Selling your home and going on holiday at the same time might sound like a recipe for stress, but with a little planning, it can work beautifully.
In fact, being away can sometimes make viewings easier. Buyers can look around without feeling rushed, we can handle appointments on your behalf, and you can enjoy your break knowing your sale is still moving forward.
The trick is to make sure your home is prepared before you leave. You want buyers to walk in and see a property that feels fresh, tidy, welcoming and easy to imagine living in.
To help, the team at Shinerocks has put together five practical tips to keep your home viewing-ready while you’re away.
A fresh-smelling home makes a strong impression from the moment buyers step through the door. Scent is one of those small details people remember, even if they don’t realise it at the time.
Fresh flowers can look lovely for the first few days, but if you’re away for a week or more, they may start to wilt. Instead, choose longer-lasting options that keep your home smelling pleasant without needing any attention.
Before you leave:
Empty all bins, including bathroom and bedroom bins
Clear the fridge of anything that may spoil
Remove fruit and vegetables from bowls, racks and worktops
Clean pet areas, litter trays and food bowls
Run the dishwasher and washing machine, then leave the doors slightly open
Avoid cooking anything with a strong smell just before you go away
Reed diffusers can work well when used lightly. Place them in areas such as the hallway, living room and bathroom, but don’t overdo it. A subtle fresh scent is far better than an overpowering fragrance.
It’s also worth checking that your home has some airflow. If your windows have a secure ventilation setting, use it where appropriate. This helps prevent rooms from feeling stuffy, especially during warmer weather.
The goal is simple: when buyers walk in, your home should feel clean, calm and well cared for.
One of the advantages of working with a trusted estate agent in Purley, Croydon & Greater London, such as Shinerocks, is that viewings can still take place while you’re away.
That means you don’t need to pause your sale just because you’re enjoying a break. However, we need everything in place before you leave.
Make sure they have:
A full working set of keys
Access details for side gates, garages, sheds, cabins and outbuildings
Alarm instructions, including codes and reset details
Any parking instructions for viewers
Details of rooms, cupboards or areas that should remain locked
Information about pets, neighbours or anything unusual at the property
It’s worth doing a quick key test before you go. A stiff lock, missing side gate key or confusing alarm panel can slow down a viewing and create unnecessary hassle.
You may also want to let a trusted neighbour know that Shinerocks will be attending viewings while you’re away. This avoids any awkward moments if they spot people arriving at the property.
Small bits of preparation like this can keep everything running smoothly while you’re away.
Buyers often form an opinion before they’ve even stepped inside. The front of your home, the hallway, the light and the general atmosphere all help shape how they feel.
Before you leave, take a walk from the pavement to your front door and view your home as a buyer would. Does it look welcoming? Is the entrance tidy? Are there bins, shoes, toys, garden tools or tired-looking plants creating clutter?
A few simple improvements can make a real difference:
Sweep the path or driveway
Move bins out of sight where possible
Wipe the front door and clean the handle
Make sure the doorbell works
Ask someone to water hanging baskets or potted plants
Cut the grass if needed
Remove weeds from paths, patios and borders
Leave curtains and blinds open where appropriate to maximise natural light
Inside, keep internal doors open so the property feels spacious and easy to move through. Open curtains and blinds before you leave, especially in darker rooms.
Post is another detail that can quickly make a home look unattended. Ask us to place any post in a pre-agreed location during viewings, or ask a trusted person to pop in and clear it while you’re away.
If you have small pets at home, such as a cat, rabbits or fish, give us clear information about when someone will be visiting. That way, viewings can be arranged around pet care without confusion.
A property that feels looked after from the outside in gives buyers confidence.
Packing for a holiday can turn even the calmest home into chaos. Clothes on beds, toiletries on surfaces, half-empty mugs, laundry piles and open suitcases can all appear when you’re trying to get out of the door.
That’s why it’s worth setting aside time to prepare your home for viewings before your travel day.
Focus on the rooms that matter most to buyers.
The kitchen should feel clean, practical and inviting. Clear the worktops as much as possible, hide washing-up liquid and dishcloths, empty the bin, clean the sink and remove anything from the fridge that may smell while you’re away.
A clear kitchen helps buyers focus on the space, storage and layout rather than day-to-day clutter.
Bathrooms need to feel fresh and hygienic. Put away toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo bottles, razors, cleaning products and toilet brushes where possible. Replace damp towels with clean dry ones, empty bins and make sure surfaces are wiped down.
A hotel-style approach works well here. Simple, clean and uncluttered.
Plump cushions, straighten throws, clear coffee tables and remove everyday items such as remote controls, paperwork, chargers and children’s toys.
You want the living space to feel relaxed and easy to picture spending time in.
Make the beds properly, clear bedside tables and put away laundry. If you’re leaving suitcases behind, store them in a wardrobe, loft, cupboard or garage if possible.
Bedrooms should feel restful, not busy.
Outdoor space can be a major selling point, especially during spring and summer. Keep garden furniture set up neatly if the weather allows, but store away cushions or covers that could get wet. Cut the lawn, tidy toys and sweep patios before you leave.
One of the nicest bonuses of preparing your home for viewings is that you’ll come back from holiday to a clean and tidy house. Future you will be grateful.
We won’t interrupt your holiday unnecessarily, but there may be times when we need to contact you.
A buyer might want to make an offer. They may ask a question about fixtures and fittings, parking, boundaries, lease details, timescales or what’s included in the sale. The sooner your agent can get an answer, the easier it is to keep buyers interested.
Before you go away, tell Shinerocks:
The best way to contact you
Whether you prefer phone, email, WhatsApp or text
Your holiday dates
The time zone you’ll be in
Any times when you definitely won’t be available
Whether another person can make decisions on your behalf
It’s also worth thinking about how you’ll handle offers while away. You don’t need to spend your holiday glued to your phone, but you should be reachable enough to make important decisions if the right buyer comes along.
A property sale can move quickly when interest is strong, so keeping communication clear helps prevent delays.
Going on holiday doesn’t mean your property sale has to pause. With the right preparation, your home can continue to impress buyers while you relax, recharge and enjoy your time away.
At Shinerocks, we help sellers across Purley, Croydon & Greater London present their homes properly, arrange accompanied viewings, handle buyer questions and keep the sales process moving.
If you’re planning a holiday while your home is on the market, speak to our team before you go. We’ll help make sure everything is ready, so you don’t miss out on serious buyers while you’re away.
To find out more, contact Shinerocks today at enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk or call 020 8660 2010.
In the meantime, we've answered some of your common questions about going on holiday while selling your home.
Yes, they can. If you’re happy for Shinerocks to carry out accompanied viewings, buyers can still view your home while you’re away. You’ll need to make sure your estate agent has a full set of keys, access instructions and alarm details before you leave.
Yes. Always let your estate agent know when you’ll be away, how long you’ll be gone for and the best way to contact you. This helps your agent manage viewings, answer questions and contact you quickly if an offer comes in.
Clean and tidy each room, clear surfaces, empty bins, remove food that may spoil, open curtains and blinds, secure valuables and make sure the garden or outside space looks presentable. It’s also useful to leave clear instructions for keys, alarms, pets and access to garages or outbuildings.
Your estate agent will contact you using your preferred method. You can then consider the offer, ask questions and give your response remotely. Being away doesn’t stop you from accepting an offer, negotiating or keeping your sale moving.
Use the form to send us your questions and we'll respond as quickly as possible.
You can also call us on 020 8660 2010, or email enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk.
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