11. Decide how you will present your home to the market - Will you need to action any repair or maintenance? Does the home need to be repainted or will you be selling 'as-is'? Consider the cost of any preparation works and the increase in value this will create.

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12. Declutter - The way we live in a home is usually different to the way we present it to prospective purchasers. Too many personal items and excess furniture can create clutter that will not appeal to your target audience as they try to imagine themselves living there. Clear spaces with carefully chosen items to remain or be brought in can create a welcoming environment that purchasers will naturally gravitate towards.

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13. Depersonalise - Too many family pictures and belongings personal to your life may not appeal to the prospective buyers that are trying to visualise their own items and themselves living there. We are all different so steps may be needed to neutralise the ambiance in the home. This may include removing family photos, kids artwork, strong iconography related to faith,  fridge magnets etc

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14. Enlist the help of a professional property stager / stylist - An independent professional will have the vision to create a warm homely feel and a theme to the home that will help buyers see themselves living in your home. They will provide furniture, artwork, rugs, lamps, linens and accessories before the home is photographed and for the buyer inspections. The cost of this service is minor compared to what you stand to gain in the eventual outcome and can lead to  a selling price many thousands of dollars higher than without staging.

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15. Clean, clean, clean - The last thing the buyer wants to do is to have a job ahead of them to clean the home they purchase as soon as they move in. Either roll your sleeves up and get in to it or hire a professional cleaner to get those jobs done that only need doing once in a while like your oven, stove, skirting boards, light switches, glass and light fixtures. Remember buyers will pay for the convenience of having a pristine home to move in to.

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16. Garden and outdoor areas - The first impression the buyer will get as they approach your home will be the lasting one so spend time on this area. It will also show in the photographs which buyers will spend significant time looking at and deciding whether to buy it or leave it. Lawns can be improved by overseeding, cutting, edging and fertilising. Replace any dead or dying plants, replenish beds with mulch or wood chips. Create borders against fences and pull out the weeds. Sweep the front gutter to give a fresh and well-maintained impression to your prospective purchasers.

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17. Consider major works - Renovation of kitchen, bathrooms, flooring , decking and other expensive items may or may not bring a return on your investment. The cost of these improvements may push the value up but push it out of the budget range of your prospective buyer who may prefer to do the work in their own style or when they can afford it. Speak with an experienced agent to determine what buyers will want. A lick of paint and a good stylist may be all that is required to succeed.

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18. Consider privacy from neighbours - Are there any properties that overlook your private space? Buyers wish to have a sanctuary they can relax in without prying eyes looking in. You might have the best neighbours in the world but your prospective buyer doesn't know them yet so consider fence toppers, replacement of boundary fencing, growing a screening hedge and window coverings that may protect privacy.

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19. Spruce up your outdoor living area - If you have a deck, apply decking oil to give the timber a shiny lustre. Pressure wash tiles, bricks or pavers to remove built up dirt or plant matter that may have accumulated. Repair any damaged timbers or broken masonry. Clean moss or lichen from a pergola roof to let the light come through.

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20. Repairs and maintenance - Fix dripping taps, rotten weatherboards and timbers, broken tiles and wonky gates. A good handyman might be able to get all your jobs done in one go. Buyers will notice a property that has been well maintained and will give them confidence to make a good offer.

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