I can totally second, or third (?) lol the laundry basket thing. before each OFI (and the last minute private inspections) we would throw everything in the car that needed throwing in...like dirty laundry, vacuum, mop (we would do a quick mop on the way out).

immediate pre inspection tips over winter are to remember to have the heating on beforehand and then turn down (but still on!) while inspection is on.

for the garden, i would be tempted if it looks really mangy to rip out the espalier. i mean, if it was a healthy tree and all that, i'd keep it, but if it is struggling get it out. it will be part of the first impressions if it is at the front of the house. Would it be in the photo of the front of the place??

we painted our walls and hired a cleaner. we decluttered BIG TIME. but i did keep some small personal pics of the kids sitting on the fire place mantle. (only because i knew it would be a family home and i remember loving to 'see' the family that made the home theirs before we wanted it). but seriously, everything else went. good chance to start packing already!

oh, and i forgot to mention that we also laid down new turf ourselves in the backyard as our chooks had decimated the patch lol.

I will PM you our photo spread sheet of our place when it was up for sale...might be handy...as you may remember the jumble and chaos of the house lol.

Also, does your RE offer the free in house stylist? i found the one we had to be handy. i didnt take everything on board as i was fairly certain that it would be a young family buying our house rather than a professional couple, so took most things on board, but didnt go overboard.