You’ll have to put your house in order if you want to appeal to buyers and just a weekend of effort can make all the difference even in a sluggish market, according to a Kent-based estate agents.

"If there are two similar houses for sale, the one with the best finishing touches will win hands down every time," says Greyfox director Paul Tilley.

"We see lots of nice homes that with a bit more work could look really special. You don’t need to spend a fortune – just a few days of focused time and effort can give your house the edge over the competition. Remember, people notice everything."

Paul suggests being brutally honest. Take a good look around your home and make a list of where improvements are needed. A good clean is the first priority.

Windows should gleam, baths and sinks should be pristine, loo seats should be down and interior bins should be empty.

Hide the loo brush in the garage and take away all those fridge magnets.

Get rid of clutter or hide it in a chest, cover grubby carpets with bright rugs or get them cleaned and replace scruffy curtains with cheap and neutral alternatives – Ikea, Rosebys and Dunelm all do a good selection.

Paul also recommends painting the front door a cheerful colour, planting window boxes and putting up hanging baskets, and hiding bicycles and children’s garden toys in the shed or garage.

He says: "You should also get rid of stencilling, it’s terribly dated and hardly anyone likes it."

It’s also a good idea leaving the lights on if a room is dim, putting a brightly-coloured throw over a tatty sofa and, if the house feels overcrowded, consider sending the kids out for the day.

If you have house plants, make sure they are watered, look healthy and are free of dust.

And finally, while you love your pets, not everyone likes animals, so remove their feeding bowls and ask a neighbour if they can look after the dog while viewings take place.

For a property valuation, contact Paul Tilley at Greyfox Estate Agents on 01634 285790 or email paul@greyfox.co.uk