Selling your home is exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming.

Between preparing for photos, keeping the house presentable, juggling work, and arranging viewings, it is easy to overlook a few key details that can make a real difference to buyer interest.

The good news is that many of the most common mistakes sellers make are also some of the easiest to fix.

Below are seven things we regularly see, and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Underestimating first impressions

Most buyers start forming an opinion before they have even stepped through the front door.

If the driveway is messy, the garden looks neglected, or the front door is looking tired, buyers can arrive with a negative feeling, even if the inside is lovely.

Quick wins that work:

Jet wash the drive or pathway
Clear weeds and tidy borders
Clean the front door and replace tired looking hardware
Add a couple of simple pots either side of the entrance

It does not need to be perfect. It just needs to feel clean, cared for, and welcoming.

2. Leaving clutter on show

Buyers want to picture themselves living in the space, and clutter makes that harder.

This does not mean stripping your home bare, but it does mean making sure surfaces are clear and rooms feel open.

A key tip is to declutter before photos as well as before viewings. Your marketing is what gets people through the door in the first place.

If storage is tight, consider a small short term storage unit. It is often worth it for the difference it makes to how your home looks online.

3. Treating it like a transaction (instead of a home)

Buyers are not just buying walls and a roof. They are buying a lifestyle and a feeling.

It is not about staging your home like a show house, but it is about making it feel comfortable and inviting.

Small touches can go a long way:

Put the heating on if it is cold
Open blinds and curtains for natural light
Make sure the home smells fresh
Add lamps in darker corners to soften the lighting

If buyers feel comfortable, they stay longer, and that usually leads to stronger offers.

4. Forgetting the season

Your home should reflect the time of year you are selling in.

For example:

In summer, set up the garden furniture so buyers can see how the space works
In winter, make the living room feel warm and cosy
In autumn, keep outside areas clear of leaves and debris

Seasonal presentation helps buyers imagine how they would live there all year round.

5. Spending big money right before going on the market

This one surprises people.

Many sellers assume they need a brand new kitchen or bathroom to sell. In reality, major renovations right before listing often do not pay back, and the new buyer may change it anyway.

However, small repairs absolutely matter.

Buyers will often fixate on little issues:

A dripping tap
Peeling paint
A broken cupboard door
Loose handles
Cracked sealant

They may be inexpensive to repair, but left unresolved they can create doubt, and doubt can reduce offers.

6. Letting pets take over viewings

We love pets, but not every buyer does.

Even pet lovers can be distracted by a dog running around, a cat in the hallway, or pet odours.

If possible, for viewings:

Keep pets out of the way
Remove food bowls and litter trays
Open windows beforehand
Vacuum thoroughly, especially if you have carpet

You want buyers focused on the home, not the pet.

7. Not highlighting the best parts of your home

Every home has something that makes it stand out.

It might be:

A bright kitchen diner
A great garden
A home office space
A stunning view
A spacious main bedroom

Make sure your best features look their absolute best for photos and viewings.

If there is one wow room in the house, treat it like your star attraction, because it is often what buyers remember after they leave.

Final thoughts

Selling a home does not need to be stressful, but preparation makes a huge difference.

At Willmott & Lake, we guide our clients through the full process, including advice on how to prepare for photography, what to focus on before viewings, and how to position the property to attract the best buyer.

If you are thinking of selling in Bishop’s Stortford, Elsenham, Stansted, Takeley, or the surrounding villages, feel free to get in touch.