You know that mild sense of panic that comes upon you when you have a valuer booked in: "Are they going to criticize my sofa? Do I need new curtains? Is it all about the kitchen?"
The good news is that valuers do not come there to judge your taste. They are trained to evaluate the general state, functionality, and attractiveness of your property in a professional, consistent manner. But yes—your interior matters more than most people think when you are hoping to get a strong house valuation that represents all the love and money you have invested in your house.
Let’s take a tour of what property valuers really examine when they come through your front door, room by room and detail by detail.
Layout and flow: the home working
Valuers are not concerned with style alone but pay immense attention to the way your house is used in a daily routine.
They pay attention to:
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Rational room circulation (e.g., living rooms near the kitchen).
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Good flow (no clumsy bottlenecks or tight corridors).
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Proportions (bedrooms not too small to have a bed and storage space; living rooms not too small).
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Space functionality (is that third bedroom a functional bedroom or not?).
In case you did any renovations that changed the layout, such as opening walls, merging rooms, or turning a garage into a living space, the quality of the new layout will definitely play a role in the impression.
You cannot reform your floor plan the week before an inspection, but you can:
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Arrange furniture to create open spaces.
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Ensure you do not obstruct natural walkways with large pieces.
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Make the purpose of each room clear (so bedrooms do not look like storage units).
The more comfortable a home is to read and navigate, the better the valuer's impression will be.
Condition and Quality: beyond appearance
Condition is one of the biggest factors valuers analyze. Sophisticated cushions will not conceal severe damage.
They will notice:
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Walls: Cracks, peeling paint, patchwork.
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Floors: Stains, chips, lifting boards, deteriorated carpet.
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Ceilings: Leakage, drooping, mould.
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Fixtures: Outdated, damaged, loose, or improperly installed.
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Windows and doors: The way they open, close, and seal.
They also take into consideration the quality of finishes and fixtures. For example:
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Solid timber flooring versus very worn vinyl.
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Quality benchtops and joinery in the kitchen and bathrooms.
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Good fittings (taps, handles) which seem durable.
You need not redecorate everything, but minor fixes can actually elevate the appearance of your house:
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Repair and paint scratches or marks in important rooms.
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Change broken light switches, broken power points, or handles.
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Scrub floor tiles in washrooms and kitchens.
Once the interiors are well kept, this sends a strong message about the place: this is a well-cared-for home, not an investment that is going to cause trouble later.
Light, ventilation, and comfort
Another concept that valuers consider is livability—how comfortable and healthy it would be to live inside your house.
They pay attention to:
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The amount of natural lighting in the primary living spaces and bedrooms.
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Cross-ventilation (did you open windows on more than one side?).
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Availability and state of cooling and heating.
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Symptoms of dampness, mould, or condensation problems.
You cannot change the window placement, but you can:
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Take down or pull back heavy curtains that block light.
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Wash windows to allow as much daylight in as possible.
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Bounce light by using lighter-coloured bedding and rugs.
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Prepare for the visit by running fans or opening windows to air out the room.
A house that feels airy, dry, and comfortable will always score higher than one that feels dark and stuffy, even if they have a similar floor plan.
Storage and practicality
Storage is a minor yet significant aspect of a valuer's perception of your interiors. They will not open every drawer, but they will take notice of:
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In-built bedroom wardrobes.
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Practical kitchenware storage (pantry, cabinetry, drawers).
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Linen cupboards or general-purpose storage.
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Smart inbuilt features such as window seats with storage, media units, or built-in bookcases.
Where there is a clear lack of storage, homes may feel smaller and less functional. With the right implementation, the whole property becomes more livable.
What you can do:
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Clear out cupboards so they do not look stuffed to the brim.
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Make inbuilt storage as tidy and orderly as possible; this indicates there is enough space.
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In small houses, use built-in or fitted furniture where you can to maximize space.
Although storage cannot shout "wow" like a new kitchen, valuers understand that it makes a very big difference in the real-world functionality of a place.
Furnishings and presentation: is it really a concern?
The reality here is that valuers are not judging your sense of taste in decor. Nevertheless, your furnishings and arrangements do influence their concept of space, light, and usability.
They notice things like:
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Does oversized furniture leave the rooms cramped?
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Is the purpose of each room clear?
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Is it difficult to see the real features of the home due to clutter?
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Are selling features (views, fireplaces, feature windows) concealed or emphasized?
A few minor adjustments will go a long way:
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Remove one or two large pieces from small rooms.
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Clear surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms to display benchtops and fittings.
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Check up on beds and couches; it does not require designer work to keep them tidy.
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Emphasize focal points—such as positioning furniture to frame a great window instead of covering it.
Just imagine it not as styling for Instagram, but as making the property present as well as possible for the valuer.
The situation when interiors affect your financial choices
Interiors are not just about pride and comfort; they can have tangible financial outcomes as well. A well-presented and well-maintained house is beneficial when you are applying for refinancing or a construction loan, as the lender will rely on the valuer's report to determine how much they are comfortable lending against the property.
In that case, you would be glad to be:
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Arranging any cosmetic upgrades (painting, small repairs, required upgrades) prior to the evaluation.
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Ensuring that any renovation work in progress is clean and safe, and that plans or approvals are available on request.
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Avoiding showing unfinished areas as "move-in ready."
Though valuers are objective and governed by strict guidelines, your interior presentation may slightly tilt the overall picture for the valuer, which might further affect the numbers that finally appear in their report.
A pre-valuation interior checklist
Whether you have a valuer booked or not, these are a few of the most important interior checklist items to consider:
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Clean and clear the entrance and the living room.
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Open blinds and curtains; clean key windows.
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Quickly de-clutter obvious surfaces.
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Fix glaring superficial problems (blown light bulbs, loose handles, paint so old it is chipping in key areas).
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Prepare beds and straighten soft pieces of furniture.
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Check for bad smells and air out the house.
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Make sure that every room has a clear, logical purpose.
All this does not need complete renovation or the hand of a stylist—only a little concentrated preparation.
In conclusion: make them see your house in its best light
Property valuers are not searching for perfection, and they are by no means scrutinizing your personal style. They are seeking to know how effective your home is, how it has been maintained, and how it compares with others of its kind.
By focusing on:
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Clean, uncluttered spaces.
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Good light and airflow.
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Clear room purpose and flow.
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Sound condition and simple repairs.
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Good storage and intelligent presentation.
You make it much easier for them to see the real potential and worth of your house.
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