Putting a house on the market is a huge decision that’s never taken lightly. But once you’ve committed to taking the plunge, you will of course want to maximise your chances of selling the property for the best possible price.

It’s at this point you need to take a step back and have a careful think about the changes you could make to help buyers fall in love with your property. This doesn’t have to mean major jobs like new kitchens or expensive landscaping. We’re thinking of the small tweaks that cost absolutely nothing – or at the most a couple of hundred pounds.

Spending time and cash on minor improvements might seem like a pain when you’re planning to move on. But a small investment could make a massive difference, potentially leading to a quick sale at a favourable price.

In the internet age, a house doesn’t just have to look good when viewers arrive. It needs to photograph well so that eye-catching and memorable images are created for online browsers. With this in mind, put on your ‘buyer goggles’ and try to see your home and garden afresh, as if you are walking in for the first time. Chances are you’ll suddenly spot the stained carpet, the chipped paintwork and the unpruned shrubs.

Here, we’ve listed five tips for sprucing up your home this spring . . .

1 Declutter. Set aside a weekend to sort shelves, bookcases and built-in cupboards. Potential buyers are interested in your house, not your old photos or your collection of plastic bags! Anything you can’t bear to part with can be stored away in a loft or garage – think of this as advance packing ahead of moving day.

2 Wipe down paintwork. Smudges and fingerprints on paintwork, light fittings and kitchen cabinets are a real turn-off. Don’t forget to wipe down the front door and polish up the letterbox for a great first impression.

3 Clean the windows. Sparkling windows inside and out encourage that sense of light and space which is all-important in today’s market.

4 Buy new bedding. Crisp new sheets, a stylish bedspread and matching cushions will give a lift to your bedroom. The cash outlay shouldn’t be too painful – at least you can take the new bedding and accessories when you move.

5 Blitz the bathroom. Before your interior photos are taken, clear away towels, toothbrushes, and all but the poshest toiletries bottles. When viewers visit, it’s unrealistic to clear everything away each time, but try to keep any bathroom clutter to an absolute minimum.

6 Get busy in the garden. Power-wash the patio, decking, drives or pathways. Pull out the worst of the weeds and then cover flowerbeds with compost for an instant transformation. Prune back straggly shrubs and any greenery that overhangs pathways. Wash down garden furniture and put a flowering plant on the centre of an outdoor table. Anything that helps viewers to picture themselves sitting outside with a G&T on a summer’s evening is well worth doing!

If you’re thinking of putting your house on the market this spring, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free market appraisal. As a local agent with specialist knowledge of Cranleigh and the surrounding villages, we’d be delighted to advise you. Call today on 01483 268555.