Nobody scrutinises your home quite as much as a potential buyer, whether it’s the first time they visit or when they return for a second look if they're considering making an offer.

Most homes have a few odd jobs to fix, and we’re all guilty of finding short-term workarounds that eventually lead to forgetting there was ever an issue.

Usually, that's okay. But when you're selling, a list of even small repairs can prevent buyers from making an offer, resulting in delays to your move and potentially losing you a home you’d set your heart on.

With that in mind, we’ve created this guide on the critical details sellers overlook but buyers always notice. And for easy digestion, we’ve broken them down into the following five categories:

External appearance.
Scent, temperature and freshness.
Clutter, chaos and cleanliness.
Light, space and love.
Functioning fixtures and fittings.

So, how do you think your home holds up? Let's take a closer look to see if you're already fit for the property market in the Wilton & Salisbury area, or whether there's anything you’ve missed and how to put it right.

EXTERNAL APPEARANCE

No less than 54% of buyers judge homes from the outside, and in as little as 30 seconds, which gives you a short and decisive window to set your viewings up for success. Start with the following checks.

Buyers will inspect your home’s exterior while waiting to step inside, so scan your gutters and drains for blockages, then the roof, brickwork, render and window frames for any visible flaws.
One survey says a blue front door can boost a sale price by £4,000. We’re not sure it needs to be blue, but a freshly painted front door definitely adds value and saleability.
From mossy private paths to scuffed shared hallways, remove any junk that shouldn’t be there, and add some instant foliage with potted plants for anywhere that feels bare.

It’s all about putting buyers in the right frame of mind. A home that looks well cared for outside is one they’ll be excited to further explore, without lingering suspicions of hidden costs after they move in.

SCENT, TEMPERATURE AND FRESHNESS

The air inside your home has a profound impact on the energy of viewings. Smell is the first thing buyers notice, and what they’ll remember longest, but it's not just aromas that affect their reactions.

Last night’s curry, strong pet odours and cigarette smells are all off-putting. Limit hardcore cooking to non-viewing days, keep litter trays fresh, and shampoo carpets and upholstery.
Entering a cold home in winter gets an icy response from viewers, as does a roasting hot one. Set the thermostat to 18° when you're out to keep the chill off while being mindful of energy use.
Without ventilation, the air inside your home can become stale, so leave a couple of windows securely ajar to keep a gentle trickle flowing.

Bonus tip: house plants are proven to improve air quality, and you can add a fragrant and positive lift with naturally scented reed diffusers, botanical candles, or freshly cut flowers.

CLUTTER, CHAOS AND CLEANLINESS

Nobody truly looks forward to decluttering, clearing out cupboards, or cleaning. And yet, while none of them will ever top the fun charts, they all make a massive difference to your sale. Here's why.

Too many things on too many surfaces steal attention from your rooms, so even if you can find a single thing to throw out, hide some of your stuff neatly away for now.
Dusty skirting boards, black door marks on carpets, overflowing bins, clumps of pet hair, and shoe marks on wooden floors or tiles are all mood killers. Instigate a pre-selling spring clean.
Stuffed and straining cupboards. When they're bursting at the seams, buyers can't see what they’re getting, so have a cull and bring in some order to show off your valuable storage space.

Still resisting? Well, since you’ll need to empty your home when you move, try treating decluttering as early packing, with the double bonus of adding thousands in value and speeding up your move.

LIGHT, SPACE AND LOVE

It may sound obvious, but there’s absolutely no benefit to making your home feel darker, smaller or scruffier when you're trying to sell, so check if any of the following could be spoiling your chances.

Dirty windows, net curtains, closed blinds and half-drawn drapes all reduce the amount of light coming in and obstruct the view outside, shrinking the feel of a room.
Too much furniture can cramp a room’s style, while an unfocused arrangement can block standout features, be tricky to photograph, and make it difficult to walk around.
Dried-out watermarks or black spots on ceilings and walls leave buyers wondering if more problems await, while heavily scuffed walls make interiors look unsightly and uncared for.

Simply put, buyers are drawn to homes that feel bright, spacious, and loved. So, maximising natural light, creating an open layout, and addressing visible wear and tear is a supremely smart use of your time.

FUNCTIONING FIXTURES AND FITTINGS

Just like you’d always test drive a used car to feel happy with how it performs, buyers want to check that things work before spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a home, so expect them to:

Turn on taps in kitchens, bathrooms, and shower rooms to test the water pressure and how long it takes to get hot - now is a good time to check for and remove any limescale.
Switch lights on to see whether or not they work and how effective they are - make sure every fitting has a bulb and that it's of the warm white or soft tone variety.
Try out door handles for creaks, wobbles or fails, then open and close doors to see if they fit as wood can warp over time - give yours a go to see if anything needs attention.

Minor fixes now can prevent awkward moments during viewings and reinforce the impression of a well-cared-for home, reassuring buyers that they’re making a wise, stress-free investment.

What will buyers notice about your home?

We’d love to be your fresh pair of eyes and offer constructive recommendations to increase your home's value, highlight its unique selling points, and remove potential roadblocks.

Call us on 01722 580059 or message us at info@piccoloproperty.co.uk to chat about the property market in the Wilton & Salisbury area, talk through your moving plans, and start turning them into reality.