Preparing a home for viewings

What people notice first

Most viewers never open the oven. They notice light, smell and the small things that suggest how a home has been looked after: marks on glass, dust on skirting boards, limescale on a tap, a tired-looking bathroom. Clean glass and bright bathrooms make rooms feel bigger and newer, and they look much better in listing photos.

Before the photos

• Glass and mirrors streak-free, inside and out where possible, so rooms photograph bright
• Kitchen worktops cleared and polished, the hob and sink shining
• Bathrooms descaled, towels folded, toilet lid down
• Beds made with pressed, plain linen
• Floors cleaned last, after everything above them

Room by room

Entrance

The first thing every viewer sees. Clean the door, handle, letterbox and the glass beside it, sweep the step, and clear the hallway of coats and shoes.

Kitchen

Clear worktops, clean cupboard fronts and handles, polish the sink and tap, and make sure the fridge and oven are clean, because some viewers do open them.

Bathrooms

Descale taps, screens and shower heads, clean grout and silicone, and polish mirrors. A fresh bathroom does more for a viewing than almost anything else.

Living areas and bedrooms

Dust from the top down, wipe skirting, switches and sockets, open curtains fully, and remove personal items where possible so viewers can picture themselves living there.

Keeping it ready between viewings

If the property is on the market for weeks, a short regular reset keeps it viewing-ready: glass, bathrooms, kitchen surfaces and floors. For empty properties, one visit a week stops dust building up.

How Marinel helps

We prepare homes and apartments for photos and viewings, and keep them ready while they're on the market, with a photo report after every visit that agents can send straight to the owner. How we work with agents and managers, or request a quote.