When you're thinking about selling, there's one question that's worth asking yourself:

Would you buy your own home?

It might sound strange. After all, you already did! But when you've lived somewhere for years, it's easy to become so familiar with your surroundings that you stop seeing your home in the same way somebody else might.

You might not notice the scuff on the hallway wall anymore. The slightly overgrown hedge doesn't bother you. And you've probably never considered what someone sees in the first few seconds after they walk through your front door.

A buyer, however, is seeing everything for the first time.

So, if you're preparing to put your home on the market, try looking at it through their eyes.

1. What does your home say before they even step inside?

First impressions don't begin in the hallway. They begin outside.

Take a walk towards your home as though you've never seen it before. Is the front garden tidy? Can you clearly see the house? Does the front door look welcoming? Are bins, weeds or general clutter drawing your attention before the property itself?

You don't need to completely transform the exterior. Cutting the grass, tidying the driveway, cleaning the windows or giving the front door a little attention can make a surprisingly big difference.

And remember, this is likely to be one of the first things buyers see online too.

2. Does it feel light and welcoming?

When somebody walks into your home, how does it feel?

Natural light can make rooms feel brighter and more spacious, so before photographs and viewings, open curtains and blinds and avoid blocking windows unnecessarily.

Think about lighting too, particularly as we move into autumn and the days become shorter. Switching on lamps in darker areas can help create a warm, welcoming feel.

You don't need every room to look like a show home. The aim is simply to present the space at its best.

3. Can buyers see what each room is for?

That spare room might currently be home to the ironing board, exercise bike, Christmas decorations and everything else you don't know where to put.

You know it's a bedroom. Will a buyer immediately see that?

Helping people understand how a space could be used can make it easier for them to imagine themselves living there.

This doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune furnishing every room. Sometimes simply decluttering or rearranging existing furniture can make the purpose and size of a room much clearer.

4. Are the little jobs starting to add up?

A loose handle. A dripping tap. A lightbulb that's been out for six months.

Individually, they're tiny things.

But if a buyer spots several little unfinished jobs during a viewing, they can start to wonder what else might need doing.

That doesn't mean you should start a major renovation before selling. In many cases, you won't get back everything you spend on large improvements.

Instead, tackle the straightforward jobs you've been meaning to get around to. A few small fixes can help a home feel well cared for without requiring a huge budget.

5. Have you become used to the clutter?

We're all guilty of this one.

When something has been sitting in the same place for long enough, eventually you stop seeing it.

Before your photographs are taken, look at worktops, windowsills, shelves and floors. Removing some everyday clutter can help buyers concentrate on the room rather than everything in it.

It can also make photographs feel cleaner and help rooms appear more spacious online.

Don't feel like you have to remove every sign that somebody lives there, though. A home should still feel like a home.

6. What can you see from the window?

Sellers naturally spend a lot of time thinking about the inside of their property, but buyers are looking outside too.

If a room overlooks the garden, make the most of that view.

Tidy patios, cut lawns and clear away anything that might distract from the space. If you have attractive countryside, woodland or another great outlook, avoid hiding it behind closed blinds or heavy curtains.

Outdoor space can be a big part of how somebody imagines living in a property, whether they're picturing summer barbecues, children playing or simply having somewhere to sit with a cup of coffee.

7. Can somebody picture their life here?

This is perhaps the most important one.

Buying a home isn't purely a practical decision.

People walk around properties imagining where their sofa might go, where they'll put the Christmas tree, whether the garden will work for the dog and where everyone will sit when friends come over.

Good property marketing should help them do that before they've even booked a viewing.

That's why photographs, video, floorplans, descriptions and the way a home is presented all matter. Together, they should give buyers a feel for both the property and the lifestyle it could offer.

Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes is all you need

If you're considering selling, you don't need to suddenly start changing everything about your home.

Often, it's simply about seeing what's already there and making sure its best features aren't being overlooked.

If you're thinking about selling and would like a fresh pair of eyes on your home, our local property experts are here to help.

At DB Roberts, we look at your home from a buyer's perspective and consider how we can showcase what makes it special, from the photographs we choose to the way we present and market it. We will also talk you through its value, what buyers are looking for and answer any questions you may have about selling. You can contact your local team here. 

Or, if you're ready to take the next step, you can book your free, no-obligation valuation online here.