If you have your home on the market, chances are you’ve done a thorough declutter, deep clean and tidy up so it looks its very best for potential buyers. But if you also have to live in the property you’re selling, it can be difficult to keep it looking pristine for every single viewing. 

In this blog, we share our top tips for keeping on top of housework so you’re always viewing-ready!

Stay clutter-free

You’ve probably had a huge declutter to prepare for putting your home on the market. You might even be renting a storage unit. But there are some things you will need at home, particularly if you have children. 

Firstly, don’t buy anything. That new book, gorgeous handbag or craft fair candlestick will have to wait. Selling your home is more important, and if you buy anything now you’ll have to find a home for it. If you have a birthday while your house is on the market, ask your friends to take you out for a meal or bake for you instead of buying you a new possession. (Really good friends might even pay for a professional cleaner to help you out!)

If your worktops are disappearing under junk mail, used coffee cups and other stuff, you’ll need to tidy up. This can seem daunting, but try setting a timer for five minutes and doing nothing but tidying until it goes off – you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. 

Dirty dishes can pile up. If you have a dishwasher, try to only use your dishwasher-proof crockery and utensils so you can just pop it straight in instead of leaving it by the sink. You can also do a quick declutter straight into the dishwasher if you’re in a hurry!  

Your children shouldn’t have to go without toys just because you’re selling the house. Keep a large, attractive storage box where they usually play and simply throw the toys into it before a viewing. Depending on the age of your children, they might find it fun to go treasure hunting in the box later, or enjoy the responsibility of finding the right places to put everything away later. 

Keep your bathroom shining and fresh

If you’re lucky enough to have more than one bathroom, clean them all and then only use one until you find a buyer. It might be inconvenient in the short-term but if it makes you less stressed about viewings then it will be worth it. 

Keep your chosen bathroom shiny and odour-free. Open the window to let out steam and smells and stop the room from becoming damp. Keep some mild bathroom cleaner and a cloth in the bathroom and wipe round the sink and over the taps every day. Give the toilet a quick circuit with the loo brush too and squirt some air freshener. If you have a shower screen, this is the time to do your daily spray and wipe. This is an easy routine to do once or twice a day – if your bathroom was tidy to start with, it should only take a minute. 

Managing pets and their needs

We all love our pets and put up with litter trays, food bowls, squeaky toys and animal hair without batting an eyelid. But potential buyers might not be as generous, so keeping on top of pet hair and odours is an important part of keeping the house ready for a viewing.

Depending on your animals, you might need to vacuum every day. Either do it at the same time every day, or draw up a rota so the whole family can take turns. Shake some bicarbonate of soda on the carpets first to neutralise any smells. 

Keep on top of the food bowls – they can smell very strong to visitors. Try and clear away as soon as possible without upsetting your pet. It might be worth buying a couple of extra bowls so they can go in your general washing up rotation.  

As with children’s toys, dedicate a container to your pet’s toys so you can just throw those squeaky balls and fishing rods straight in before a viewing.

Sell property in Guildford

If you’re planning to sell property in Guildford, we’d love to help! To find out more, contact our friendly team on 01483 457 000 – we’d love to hear from you.