We may have just seen the warmest winter since the middle of the Nineteenth century but there’s still something very uplifting about the arrival of Easter. It has been the most important date in the Christian calendar for the last two millennia, of course, but a celebration of the arrival of spring goes back much further than that.

It gladdens the heart more than any other time of the year – the daffodils, crocuses and early tulips coming into flower, the song birds building their nests in our hedges, and for those of us living in the countryside, that photographer’s favourite, the new-born lamb.The Easter season is all about renewal, new life, and the energy and exuberance of the young. That said, it’s also the time that home-owners start to take a post-winter look at their properties and then get out the paint brushes and the lawnmowers.

As Michael Fiddes of property specialists Strutt & Parker, says, ‘It used to be that the property market didn’t really come alive until Easter, but in recent years we’ve seen the market becoming very busy as early as the middle of January. However there is still something about the Easter weekend which inspires us to give our homes a post-winter clear-up and attend to all the little jobs that have needed doing since the days were at their shortest.’

The winter months are always tough on property, even mild winters like this one. There’s been more than enough rain, and water is one of the greatest enemies. It’s worth checking for blockages in gutters, down pipes and drains. Any damage to painted surfaces like barge boards should be addressed without delay.

As Rozanne Edwards, who works from Strutt & Parker’s St Albans office, says, ‘Check gutters and drains for blockages (leaves still lying from last autumn or birds’ nests probably), and make sure they are completely clear. Older cast iron gutters can decay and crack; look for leaks, especially round the back, out of sight. Plastic gutters can distort; make sure that water flows in the right direction, and doesn’t tip out over the side at any point. Check too that gutters and drainpipes are correctly fixed to the house and aren’t starting to loosen or come away.’

It’s a good idea to check that wooden windows and external doors haven’t bulged or distorted in the wet weather. Take a walk round the house peering at the roof to check that all the tiles are present and correct. Have a squint at the chimney stacks too. Has the winter ravaged the pointing, and are there any signs of foliage growing between the bricks?

It’s also worth going up into your loft or roof space and having a good look round. Is the insulation still all in place? High winds can often get up under the eaves and blow the insulation around. Have a look too for old birds’ nests or evidence of rodent activity; either is bad news. It’s also worth sniffing the air up there and determining if there’s any damp. Also turn off your torch for a moment; can you see daylight coming in? If so then something needs to be fixed.

It’s not just the house itself that you ought to take a look at; how are your perimeter fences or walls, and do the gates need re-painting and do their hinges need greasing? Remember, these are what give visitors their first impression of your home, and we know just how much first impressions matter, don’t we!

The same thought applies to any outbuildings. Now is a very good time to re-paint the shed, order new doors to cheer up the garage, and clear out the greenhouse - and mend any broken windows. One problem that anyone with stone flagging or timber decking will experience is the growth of a slight green mould – particularly on shaded areas. It’s not a real problem but it can be unsightly and if left unchecked it can make the stone very slippery under foot. You can use a power hose to remove it, but there are also some good chemical sprays on the market which will help as well (they’re available from hardware shops and garden centres). While you’re on the terrace, why not spend some time cleaning up your garden furniture – unless you’ve been canny enough to store it under cover over the winter - you’ll be sitting outside enjoying early evening drinks sooner than you think.

‘These are jobs which shouldn’t be ignored’, Rozanne adds, ‘For more of us our homes are our largest single asset and it obviously makes good sense to protect the investment. There is always the option of delegating the work though; if funds allow no one would blame you if you just reached for the telephone directory and then spent the Easter weekend enjoying yourself!’