Most people form lasting opinions about a property just seconds after pulling up outside. Here are our tips to maximise the kerb appeal of your home from the outside:

1. Position springtime pots with seasonal planting such as daffodils, hyacinths and tulips outside the door. If you live in an apartment, adorning window ledges with stylish window boxes will create a warm and inviting feel.

2. If you have a garden, sweep away fallen leaves, cobwebs and any other lingering signs of winter that might have gathered outside in the colder months. If you have a patio or decked area it should be swept clean and washed down.

3. Wipe down your window frames and make sure your window panes glisten in the springtime sunshine.

4. Consider giving the front door a lick of paint if it’s looking less than pristine – remember that first impressions count.

5. If you have outside space and the Easter weekend forecast promises sunshine, set up your patio table and chairs to allow potential buyers to imagine themselves sitting there in the warmer months.

Once the outside is looking tip-top you can start to tackle the inside:

1. Time to de-clutter: a viewer’s first impression should be of a light, uncluttered space which allows them to picture themselves living in the property themselves. Clearing away the clutter will help to ‘de-personalise’ your house and help people to see how their own belongings could fit into the space.

2. Deep clean: once you have pared down the belongings, it’s important to make sure the property looks and smells good. Spend time on the kitchen and bathrooms in particular, which tend to be focus rooms for most people. If you have pets or you’re a smoker, making sure your property smells fresh is particularly important.

3. Paint neutrally: if you are planning any decorative works before selling or renting, it’s a good idea to stay neutral on the colour palette: shades of white, cream and grey are safe and stylish bets, which allow people to project their own interior ideas into the rooms.

4. Define the purpose of every room: ensure that every room has a purpose: if you’re selling a two-bedroom apartment but using the second bedroom as a study/storage room, it’s a good idea to revert it back to a properly functioning bedroom. Rooms not used for their ‘expected’ conventional purpose can confuse buyers and make them question how they would use the space.

5. Set the scene: if you have a busy Easter weekend of viewings lined up, it’s worth spending some time dressing your home: set the table for brunch, add a vase of fresh springtime flowers and – that old chestnut – put on some fresh coffee; all these are little touches that can help people imagine themselves living in the property in time for summer 2019.