How to prepare your home for sale

Kerb Appeal - Make sure the house looks great on the outside as well as indoors. Be self-critical, but don't go overboard. Stand outside and look at your house, if something stands out that needs work, chances are others will see it and judge your home accordingly. A little time spent now may save time and money in the future.

Try to look at your home through the eyes of a prospective purchaser and make a list of things that bother you. Ask your friends for their views - they might see things that you see everyday but are not obvious to you.

De-cluttering is always highly recommended. Put things in boxes and pop them in the loft or garage and make sure it's easy to stroll round your house unhindered. If you have a pet, smells from a hamster cage or a dog bed can go unnoticed by you, but might put off a buyer.

Before a viewing, open the windows to air your home or buy some air fresheners. As a simple rule, people prefer clean homes, so make sure you dust and/or run the vacuum cleaner round. Make sure the windows do what they're supposed to and let in the light!

Remember! First impressions count!

How to prepare for a viewing

Firstly, remember that you're inviting a stranger to your home, so be aware of the security element. If you feel uncomfortable about this tell a friend or neighbour that you're showing someone around and ask them to look out for you.

Before the viewing, do a quick mental check:
- Does the house feel welcoming?
- Does it look, feel and smell good?
- Would you live here?

If it's cold outside, put the heating on - better still, make an open fire if you have one. If it's daylight, open the curtains up as far as they'll go, very few people want to buy a house that feels dark and claustrophobic!

If it's after dark, make sure the lights are on that best show your home. Upstairs, make sure the beds are made and clothes put away.

Lastly, don't forget the gardens; both front and back. Mow the lawn and weed the borders. If you've found out the viewer has children, make sure the garden is child-friendly and secure - mend fences and tidy up.