Get your home ready for a quick and profitable sale with our 10-point guide...

1. A fresh coat of neutral paint, new tiling or lino, and some new kitchen doors can do wonders to smarten up a tired-looking property. If you'd rather not redecorate, it's still essential that the house be spotless. If you haven't got time, hiring cleaners to make the place sparkle will be money well spent. Have the carpets, sofa covers, oven and windows cleaned at the same time. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, which need to be inviting and hygienic. Finally, the garden is now seen as an additional room, so be sure to make your garden feel like a great space for entertaining and relaxing.
2. Potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in your house, so get rid of ornaments and photos - and posters in children's bedrooms. Put things you don't really use on a daily basis in the attic or into storage. Large pieces of furniture should also go into storage; this will make rooms feel much bigger. Clear away clutter in the hallway, hide all your products in the bathroom and clear the surfaces in the kitchen.
3. Think about your target market. Who do you think might buy your property? Then try to tailor your house to appeal to the main group without alienating other groups that might also be interested. So if you feel a professional couple would be ideal, then leave the second bedroom as a bedroom - rather than a study - and make a space for a workstation elsewhere in the house.
4. Always try to get three agents round to value your property. Don't necessarily go for the one who gives the highest valuation, or the one that you may also buy through - this is an old trick used to win instructions. Many agents will also often try to tie you into a 12-week exclusive contract. But try to negotiate the minimum time possible, so that if you're not happy with the service, you can change.
5. It's a good idea to instruct your solicitor to do your conveyancing early. Ask for a draft contract to be prepared and get the firm to apply for the title deeds, while you pull together all your own paperwork on the property.
6. Given estate agents' fees, it's cheaper to sell sole-agency rather than multi-agency. So it's advisable to stay with one company for the first four weeks, giving the agent the best chance and motivation to sell your property fast.
7. Always have a for-sale board up, and tell your neighbours- word of mouth is a powerful tool. You never know who might live just around the corner, waiting for your house to come on the market.
8. The person who offers the highest price is not always the best choice. Listen to your agent's advice on buyers and push your agent to find out as much about the buyers' circumstances as possible. How is the purchase being financed? Cash buyers are best, but if they're raising a mortgage ask to see a mortgage 'in principle' letter from their lender. Are they first-time buyers? If so, they will need some handholding by the agent and could protract conveyancing. Do they have a related transaction? If they have something to sell, then it should be under offer before you take your property off the market.
9. Your agent will be the middle man and should present every offer that is made. Insist that the agent has all the background information to hand on the potential buyer's position and their ability to move quickly. Ask that offers be made in writing.
10. The longer it takes to reach exchange of contracts, the higher the chances of the deal falling apart. Keep in weekly contact with your solicitor and agent to ensure that channels of communication stay open. You need to be kept informed of where the conveyancing is at, and how your buyer is feeling about the progress.

Choosing an agent
Picking an estate agent is tricky, so:

• Choose a specialist Someone who knows your area, and will value your house at the right price.
• No friends or family However good an agent a friend may be, if something goes wrong your friendship may suffer.
• Be selective Interview at least three agencies. Ask how they plan to market your home.
• Do your research Ask to see clients' references, and a list of the sales achieved in the last 18 months.
• Protect yourself Only employ an agent who is a member of the National Association of Estate Agents.
• Don't skimp You usually get what you pay for. Don't automatically choose the one charging the lowest commission.
• Hedge your bets You may want to use more than one agent, but quantity may not produce a quality service.
• Expect the best Make it clear from the outset what you expect, and you're less likely to be let down.

ANDREW WINTER SAYS: What's your best advice for selling in a short space of time? Tidy and clean inside and out, clear away the clutter - just as you would prepare your car for sale. And do all those unfinished jobs!

photographs: getty images