SPRING is here and set to give the housing market a well needed boost, with an estimated eight million people in the UK carrying out home improvements in preparation for selling their property.
But according to TV's House Doctor Ann Maurice, even though a lick of paint and mowing the lawn might help, cleaning is the most important part in preparing your house for the market.
Property sales guru Ann says: "Nothing is more off-putting to buyers than someone else's dirt. I always advise a thorough top to bottom 'spring clean' before doing anything else to improve your home's saleability.
"It costs almost nothing, just a bit of time, effort and elbow grease and will make a huge difference when it comes to buyers' response.. They'll want to linger, take in your home's features and start imagining themselves living there."
Ann has outlined the five most important cleaning tips:
* Windows are the 'eyes' of the home. They are one of the first things buyers notice when they approach a prospective home for sale.
* Pay careful attention to bathrooms and kitchens as their condition can make or break a sale. De-clutter and clean all surfaces thoroughly, including the insides of your cupboards. Remember, buyers are buying space and the bigger and brighter, the better.
* If necessary, steam clean upholstery and carpets. It makes a huge difference in the overall presentation of your home.
* Polish everything: floors, doors, furniture and appliances until they look as good as new. To remove scuffs and marks, a shop bought stain remover should work on hard surfaces.
* Make sure your home not only looks clean, but smells clean. Buyers should be welcomed by a pleasant, natural scent. Avoid strong fragrances of all kinds, but especially artificial ones.
* Tips in conjunction with cleaning experts Spontex.
