First impressions

Clear the clutter
You want to aim for space and light. If you're short on storage space, consider renting some short-term storage or fill up your car or your mum's attic with extra items. Buyers will have difficulty imagining their things in place if your clutter is overwhelming.

Check your services
Take a good look at your boiler, fusebox, roof tiles, downpipes, guttering and loft space. These are the sorts of things buyers look at (see Avoid the Delays and Viewing a House). Make any necessary minor repairs. It pays to be prepared and could translate into getting a good offer.

New light
Examine your house at different times of day - buyers will. Bright sunlight can highlight more potential problems - dusty paintwork, broken tiles - than dusk.

Spring clean
Give the place a good clean: wipe down the woodwork, have the carpets cleaned, wash the sofa covers, whiten the grouting in the bathroom, buy a new shower curtain - small things can make a big difference.

Tidy up
Keep the place tidy. Wash the dishes (or hide them in the dishwasher), make the beds, pick up the towels in the bathroom, do a quick hoover. Buyers are put off by mess.

'Mmm, smells good...'
Okay, okay, we all know the smells of coffee brewing and bread baking are house doctor clichés but, let's face it, they smell a lot nicer than overflowing rubbish bins or dirty towels. For a different accent, try a light pot pourri or essential oil but avoid cloying air fresheners and heavy incense as they can be off-putting.

Street neat
Aim for 'kerb appeal' since many buyers will drive by your property before booking a viewing. Give any exterior woodwork a lick of paint, put in some colourful window boxes and clean up the rubbish area.

Garden-centred
Make sure the garden is tidy: weed the flower beds, cut the grass, clear any rubbish. Brighten it up with some colourful planters and hanging baskets - you can buy some ready-planted from the garden centre if you don't have green fingers.

Steady on!
Don't spend a lot of money redecorating unless it's truly needed. Most buyers will redecorate when they move in anyway. Don't invest a lot of money in renovating the kitchen or bathroom, doing a loft extension or investing in double-glazing, since you probably won't recoup your investment. Most buyers would prefer to pay less now and upgrade later.

Call in the experts
Overwhelmed by the task of doing up your house to sell? Call in a house doctor who will help you get your home in shape. You pay for a report of suggested improvements, which will be deducted from a final fee if the company does the work. It's a relatively small outlay that could translate into a substantially higher selling price. For more information and ideas, log on to The Final Touch or National Guild of Removers and Storers.