
Pay particular attention to the kitchen. Clear the benchtops, clean the stovetop and oven, polish the sink and taps, and remove magnets and paperwork from the fridge.
If the house still feels crowded, consider storing some belongings elsewhere for a few months. You’ll make the home feel more spacious and get some packing done early.
3. Give It a Good Clean
A genuinely clean home creates a feeling of care. Work through one room at a time, washing windows and curtains, dusting light fittings, wiping cupboards and giving kitchens and bathrooms a thorough clean. Pay attention to things you may have stopped noticing: cobwebs, fingerprints, dusty vents and grimy window tracks. Polish door handles, taps and other fittings where a little extra shine can help.
Fresh air is preferable to strong artificial fragrances. Open windows when practical and make sure rubbish, pet odours and lingering cooking smells have been dealt with before viewers arrive.
4. Boost Your Street Appeal
First impressions begin before buyers reach the front door. Stand outside and look at your property as though you are seeing it for the first time. Is the entrance welcoming? Is the garden tidy? Is the pathway clear? Put away wheelie bins, recycling boxes and children’s toys. Sweep paths and driveways, remove weeds and trim overgrown plants. If garden beds are looking tired, a fresh layer of mulch or bark can give them an instant lift.
Don’t forget outdoor living areas. Sweep the deck or patio, clean outdoor furniture, put away pet beds and tidy garden tools so buyers can imagine themselves enjoying the space.
5. Finish the Little DIY Jobs
Loose cupboard handles, squeaky doors, dripping taps and scuffed walls may seem insignificant, but a collection of unfinished jobs can make buyers wonder what else needs attention. Make a list of the jobs you’ve been putting off and work through it. You don’t need to renovate the entire house; concentrate on inexpensive repairs and maintenance which make the property feel cared for.
6. Depersonalise
Buyers need room to imagine the house as their own. You don’t need to remove every photograph, but thinning out family pictures, certificates, collections and ornaments will keep attention on the house rather than your belongings. The aim isn’t to create a sterile showroom, simply put away anything particularly personal or distracting.
Bathrooms deserve special attention. Remove from sight toothbrushes, toiletries, medicines and personal care products wherever possible. A clear bathroom feels larger and cleaner.
7. Get Into Open-Home Mode
Once your home is on the market, tidiness becomes part of everyday life. Keep washing in the laundry basket, washing machine or cupboard rather than draped over furniture or drying racks. Clear dirty dishes, make the beds and put everyday clutter away. Keep wardrobes and cupboards reasonably tidy too. Buyers will look inside storage areas, and an overstuffed cupboard can suggest a shortage of space.
8. Make Every Room Count
Buyers often begin their search with a number in mind: three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a separate office or perhaps a garage. Once they arrive, they need to see the value of every space. A spare bedroom piled with boxes or a dining room doubling as storage can be a missed opportunity. Give each room a clear purpose so buyers can see how they might use it. If necessary, rearrange, borrow or temporarily hire furniture to demonstrate the potential.
9. Create the Feeling of Space
Buyers are not simply looking at your furniture; they are buying the space around it. The more floor and surfaces they can see, the larger a room is likely to feel. Could a side table, footstool, occasional chair or bulky piece be removed for the duration of the sale? Perhaps you can downsize your coffee table to make your living room look more spacious?
Remove items stored on top of cupboards and wardrobes, and organise garages and sheds so buyers can see the available storage.
10. Let There Be Light
Light can change the entire feeling of a home. Pull back curtains and blinds, clean the windows and make the most of natural light. Check every light fitting and replace blown bulbs. Make sure darker areas such as hallways and bathrooms are adequately lit, and turn on some lights before viewers arrive, particularly on a dull day.
Remember, your listing photographs create a first impression too. Before the photographer arrives, clear kitchen benches, hide rubbish and recycling bins, make the beds properly, remove visible cables and pet items, and open curtains and blinds.
You don’t need to make your home perfect. You simply want buyers to notice its best features rather than the jobs still waiting to be done. A good clean, less clutter, some fresh air and plenty of light can go a long way towards making the right first impression.