Before a Viewing

Let in light! Open blinds and curtains wide. If the room looks dark in winter light a fire or use subtle lighting to brighten up dark corners – these can become cosy retreats with a bit of imagination.

Make sure the house is clean and tidy.

Eliminate smells! Remove pets’ bedding and food bowls. Open the windows for a couple of hours before a viewing and use a scented room spray too if necessary - though more delicious smells can be created by baking almonds, making fresh coffee, or heating some croissants before people arrive.

Get a friend to look after your pet(s) - people are often allergic to animals, and they tend to get in the way as well, so see if they can stay somewhere else during a viewing.

Create calm. Loud noise can be distracting, so turn off the TV, send the children to play with friends and have some mellow jazz or classical music playing quietly in the background.

During a Viewing

Find out as much as you can about the viewers: their ages, where they are from, whether they have children, etc. Think about what they may ask you and have some answers prepared. Be ready to tell them about the neighbourhood, the local schools, sports and leisure facilities, shops, public transport, etc.

Keep internal doors partly closed so viewers cannot see into all the rooms at once (it creates an impression of a larger house).

Let viewers enter rooms first so they feel less crowded and the room seems more spacious.

Point out the individual features of your home - if a room is especially sunny for example, or how cosy it is in winter with a big open fire, or if there’s a good view from a particular window.

Sell a lifestyle. Tell viewers how much you enjoy the garden, or how you can host large parties in the spacious living room, or how peaceful it is in the conservatory.

Find positive aspects to everything. If you live in a busy town centre, point out that you can just pop out to the shops or walk to restaurants without having to drive (especially if you don’t have off-road parking). If you live in a village, talk about the services available such as newspaper and milk deliveries, the great country walks you can do or that there’s a local pub that does really good food.

Avoid the hard sell at all times. If you appear desperate to sell, viewers will pick up on this and you are unlikely to get the price you want.

Try not make negative comments either, such as 'I won’t accept any offers less than the asking price' or 'We can’t move until we find the right house'.

Most important of all, leave negotiating to your agent. We have the experience and the market knowledge to know exactly how far to push a potential buyer. We always ask for feedback from viewers in any event, after they have seen a property, and we’ll pass on their comments to you, good or bad.