When preparing your home for a viewing, it is important to consider curb appeal as a selling point.  Potential buyers will often decide whether or not to book a viewing based on the way the property looks from the outside, and will most likely form an opinion before stepping foot inside.  Therefore, when preparing for a viewing, home-owners should pay as much attention to the outward appearance of the property as the home itself.  For example…

• Ensure that the garden is tidy.  Mow the lawn, remove any weeds and tidy up pathways or decking.  If your property has hedges or large trees, make sure they’re trimmed neatly.  To inject some colour into your garden, consider planting some flowers or buying a hanging basket for a quick fix.
• If it’s within your budget, give the house a lick of paint – this could include window surrounds, drains, pipes and doors.
• If restoration is beyond your budget, there are a few other quick and easy ways to tidy up your property.  Cleaning your windows and doors can give your home a more polished look.  Store away any gardening tools or unnecessary garden toys, and always keep your bins out of sight.

It’s also important to be prepared to answer certain questions about your property too.  Ahead of any viewing have these pieces of information at the ready…

• The council tax band the property falls under and the subsequent cost.
• The property’s energy performance certificate.
• When the property was built.
• Whether the property is leasehold or freehold, if it’s a leasehold property, it’s also important to know long the lease has left, and how much the ground rent is per year.