We’ve already discussed how spring is a boom period for selling your home and as the popular property season marches on, we are sharing some of our top tips to get your home ready.

Rather than the obvious DIY projects, cleaning and tidy-up tips, however, this month we are discussing the not-so-obvious jobs you can do to get your house ready for viewings.

Having sold thousands of homes over our 26-year history we have witnessed some seller faux pas – such as leaving dirty laundry on bedroom floors – and are always on hand to advise our clients about the steps they can take to make their property as attractive as possible.

Here’s our list of the extra steps you can take:

Clear your fridge front. An obvious space to leaves notes, reminders and flyers, your fridge door can quickly become cluttered with paper. While the odd reminder is fine, make sure you remove anything embarrassing or rude that could be spotted by viewers – such as a mushy love note or angrily worded reminder to house mates.

·         Carpets in a bathroom are among the top 10 property turn offs, as found in a recent survey by Barclays Mortgage. If you have carpet in yours, get rid of it and replace with tiles or real wood (lino and synthetic wood also made it into the top 10). Similarly, if you have toilet or sink mats remove them before viewings.

·         Another big turn off is strip lighting. Even if they’re not that tired or worn swap them out for more modern lighting, especially if you have strip lighting in the kitchen, which is a key selling room.

·        De-clutter outside and in. Making your rooms neat, tidy and presentable is obvious but do the same in garages, sheds and outbuildings too. Viewers are just as interested in how much space is outside, as well as inside, so organising barbecues, tools, bikes and lawnmowers will help show off the amount of storage they’re getting.

·      If you haven’t already, hang a mirror in your hallway. This is the first space potential buyers will step into and a mirror will help make what can be a narrow space feel bigger and lighter.

Don’t bother replacing furniture – it doesn’t add value and it’s not what your buyers are principally interested in. But do freshen up pieces that are looking old and tired to help create the right atmosphere. Throws and scatter cushions can brighten up sofas and chairs, a modern-looking quilt can cover over worn mattresses and painting dark wood pieces with white and pastel paints can instantly modernise them.

Andrea Bamford is our Star Garden winner!

The votes are in and we can now announce the winner of our Star Garden award – Andrea Bamford. Andrea took the title for her green fingered skills and commitment to gardening in the local community that keeps Cranleigh looking blooming lovely.

We were delighted to meet Andrea and present her with her prize – a £50 voucher generously donated by Notcutts Gardening Centre in Cranleigh.

Our Star Awards are continuing with our fourth title – Star Pupil - and we’re on the lookout for stellar students. Perhaps your son or daughter has broken a school sports record, wowed assembly hall crowds with their musical talents, made massive progress in maths or stays late to help at after school clubs?

Whatever it is that makes them a star we want to hear about it. To make a nomination email starawards@pmwcom.co.uk with a short description of your nominee, their age, school and why they deserve to win, along with their parents’ contact details and where they live. Please also include your own contact details. Nominations can be made until midnight on June 18.