Guide to selling your home in the school holidays
Just when you thought school summer holidays were tough enough, you go and add a home sale to the mix! The idea of trying to keep your home fresh, tidy and ready for viewings whilst everyone is home over the summer can feel extremely stressful and overwhelming.
Here are our 10 simple tips, to have your home viewing ready - even on a child filled school holiday.
1. Open days and Viewing Times
Make sure that your estate agent knows your summer holiday situation.
A great idea may be to agree to have an open day, so you can make sure your home is ready to view, and stay at its very best for that 1 day.
If an open day isn’t an option, plan ahead - when is the best time for you to have people view. If you have a little one that needs to sleep in their cot from 1-2.30 then make that time a no go.
Plan ahead and set time slots that work with your routine.
2. Arrange viewings for times that you can all be out the house
Maybe have a special activity that you only do when you have a viewing booked, make it fun for the children so that they are involved and excited for viewings.
Better still, make it a free activity…..a trip to the library, splash park or a walk along the beach.
3. Be clear with older children
Make sure your older children know (and remember) when you have viewings arranged. Be very clear when the house is out of bounds. You never want to have your older child in the home, or likely to “pop” home with friends during or on the run up to a viewing. Loud music, mess and a house full of teenagers may be a turn off for your prospective buyer.
Download our free teen guide to get your older children involved in preparing your home.
4. Get teenagers out of bed!
No joke, this is a genuine Rightmove photo - teenager didn’t get out of bed for this shot!
Make sure that everyone is up and out, even if they are tired and reluctant.
5. Give yourself time to prepare the house before a viewing
See if a friend, neighbour or family member will take the children for an hour before so that you can tidy and clean to have the house looking it’s best and ready to make that offer winning first impression.
6. Make friends with flex tubs
If over summer your home is busy you may find yourself constantly organising toys, Lego and colouring before a viewing. Our best tip, the invest in a few flex tubs.
You and the kids can easily sweep up all the toys, place in a tub and hide away.
If there isn’t anywhere to hide a tub, get a tub to match your child’s bedroom decor!
7. Introduce a “Viewing Day Toy Box”
Find tidier toy options for viewing day.
If (like me) your children like to get every toy out at the same time - then a special “viewing day toy box” might be a good suggestion.
Put all of the toys away the night before a viewing day and give your children a special toy box - full of new (or borrowed) and easy to tidy toys that only come out on viewing day.
Children get excited by new and special things - so they’ll love this box - and so will you!
8. Pre-prepare meals
You do not want to be cooking for your little ones when trying to keep the house odour and mess free.
Think ahead and make up some picnic boxes or home-cooked microwavable meals that mean no meal prep and ready to go!
9. Always make the bed - and make it well!
A tidy bed can make a room look cleaner, more organised and…..bigger!! So even on a busy morning, don’t skip bed making.
Why not make it a game, get the kids involved!
10. Accept help
If someone offers you time to look after the children, say yes!
Even super parent needs a support team - especially when selling their home. At Little Barn Door we offer an amazing Summer Holiday Viewing Prep Service, especially to help you have a hassle free school holiday. Our amazing team of experts can have your home ready, fresh and looking at it’s very best immediately before a viewing ….. whilst you enjoy your summer holiday.