With 98% of buyers starting their property search online, that first impression isn’t happening at your front door anymore – it’s happening on their phone or laptop screen.
With dozens of homes at their disposal, yours has around 3 seconds to grab a potential buyers’ attention.
At Roe & Co, we’ve seen firsthand how the right presentation can transform a property from “just another house on the market” to “we’ve got to view this one!” Today we’re sharing our best tips on making your home irresistible to buyers from that very first click.
Professional photos are your best weapon
Your property photos are your 24/7 sales team. They need to be as good as can be.
We know you’ve probably taken some lovely photos of your home with your phone, but professional property photography is a different beast altogether. At Roe & Co, we make sure your photos are spot on. We’ll edit any pictures to make them look brighter, add blue skies where needed and remove those wheelie bins that always seem to photobomb the perfect shot.
Some people ask why we don’t arrange the photos in the order you’d walk through your home. Well, it’s because when someone’s browsing online or on Rightmove, they only see the first two photos in the search results. Showing your front door followed by a hallway (unless it’s absolutely stunning) isn’t going to make many people click on your listing.
Instead, we lead with your home’s best features. Usually, that means the kitchen and bathrooms come first – these are the rooms buyers are most eager to see. We make sure yours is front and centre, looking absolutely gorgeous.
Each photo needs to tell a story about the lifestyle your home offers. A beautifully presented living room suggests cosy evenings in. A sparkling kitchen hints at family meals and entertaining friends. A pristine bathroom promises a relaxing retreat at the end of a long day.
We position furniture, adjust lighting and remove any distractions to ensure every photo showcases your home’s potential. It’s amazing what moving a cushion or opening a blind can do for a room.
How to stage your property properly
Most buyers form their opinion about your property within the first 15 seconds of viewing it. Fifteen seconds! That’s barely enough time to say hello, let alone appreciate all your home’s wonderful features.
This is where property staging comes in. It’s not about making your home look like a showroom (although a bit of showroom sparkle doesn’t hurt). It’s about helping buyers instantly visualise themselves living happily in your space.
The golden rule of staging is to declutter, but not to de-personalise completely. You want to create space for buyers to imagine their own belongings whilst still making the house feel like a home, not a sterile hotel room.
Start by removing excess items and storing them out of sight. A room that feels spacious will always be more appealing than one that feels cramped. Consider whether any large furniture pieces are making rooms feel smaller than they actually are.
Don’t worry, we’ll give you advice on how to stage your property when taking our photographs.
A fresh lick of paint
If your walls are currently sporting bold colours or busy patterns, it might be time for a fresh lick of paint. Neutral colours aren’t boring – they’re strategic. They make rooms feel lighter, bigger and allow prospective buyers to easily imagine how they’d make the space their own.
Think soft whites, gentle greys and warm creams. These colours create a blank canvas that lets buyers focus on the room’s features rather than your personal colour choices. Plus, neutral walls photograph beautifully, which brings us back to those all-important online photos.
Fix & clean
Small repairs can make a massive difference to how buyers perceive your home. Those little holes in the walls, the slightly wonky door handle or the cracked bathroom tile might seem minor to you, but they can signal ‘maintenance issues’ to a buyer.
Make a list and tackle these minor repairs before your first viewing. Fill holes, fix door handles, replace cracked tiles and address any torn or threadbare carpets. It’s also worth investing in a proper deep clean – get rid of limescale, scrub tile grout until it sparkles and hang up fresh, fluffy towels.
Don’t forget about your outdoor space either. First impressions start at the kerb, so tidy up the garden, trim back overgrown bushes, clean your patio and give the lawn a good cut. If you have outdoor furniture, give it a quick clean too.
Make your rooms light and airy
Light is absolutely crucial in making your home feel welcoming and spacious. Clean all your windows inside and out – you’ll be amazed at how much brighter your rooms look. Replace any blown light bulbs and consider adding table lamps to create a warm, cosy atmosphere.
Wall mirrors are fantastic for making rooms appear larger and lighter, especially in smaller spaces or narrow hallways. Position them strategically to reflect light and create the illusion of more space.
During viewings, open all your curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. If it’s a dull day, turn on all the lights to create a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
Creating a comfortable atmosphere
The environment during viewings is just as important as how things look. Make sure your home is at a comfortable temperature – nobody wants to view a house whilst shivering or sweltering.
Pay attention to smells too. Avoid strong cooking odours, cigarette smoke or pet-related smells during viewings. If you have pets that shed, give your home a quick vacuum to pick up any loose hairs. We absolutely love our furry friends (our office dogs might even feature in our marketing!), but not everyone shares our enthusiasm, and you don’t want potential allergies putting buyers off.
A subtle, fresh scent can work wonders – maybe some fresh flowers or a light reed diffuser. Just keep it gentle – you want buyers focusing on your beautiful home, not wondering what that overwhelming smell is.
Room-by-Room Staging Tips
Kitchen – The Heart of the Home
Clear all worktops except for perhaps a coffee machine or some fresh fruit in a bowl. Make sure all appliances are spotless and the sink is gleaming. Fresh flowers or a small plant can add life without creating clutter.
Bathrooms – Think ‘Personal Spa’
Remove all personal toiletries and cleaning products. Add fresh, matching towels and maybe a small plant if there’s natural light. Ensure everything sparkles – buyers pay particular attention to cleanliness in bathrooms.
Bedrooms – Peaceful Sanctuary
Make beds with crisp, neutral bedding. You might want to remove personal photographs and excess furniture. You want the room to feel like a peaceful sanctuary where buyers can imagine getting a good night’s sleep.
Living Areas – Comfortable and Inviting
Arrange furniture to create conversation areas and ensure clear walkways. Add some cushions and throws in neutral tones for comfort, but don’t overdo it. The goal is cosy, not cluttered.
The results speak for themselves
Properly presented homes sell faster and often achieve better prices than those that haven’t been staged. When buyers can immediately see themselves living in your space, they’re more likely to fall in love with it – and when multiple buyers fall in love with the same property, you’re in the enviable position of potentially receiving multiple offers.
Remember, you’re not just selling a house – you’re selling a lifestyle, a dream, a place where buyers can imagine creating their own happy memories. The right presentation helps transform your property from just another listing into someone’s perfect new home.
How Roe & Co makes the difference
At Roe & Co, we don’t just take some photos and hope for the best. We approach property presentation as a complete package designed to showcase your home at its absolute best.
When we value your property, we’ll walk through each room with you, offering practical staging advice tailored to your specific home. We know what buyers in Bolton and the surrounding areas are looking for, and we’ll help you highlight the features that will appeal to them most.
Our professional photography service includes editing and enhancement to make sure your home looks its absolute best online. We’ll arrange furniture for photos, remove any items that don’t add to the shot and position ourselves to capture your home’s best angles.
Throughout the selling process, we’re here to support you with ongoing advice about maintaining that perfect presentation for viewings. We know it can be challenging to keep your home viewing-ready whilst still living in it, so we’ll share practical tips to make it as manageable as possible.
Ready to get your home on the market?
If you’re thinking of selling your home and want to make sure it stands out for all the right reasons, we’re here to help. Our team at Roe & Co brings years of experience in presenting properties to their best advantage, combined with our award-winning customer service that’s earned us recognition as one of the best estate agents in North West!
Why not book a free valuation with us? We’ll not only give you an accurate assessment of your property’s value but also provide personalised advice on how to present it to attract the best possible offers. Find all the ways to contact us here.