Spring might have been a little late this year, but it has definitely arrived now, and that means that we’ll see the birds nesting, daffodils in full bloom … and estate agents’ ‘For Sale’ boards appearing all over the country.

With the property market still solid and confidence high, experts are expecting that the marketplace will be busy this year and a good number of homes will be offered for sale. This is great news for buyers, but if you are selling, how can you gain an edge and achieve a quick sale at a good price?

There are things that a home owner can do to make their house or flat stand out from the crowd. Overall, my first piece of advice is to be realistic in your ambitions, and appoint an agent who has a good reputation and who inspires trust.

It might be stating the obvious, but the next step is to get people to view the house. I find that ten visitors usually lead to at least one offer. If you have had more than fifteen viewings without an offer, then something is wrong - and it is most probably the price. It is worth listening to what the viewers say and a good estate agent will also elicit feedback. Remember, it doesn’t matter what you think of your own home – your thoughts are bound to be subjective - it’s the market that determines the eventual selling price.

There are things you can do to help viewings go smoothly and ensure that the prospective purchasers see your home in a good light. Most people’s houses are cluttered to a greater or lesser degree, which gives a poor impression and makes rooms look smaller. Try removing five items, big or small, from all of the principal rooms. If you have a family start with the children’s clutter. Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness when it comes to selling. A really good spring clean and a whiz round with the polish and a duster just before viewers arrive is an investment.

It may sound harsh but I do recommend letting the agent handle the viewings. Take the kids, the dogs and your grumpy husband out for the day, and let the agent get on with it - but do make sure they are well briefed about the house first.

It’s definitely worth having a clear up outside too. Tidy up any mess in the garden, cut the hedges and the lawn, and weed the flower beds. If the front door really could do with a lick of paint then get your brushes out. It all helps to give an impression of you as a conscientious householder who takes a pride in their home.

Back inside, teenage bedrooms are always a nightmare. It’s not one you can avoid though; keeping your fingers crossed and holding your nose as you open the door is not enough. As with all the other rooms, they have to keep it tidy and acceptable, and if that means bribing your youngsters with a new X-Box, or a mountain bike, so be it.

Remember too that not everyone is fond of dogs. You might be the country’s number one dog lover and your Alsatian might be as soft as well-padded cushion in reality, but it might well terrify your viewers before they even set foot inside. Rex should have a walk every time a viewing takes place. Similarly, do make sure that Rex’s aroma – and that of any other animals - is long gone before the potential buyer arrives.

There are several reasons why the house selling season starts in the spring, and one is the undeniable fact that homes and gardens look better in good weather. It’s also true that people feel better in themselves on a sunny day, and though we are all supposed to buy property with our heads nor our hearts, no one should under-estimate the feelgood factor.

If you live on a busy road, the summer holidays are the time to sell, so make the most of them. Traffic levels will be lower until the schools go back, so act fast to make sure your home goes up for sale at exactly the right time.

If none of this seems to have worked and your property sticks on the market, don’t panic. If your house doesn’t sell quickly don’t be nervous about reviewing your guide price. Put it in perspective and weigh it against the price you are paying for your next home – all that matters is the relativity, not the actual sums. Also, consider what it could cost you in both cash and stress if your property really sticks on the market.

Talk to your agents, and be honest with them about your aspirations. Similarly, insist that they are honest with you. I wouldn’t advise anyone to switch agents for the sake of it; you chose your current agent for a good reason, but it is a good idea to ask yourself if that still holds true. Don’t be backward in asking them to review their marketing, and make sure that their advertising conveys the best points of the house.

There are also things which you can do. Try rearranging the furniture, and then take new photographs, both inside and out – especially outside if flowers and shrubs have come into bloom. Try to make the house look different, and perhaps have the photographs taken professionally. It won’t have helped if people have seen the same old picture in the paper week in and week out. Make sure that your agents update the listing on their website too.

Finally, good luck! No matter what anyone says about the science of selling houses, there is an element of chance in finding the right buyer for your home. So hanging a horseshoe over the front door might not be a bad idea!