1. HAVE A GOOD LOOK AROUND AND REPAIR ANYTHING THAT NEEDS FIXING - BROKEN OR CRACKED WALLS, PAVING & PATHS, FENCES & GATES, DOORBELLS AND WINDOWS. REPAINT OR TOUCH-UP WHERE NECESSARY.

2. PLAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WINDOWS. THEY MUST BE SUPER CLEAN AND FREE FROM CLUTTER ON THE SILLS. CHECK THAT ALL WINDOW DRESSINGS LOOK TIDY FROM THE OUTSIDE.

3. TAKE NOTE OF WHAT IS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE - YOU DON'T WANT ANYTHING UNSIGHTLY THERE. IF THERE ARE ANY SKIPS OR OLD BROKEN-DOWN CARS THAT BELONG TO NEIGHBOURS, SPEAK TO THEM ABOUT MOVING THEM WHILE YOUR HOUSE IS ON THE MARKET.

4. REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE SUCH AS RUBBISH BINS, BICYCLES AND TOYS. MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A CLEAR, DEFINED PATH TO THE FRONT DOOR.

5. CHECK THAT ANY OUTDOOR LIGHTING IS WORKING AND ADEQUATE FOR VIEWING. ENSURE YOU HAVE HOUSE NUMBERS THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE STREET. 

6. MOST PEOPLE WANT AS MUCH ROOM AS POSSIBLE. REMOVE AS MUCH CLUTTER AS POSSIBLE FROM THE ROOMS AND GARDEN TO MAXIMISE THEIR APPARENT SIZE.

7. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FRONT DOOR. A LICK OF PAINT IN A DISTINCTIVE COLOUR ALWAYS HELPS. POLISH OR REPLACE ALL DOOR FURNITURE, FIX THE LOCKS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE DOOR DOESN'T STICK WHEN OPENED. REPLACE ANY OLD OR GRUBBY DOORMATS WITH BRAND NEW ONES.

8. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR GARDEN IS IN TOP CONDITION. TRIM ALL OVERGROWN TREES OR SHRUBS, MOW THE LAWN, SWEEP AND CLEAN EVERYTHING. INVEST IN SOME FLOWERING SEASONAL PLANTS AND/OR SHRUBS TO GIVE THE FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE MORE APPEAL.

9. PRACTISE SHOWING PEOPLE AROUND. TAKE A NOTE OF ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT AND CONSIDER CHANGING IT.

10. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR "FOR SALE" SIGN IS CLEARLY VISIBLE. YOU DON'T WANT ANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.