1. Complete any half finished jobs – most people want a house that does not require any work. Also, they want to feel that a house is cared for so replace broken hinges or handles and finish any paint jobs.

2. Touch up chipped paintwork – painting woodwork can be a laborious task and may put people off. Ensure woodwork is gleaming. Remember, your front door is extremely important. Viewers spend more time looking at this than at anything else, while they wait for you to answer the door, so ensure it is immaculate with door furniture polished.

3. Tidy up front and back gardens – dig up weeds, mow the lawns, trim bushes and hedges, remove any garden toys, sandbags or rubbish and remove cars from driveway. Ensure the front garden is immaculate and plant some colourful flowers – a bit of colour works wonders. Remember a lot of people drive past a property before they arrange to view. If the front looks a mess, they may not call to make an appointment.

4. Turn rooms back into their intended functions – if you are using the spare bedroom as a study, get a bed in there instead, or if your dining room has become a playroom, clear away the toys, redecorate and turn it into a sophisticated dining room. This will enable viewers to see how they may use the room.


5. Bathrooms and kitchens sell houses – it may be worth investing in a new bathroom suite or replacing kitchen unit doors or repainting them. Replace old tiles with cheap white ones or re-grout for a fresh look.