THE 8 SECRETS TO SELLING YOUR HOME - FAST

With spring bringing a fresh surge of buyers, the key is to outshine the competition - use these top tactics for a swift, successful sale

- 

Make sure the exterior of your property is clean and tidy to boost its kerb appeal.

If you're planning on selling up for a fresh start, now’s the time to invite estate agents round for a valuation. Spring and early summer typically bring a high number of buyers, but it’s also the time of year when homes are looking their best, thanks to longer days and gardens in bloom - with so much competition, how can you help your home stand out from the crowd? Our expert guide has all the tricks you need for a speedy sale, with inside info from those in the know...

Sort the basics

Before you get the agents round for a valuation, have a really good declutter, a deep clean, and depersonalise your home as much as possible. Tackle it room by room - sell, donate, recycle, upcycle or throw away anything you don't need or use. It's a great way to earn a little money towards your new pad, and makes rooms and storage spaces feel bigger, brighter and well looked after.

A clean and tidy home looks better in photos and will appeal to potential buyers, as they will be able to envisage their own furniture and belongings in there more easily. Redecorate rooms with quirky wallpaper or themed decor to make them more neutral. Clean and clear surfaces, tidy up pet beds and feeding stations, and ensure that every room shows its purpose clearly.

BOOST KERB APPEAL

Elaine Penhaul, founder and director of national home-staging firm, Lemon and Lime Interiors, has this advice for improving your home's exterior...