Prepare Your House for Sale: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ruth Lawrence
3 days ago
3 min read

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter. Preparing your home for sale doesn’t just make it look nicer—it can actually help it sell faster and for a better price. Whether you’re in Ascot, Sunningdale, Virginia Water, Windlesham, or surrounding areas, a well-presented, clutter-free space is key to attracting serious buyers.

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to help you get your home market-ready.

Declutter to Create Space and Calm

Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your space. Too much clutter can make a home feel smaller and distract from its best features. Start with the basics:

Clear countertops, shelves, and floors.
Remove personal items like excess shoes, paperwork, and children’s toys. A good tip for this is to keep a large basket for doing a 'sweep' before viewings. This will mean that you can actually live in your home without stress.
Donate or recycle items you no longer need. Booking a charity collection service like Anglo Doorstep Collections is so helpful as you can simply bag or box items and leave them outside to be collected for free.
If you have huge amounts of furniture, clutter, appliances and other random items to dispose of - I recommend Just Clear because they sort everything, recycle things properly and make sure furniture can be reused if possible. They are a far more sustainable option than a skip, and often cheaper too.

A professional decluttering service can help you work through this efficiently, especially if you're overwhelmed or short on time.

Depersonalise Without Making It Cold

While you want your home to feel warm and welcoming, overly personal décor can be off-putting.

Pack away most family photos and personal collections.
Use neutral tones and simple styling to appeal to a wide range of buyers.
Make sure rooms are used for their designed purpose (eg dining rooms, offices) so people can imagine their own furniture and life in it.

Deep Clean Every Room

A spotless home feels well cared for and move-in ready. Focus on:

Kitchens and bathrooms (these sell homes!)
Floors, skirting boards, and windows
Light fixtures and switches

If time is tight, hire a professional cleaner—this investment can pay off.

Stage Key Spaces for Maximum Impact

If it's not realistic for you to hire a home staging company. Small, intentional updates can make a big difference:

Add fresh towels and a plant to the bathroom.
Use lamps and mirrors to enhance natural light.
Add cushions and throws to create a homely feel in the lounge or bedrooms.

Organise Storage Areas

Yes, buyers may look in cupboards, wardrobes, and even the loft to see what storage your home has to offer. Show off your storage by:

Keeping cupboards half-full and neatly arranged
Organising wardrobes by colour or category
Changing to matching hangers to keep a streamlined appearance
Labelling storage boxes in a tidy way

This is where home organisation services really shine, turning chaos into calm and showing off your home’s full potential.

Fix the Small Stuff

Minor repairs can raise red flags for buyers. Before listing, fix:

Leaky taps or squeaky doors
Peeling paint or chipped tiles
Any obvious signs of wear and tear

Boost Your Curb Appeal

First impressions start before they walk through the door:

Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and add some potted plants
Clean the front door, windows, and driveway
Ensure your house number is visible and tidy

Need a Hand Getting Your Home Sale-Ready?

Preparing your home for sale doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Happy Home Ascot, we specialise in decluttering, home organisation, and move preparation. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or simply want to make a great impression, we’re here to help.