We want to upsize our family home, we are completely overwhelmed at the thought

Having very recently moved home, with two babies, two pugs and business each, my husband and I feel your concerns. However, you can make this very exciting move easier with a little planning.

• Work room by room and reduce as many of your belongings as possible, donating anything that is no longer used, needed or wanted. Organise what’s left into the things you’ll need for the next six months only and box everything else up in the garage, loft or with a friend or relative. There are plenty of storage units locally that we can recommend.
• On the day of your photoshoot, our photographers are unlikely to take photos inside cupboards, garages, sheds, or the downstairs toilet, so use these spaces for any last-minute clutter. It’s not uncommon for us to find clients squeezing the clothes airer, dog bed and kitchen bin into the boot of the car just as the photographers arrive.
• If you don’t have time to deep clean the house prior to marketing, invest in a one off clean and book a window cleaner for inside and out. Lastly, touch up any heavily scuffed paintwork.

Nobody expects your property to look like a show home – lived in is also fine. However, do try and make sure the space doesn’t look cluttered, this can make the space appear small and viewers may feel they are also likely to outgrow the property.

As always, I’m happy to answer any private property dilemmas, you can get in touch via my e-mail lucie@wishartestateagents.co.uk or 01904 404558