How to make your home look more appealing to a wider range of potential buyers without breaking the bank - or your back.

EXTERNALLY:

• Touch up any peeling paintwork and repaint the front door. (Don't use red - a recent survey proved that red is the least favourite of colours for front doors).
• Weed the garden and path, pot flagging tubs with healthy plants.
• Consider planting sweet smelling plants near the front door.

INTERNALLY:

• Make sure your hall is warm, well lit and free of clutter, to give good first impressions.
• Store any unnecessary items, leaving the house muddle free. This will be a great help when it comes to moving and gives good indication of available space.
• Re-decorate where necessary, using neutral colours.
• Keep the house clean, tidy and presentable.
• Be aware that smoking and animal, particular dogs, can leave an unpleasant smell in your property. Take the dog(s) out if possible, some people are scared of them, and go round with the air freshener before the viewing.
• Make sure you light the fire and turn on table lamps if you have night time or winter viewers.
• Be welcoming, even if they have just interrupted your evening/weekend and they are the 50th lot of people to come round. They might just be the buyers the use of mirrors give the illusion of space and light.
• In small rooms- keep furniture to a minimum it will make the room look bigger.
• In large rooms deeper colours will make the room look cosier and inviting.
• Use ornaments and flowers to give a personal, “lived-in” feel to the property.
  
• Be open and honest about any questions that a buyer might have, don't make them feel suspicious, it might not be as bad after all.