Spring has long been Australia's busiest selling season. Domain's analysis of the past decade shows sales volumes lifting by an average of 8.4 per cent from winter to spring. This year looks a little different, with Cotality data showing new listings in the four weeks to 23 August were 8.2 per cent below the five-year average, yet the total number of homes advertised nationwide was still 1.7 per cent above it. In Melbourne, new listings fell by 9 per cent.

Fewer people are listing, but buyers still have plenty to choose from, so presentation matters more than ever. If you're selling in Northcote or nearby Thornbury, clearing clutter before photos and inspections is easy with a flexible storage unit such as Storage in Northcote, which offers month by month rentals, individually alarmed units and drive through access, so you can clear the house without a long contract. Whether you're selling, moving or doing both, here's how to prepare without losing your mind.

Start with the free fix: declutter

Decluttering costs nothing and does more for a listing than almost any other change. Clear the benchtops, take surplus furniture off the floors, and pack away piles of paper, shoes and toys. Remove anything that makes a room look smaller, but don't strip it back so far that the home feels empty.

ANZ's guide for sellers suggests staging cupboards and storage spaces about one-third full, so buyers come away with the impression there's plenty of room. It also notes that a well-organised garage can be a selling point.

Depersonalise the space

Buyers need to picture their own life in your home. Family photos, fridge-door collages and big personal collections can get in the way, so pack most of them up. A few neutral touches, such as fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit, keep the place feeling warm without making it feel like yours.

Fix, clean and freshen

Small defects send big signals. A loose doorknob, a cracked benchtop or a broken cupboard door can make buyers wonder what else has been neglected, so tackle repairs first. Then book a deep clean before the photographer and the first open home.

Out the front, tidy the façade and garden. Some buyers decide whether to stop or keep driving based on what they see from the street, and spring is on your side here, because gardens tend to show a property at its best.

Weigh up styling

Professional styling can help, but it isn't compulsory. According to OpenAgent, a simple consultation can cost from around $200, while full staging typically runs between $1,500 and $6,000 depending on the size of the home and the service. Either way, decluttering and a deep clean are the foundation, and a local agent who knows your suburb is just as important.

Choose your agent early

Preparation only goes so far without the right person guiding the campaign. Speak to a few local agents before you commit, ask how they'd price and market your home, and find out how they'd handle open homes if you're still living there. John McGrath has noted that even in softer markets it's still possible to sell well if the fundamentals of the campaign are right, and a good agent will tell you which of your home's strengths to lead with.

Pack early if you're moving

If you're buying again, start with what you won't need before settlement: out-of-season clothes, books, spare linen and decorative items. Label every box by the room it's headed to, and keep one "open first" box with the basics for your first night. Book removalists early, as popular dates can fill up.

Find somewhere for the overflow

Boxes stacked in the garage or spare room defeat the purpose of decluttering, because buyers open doors and cupboards. The answer is to get the surplus out of the house altogether.

Look for monthly terms so you're not locked into a long contract, secure units, and easy vehicle access for loading. Keeping it local helps too, because a facility in Northcote with seven-day access means a quick run if you need something back before an open home. Picking up boxes and packing supplies at the same place saves a second stop.

Work to a simple timeline

Give yourself a few weeks, and tackle things in this order:

1.    Declutter and sort: Keep, sell, donate or bin.

2.    Repairs and deep clean: Do these before any photos are taken.

3.    Styling and street appeal: Tidy the garden and refresh the entrance.

4.    Photography and first open home: By now the house should be ready to go.

Selling or moving is rarely stress-free, but it gets a lot easier when you break it into steps and get a head start. Clear the clutter, fix the small things and give your Northcote home the best chance to shine, and you'll go into spring with confidence.