What would attract you to a house

Handy for you GANNET

For me,no neighbours, a huge garden, and a downstairs shower plus an entrance suite.

En suite

Clutter and dust

Location, light and space.

When location,decor,gardens are acceptable there’s a feeling that it is right

I’m surprised that no one has said that you can have a very good look at a property that you might be interested in on Rightmove, or similar. We moved four years ago and saved ourselves and others a lot of time by making sure the property had at least most of our wish list, off street parking being top of the list. It still took us quite a while, but it could have been worse as you can get some idea from photos and layouts to see if it’s at least a possibility.

I sincerely believe that you end up with the right property for you in the end, however long it takes. We did!

First impressions if street looks clean etc neighbors seem friendly. House looks like it’s being loved. My last one was standing near by and someone spoke to me. But then if I’m interested in somewhere I go look around different times of day. I’m not worried about decorating because that’s going to be done by my style. Garden is normally first thing ppl see.

Hi - this is my first posting as I have just joined Gransnet and am enjoying it.
In the USA sellers often employ stagers to help them to sell. As others have already said, de clutter, no damage, neutral colours, tidy garden.
Wishing you a stress-free move.

Location, size and if the orientation was good for the light. Most internal stuff can be changed, if not listed or conservation area then the outside can always be changed as well. I'd also go for a garden and garage, off street parking etc depending on lifestyle. The interior - if not a bungalow, I'd want a downstairs as well as an upstairs bathroom and the chance to put in a small lift or room to live downstairs as I got older and more decrepit. Narrow hallways and doors are a total pain if you have wheelchairs.

As well as all the things mentioned already I look for enough storage, including a cloakroom where outdoor clothes and shoes can be put away. If I see a vacuum or ironing board tucked in a corner it’s a no for me.
Others have mentioned cat smells, I’d add dog smells too. although I adore dogs they can pong, especially when wet!
Busy road close by, I’d be ill from the traffic fumes.
I can look past clutter as long as it’s clean and smells fresh. Rubbish in the garden would put me off though.

Size, proximity to services, no serious survey problems and preferably some historic features.

No clutter and removing unnecessary furniture can make a room look more spacious but you need to show the purposes a room can be used for eg that a kitchen is big enough for a table and a bedroom can take a double bed. People who dress houses for sale often remove the wardrobes if they are not built in but I look out for that. Pointing out storage is good. If it is cluttered and rammed to the ceilings it looks as if you have not enough storage. Houses look good if you can walk freely through them and from room to room without furniture blocking doorways, stairs and views through the house. Symmetry pleases the eye. And toning and matching colours. A few new things, cheap cushion covers and accessories, can achieve that. I once looked round a house covered and stinking with cats poo.But that wouldn’t have put me off if the unchangeable things had been right, people often buy houses and then change them completely. I wouldn’t worry too much. Good luck.

People are talking about all sorts of things they look for that you can’t change, I think you were thinking about how best to present your house, weren’t you?

Having 'done up', as a single woman, two previous properties it would now have to be in ready to move in condition, I couldn't face doing it all again! Clean, tidy and modern for me?

Welcome Moleary .

Sticking with things that the OP can work with (she can't create a view or move the house to a different location), I agree about not having vacuum cleaners or ironing boards in living spaces. Fine in a utility room or similar functional space, but not in the corner of the kitchen - it does give the impression that the place is too small and lacks storage.

Given the number of people who have mentioned location and view on a thread about interior presentation, however, I think that if a house is in a grotty area with a view of an abattoir and people are coming to view, then there must be something else that attracts them (proximity to a school, major employer or station?) so I would try to work out how to appeal to that. Get copies of timetables from the station to show how easy it is to get to places, print the OFSTED reports of the school and the others up the chain (if good , and find out transport links or walking distance to the employer, and leave little packs for the agent to give to viewers.

If you do have a view, it might be a good plan to take photos through the seasons, even if not ready to sell - it's too late to get pictures of trees in bloom if you want to put it on the market in December.

Location is everything. I’d not consider an attached house, or a shared driveway or very near a pub.
I’d not look at an immaculate home, what are they hiding. My friend had large cracks in a living room on an outside wall and had it re plastered.
I’d want a detached home. Good internet connection. Near a bus route for when I’m older. Near shops, church.
I’d check our neighbours and children can be noisy so no neighbours with babies.

Cons cost of repairs/updates like roof and boiler. Pros square footage, off street parking and not near any potential noise nuisance

Oh not near a childrens play area. It can be so noisy particularly during non school times. I like children but not making noise near where I live.

Massive dog lover here but any sign or smells of pets would put me off. Remove all and get someone to walk the dog when there’s a viewing (obviously this may not apply to you!)

Solar panels fitted.

Location is only everything if the surroundings remain the same.
Where DMiL lives she has an open outlook with views of distant hills. A change of planning restrictions means that very likely the field opposite will be built on soon. So check for things like that when you buy in your dream location. Bus stops can move too and shops can close.
Sorry to be all doom and gloom.
Prices are so high now and the cost of moving so great as well as the time factor.
I can remember when you could buy a property and then sell your own one, advertise on the Thursday for viewing at the weekend. Sell it then and there without delay.

Interior wise has to be spotlessly clean and tidy. Want to think that clean people lived there before me. Decor doesn't matter to me as that can be easily changed. Bathroom and kitchen wise so long as clean wouldn't mind too much as would probably want to change then eventually anyway. Other things would be lots of light coming in and definitely no lingering smells.

What attracted you to the house when you bought it, create something similar for the next custodians. Don't try too hard or you will put people off, they won't feel its a family home but more of a show home, lovely to look at but not live in.

Kerb appeal, tidiness, clean and smelling sweet. Decor doesn’t matter as most people want to decorate and make it theirs. Pets can be a turn off especially cat hair everywhere .