By Danielle Reid · 24 October 2026
Before you buy a new kitchen or hide each sign of daily life, pause. You need a plan to sell your home. You may need far less work than you think.
Here is where I would start with a home in Tooting.
Start with your plans.
Why do you want to move? Do you have a date in mind? Will you need to find a new home too?
Tell me what matters to you. We can use that to plan what comes next. You do not need all the answers before we have a chat.
Ask before you spend.
A new kitchen can look great. But is it the right thing to buy just before you sell?
I would want to see your home first. We can look at what needs work and what can stay. There is no set list of changes that will pay for itself in each home.
Fix the small things.
Walk through the home as if you have not seen it before. Start at the front door. Look at the light, the floors and the space in each room.
- Fix loose handles and doors that stick.
- Clean windows, mirrors and the spots you tend to miss.
- Replace missing or failed light bulbs where safe to do so. Use bright, energy-efficient LED bulbs suited to each fitting, and keep the light colour consistent within each room.
- Clear enough things to show what each room is for.
- Tidy the front door area and any outside space.
You do not need to turn your home into a hotel. Buyers know that people live in homes. They just need room to see how they could live there too.
Get ready for photo day.
Photos may be the first thing a buyer sees. Have the home ready before the photographer arrives. A last-minute dash with a laundry basket is not much fun.
- Clear kitchen worktops.
- Put away laundry and cleaning products.
- Make beds and open blinds.
- Move private papers and valuables out of view.
- Talk to your agent before you move large furniture.
Good photos should show the home as it is. Buyers should not arrive and wonder where the rest of the room went.
Tell me what makes life here work.
What do you like about the home? Think about the layout, storage, garden and places you use nearby.
What is your usual route to the station? What makes the street feel like home?
We should check facts before they go into the details. That includes travel times and work done to the home. Warm words are welcome. Made-up facts are less helpful.
Find the papers you have.
Keep useful papers in one place. These may include details of work done, guarantees and service charges, if they apply.
Your solicitor and agent can tell you what is needed for your sale. Ask early so you have time to find things.
Do not send ID or bank details through the website form.
Make viewings work for you.
Agree how much notice you need. Talk about pets and times that are hard for your household.
The plan should work in real life. It should not need you to stand by with a vacuum cleaner all day.
Your first five steps.
- Write down why you want to move and when.
- Have a valuation chat before you spend on big changes.
- List the small jobs you want to do.
- Gather your papers and ask about any gaps.
- Plan photos and viewings with your agent.
Your house does not need to be perfect before we talk. Tell me where you are starting. We can work out the next step together.