MAIN IMAGE: Samuel Seeff – chairman of the Seeff Property Group
Seeff Property Group
Buyer demand remains strong, but sellers face more competition than before, says Samuel Seeff, chairman of the Seeff Property Group. In his view, that leaves little room for a home that makes buyers work to see its appeal. For agents, it is one of the more useful conversations to have with a seller before the first viewing.
Seeff says a seller’s main job once a property is listed is to present the home, and every room in it, at its best. Clutter, poor presentation, or neglected spaces push buyers to look past problems rather than the property itself, and according to Seeff, this can delay a sale or stop it altogether.
He notes that buyers tend to make up their minds within moments of walking through the front door. If that first impression falls flat, they move on to the next listing, and the seller loses a real opportunity.
To avoid this, Seeff suggests homeowners view their space as objectively as possible and remove anything that draws attention away from the property itself.
Use this checklist when walking through a home with a seller before viewings start:
- Too many ornaments and crowded surfaces. Seeff says packed sideboards, full display shelves and too many indoor plants block natural light, hide windows and make rooms look smaller than they are. Taking out unnecessary furniture and décor gives living areas a better sense of scale and helps buyers picture their own furniture in the space.
- Family photos and personal memorabilia. Personal photos, framed certificates and fridges covered in notes and pictures put the owner’s stamp on every room, which Seeff says makes it harder for buyers to imagine themselves living there. Packing these away creates a neutral backdrop that appeals to a wider range of buyers.
- Overfull garages and outbuildings. Garages and sheds are important working spaces, but Seeff points out they often become storage for whatever the household no longer has room for. He advises sellers to clear out boxes, throw away broken equipment and clean oil stains off the floor so buyers can properly judge parking space, ceiling height and storage.
- Pet items and odours. According to Seeff, food bowls, litter trays, toys, and pet beds can put off buyers without animals, as well as those with allergies. He recommends storing these out of sight, deep-cleaning carpets to remove fur and airing the house well before each viewing to get rid of lingering smells.
- Toys and children’s room décor. Toys left in shared living areas break up the flow of a home, Seeff says. Packing away games and play equipment, and taking down posters, drawings and anything hanging from cupboard doors or door frames, helps bedrooms look calm, tidy and well kept.
Seeff says that removing these distractions lets buyers focus on what the home is actually worth, which tends to speed up the sale. He adds that this matters even more because properties that stay on the market longer are more likely to attract lower offers. For agents, it is a practical point to raise with sellers who aren’t sure the effort is worthwhile.
