5 Smart Steps to Get Your Home Ready for a 2026 Move
Tue 16 Dec 2025
At Wills & Smerdon, we always say: the homes that fly off the market in spring aren’t an overnight success - they’re the ones that were quietly prepped before the Christmas tree even came down. If you’re thinking about moving in 2026, whether that’s upsizing, downsizing, or heading for pastures new, now is a brilliant time to get ahead - especially in a busy Surrey property market.
Here are five savvy ways to set yourself up for success:
We all stop noticing the quirks in our own homes - the chipped paint, the dark hallway, the cluttered corner. But buyers notice everything. Take a walk through your home as if you were viewing it for the first time. Better yet, ask a friend or a local agent (... that’s us!) to give honest feedback. Little tweaks like brighter lighting, a lick of paint in neutral tones, or even moving bulky furniture can completely change how a room feels - and how it photographs.
Whether you live in Ripley, East Horsley, Cobham or Cranleigh, your home’s exterior can seal the deal - or lose it - in seconds. Tidy the garden. Power wash the drive. Clean the front door (or repaint it). Check that your outside lighting works. Even replacing tired house numbers can make a difference. Buyers associate good kerb appeal with good upkeep - and that often means stronger offers.
We know, it’s not glamorous. But buyers love organised sellers - and so do their solicitors. Start now by gathering any paperwork you have for windows, boilers, electrics, extensions, planning permissions and warranties. If anything’s missing, there’s still time to replace it. Having everything ready keeps the legal process moving and could even shave weeks off your completion time.
We’re not just here for photos and floorplans. A good local agent - like our team here in East Horsley and Ripley - can offer valuable insight long before your property goes live. We can tell you what buyers are asking for right now in your area: from low-maintenance gardens in Bookham, to home offices in Woking, to parking and open-plan space across West Clandon and Effingham. More importantly, we can advise what’s worth spending on, and what isn’t.
If you’d like to be in your new home by summer 2026, the best time to start is now.
Here’s a rough roadmap:
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to moving home. But we do know this: early prep makes everything easier - especially in the Surrey market. If you’re even thinking about moving next year, why not pop in for a no-pressure chat? We’re here in East Horsley and Ripley, ready with local knowledge, honest advice, and maybe even a mince pie. Call us on 01483 284141 or message us online.
Here are five savvy ways to set yourself up for success:
1. See Your Home Through Fresh Eyes
We all stop noticing the quirks in our own homes - the chipped paint, the dark hallway, the cluttered corner. But buyers notice everything. Take a walk through your home as if you were viewing it for the first time. Better yet, ask a friend or a local agent (... that’s us!) to give honest feedback. Little tweaks like brighter lighting, a lick of paint in neutral tones, or even moving bulky furniture can completely change how a room feels - and how it photographs.
2. First Impressions Start at the Kerb
Whether you live in Ripley, East Horsley, Cobham or Cranleigh, your home’s exterior can seal the deal - or lose it - in seconds. Tidy the garden. Power wash the drive. Clean the front door (or repaint it). Check that your outside lighting works. Even replacing tired house numbers can make a difference. Buyers associate good kerb appeal with good upkeep - and that often means stronger offers.
3. Round Up the Paperwork
We know, it’s not glamorous. But buyers love organised sellers - and so do their solicitors. Start now by gathering any paperwork you have for windows, boilers, electrics, extensions, planning permissions and warranties. If anything’s missing, there’s still time to replace it. Having everything ready keeps the legal process moving and could even shave weeks off your completion time.
4. Invite a Local Agent Over (Yes, Before You’re Ready to List)
We’re not just here for photos and floorplans. A good local agent - like our team here in East Horsley and Ripley - can offer valuable insight long before your property goes live. We can tell you what buyers are asking for right now in your area: from low-maintenance gardens in Bookham, to home offices in Woking, to parking and open-plan space across West Clandon and Effingham. More importantly, we can advise what’s worth spending on, and what isn’t.
5. Reverse Engineer Your Move
If you’d like to be in your new home by summer 2026, the best time to start is now.
Here’s a rough roadmap:
- December: photography & light staging
- January: launch to market
- February–March: offers agreed
- April - June: completion & moving day!