Preparing your house for an open for inspection

If you're planning to try and sell your great Australian dream, there are a few things to keep in mind on the days you are opening up your home to the real estate public.

Kitchen

As one of the most important parts of the house, it's important to present your kitchen in the best possible manner to make an impression on prospective buyers.

First of all, the surfaces should be free of clutter, plates or glasses should be out of sight and the sink should be sparkling, as all the work surfaces should be. You can leave out a toaster or kettle or even a clean food processor as it gives the kitchen a sense of user-friendliness, but doesn't feel cluttered or untidy.

Living Area

Some living rooms double as places where chores like the ironing take place. In that example, be sure to put away your ironing board and clothes to present a functional tidy space.

One idea is to put vases of flowers in different rooms such as on the dining room table to really accentuate the sophistication of the house. Pay attention to details - wiping down the television to remove dust or lining up the remotes next to each other so that any potential buyer can envisage their things in that living space. Fluff the cushions and line them up, to give your couch and lounge chairs that new, fresh look. Give the floor a vacuum to remove any crumbs or bits of dust which can bring down the feel of the room.

Bathrooms

Be sure to give all surfaces a wipe down, such as the mirrors, the shower partition glass and the basins. Put all creams and deodorant cans in the cabinets or drawers and clear up any toys from around the bathtub. The shower should also be free of too much clutter, so it's a good idea to throw out those empty bottles of shampoo! The whole idea is to present a neutral palate so that a buyer can picture their own lives in that space.

Bedrooms

Beds should always be made, no ifs,ands or buts! Pillows should be arranged on the bed neatly and pyjamas should be away in the closet or under the pillows. Do your best to tidy up your closets and drawers so that they feel as big as possible for any keen buyer. Any desk should be free of clutter such as pens or bits of paper; a laptop, a pen holder and maybe a stack of post-its are all you need on the desk.

Yard

The backyard and front yard should always be trimmed and tidy and should be freed of any branches or debris. If you have a pool, put away any toys cluttering the edges and make sure that there are no leaves or branches in the water.