You only get one chance to make a first impression! When it comes to selling your home, attention to detail could be pivotal in securing an early sale at the best possible price.

Most buyers have a good idea of their preferred location, minimum accommodation needs and ideal style of property. Yet it is often presentation that makes the greatest difference. A well-presented property not only looks more attractive, but also suggests that the owners have cared for it and regard it as their home.

So here are a few tips that we hope sellers might find useful:
	A Clean and tidy property suggests that a home is loved, so make a point of cleaning and clearing away any unnecessary kids toys, magazines, junk etc.
	The front of your property is very important. Remember this is what your prospective buyers will see on the internet, window displays, sales brochures etc.
	Have the carpets cleaned if needed. They may have to last the new buyer some time.
	The bathroom should be clean and fresh, replace any mouldy grout/sealant before the photos are taken.
	The garden for some buyers is just as important as the interior! So brushing pathways, mowing the lawns, clearing leaves etc is a must.
	Repair loose floorboards, any failed sealed units, leaking gutters etc. prior to marketing.
	Open all windows before any viewings to rid the property of any cooking or pet odours.
	Make sure the house is staged and well-lit for the measure-up and viewings.
	Avoid hanging too much on the back of doors. Overcrowded hooks prevent doors from opening fully, making rooms look smaller
	Clear out and declutter your house and don’t forget the garage.
	If you are at home while people are viewing your property, let them look round the property again on their own so that they can gather their own thoughts and impressions.

Ideas to help make the most of your bedrooms

It goes without saying that bedrooms should be tidy, clean and fresh. Think of elegant hotel rooms. Comfortable and stylish, they are impersonal. Do not be fooled into thinking that your visitors will be too embarrassed to open cupboards; they will want to see how much storage space you have, so it is best to keep cupboards tidy.

Spare bedrooms crammed wall-to-wall with boxes and junk are not attractive. You must show a spare room as a bedroom. It should look just as attractive as your main bedroom, so if it hasn’t been decorated for a while, get painting.

The kitchen is the heart of the home

The quality of the kitchen can determine whether a property can be regarded as modernised or un-modernised, and it is little wonder that so much money is spent on kitchen design and fitting.

When we prepare property details, we find a colour photograph of a well-presented kitchen particularly appeals to purchasers. So when you come to sell, make sure that your kitchen is looking its very best. Older kitchens can be given a new lease of life with new doors fitted to the original carcasses, but keep the colour scheme conservative if you wish to appeal to the widest range of prospective purchasers.