You need more space, you’re relocating, its time to downsize – whatever the reason your selling your house you’ll want it to be as quick and as painless as possible. Having strangers walking through your property examining every nook and cranny is intrusive enough but the feeling gets even worse when they turn round and say “nah, it’s not for us”.

For the lucky few, selling a property can take a matter of days but for the vast majority of home owners it can take months and in extreme cases years until an offer is finally agreed. For this reason it’s probably worth spending a bit of time and effort sprucing your property up to get it ready for viewings as first impressions definitely count when it comes to house selling.

So what is it that the buyers are looking for when they visit a property and how can you make yours more ‘saleable’?

Cleanliness – Dirty properties instantly put off potential buyers. If the property looks dirty and unloved, it gives the impression that the property as a whole has been neglected and potentially could be riddled with problems. Before putting your property on the market clean and vacuum every room from top to bottom including those areas you normally only clean every so often.

Practical room layouts – People need to be able to visualise themselves living in the property so rooms should be laid out as they would be used freeing up as much floor space as possible. Lay up the dinning table, put fresh flowers out in the living room, tidy washing away – the more appealing it looks on first viewing the more likely the viewer will be to return.

Clutter free – Moving house is a good time to have a good clear out and take unwanted items down to the charity shop and any rubbish to the tip. If your house is extremely cluttered it could be worth boxing up some of your possessions and placing them in storage until the property is sold. By getting rid of old items you begin to disassociate yourself with the property in preparation for the move and the depersonalising of the property prevents viewers getting distracted whilst viewing your home.

Curb appeal and welcoming entrance hall - First impressions count so take some time neatening up the outside of your house including cleaning windows, cutting back grass and plants, brushing up the path way and clearing out the gutters. Potential buyers will often drive past a property first before deciding whether to view it so it’s essential the property looks well maintained from a far. In addition make sure the entrance hall looks clean and welcoming to viewers.

Pet free – If you own a pet take extra care to ensure you eradicate any pet related smells or animal hair prior to a viewing. Not everyone is an animal lover and if pets are running freely around the property during a viewing, it could put off potential buyers.

Outstanding work – Finish off any small jobs you have been meaning to do for a while such as hanging a towel rail, touching up areas of chipped paintwork or plastering a hole under the windowsill. Properties which require essential maintenance will appeal to a smaller audience.

Well maintained garden – Make sure the garden looks neat and tidy and if you are selling during the summer months, set out a few garden chairs so viewers can appreciate the extra room that comes with having outdoor space.

Potential buyers can fall in love with a property in a matter of minutes so first impressions are crucial. Make sure you spend a bit of time and effort on your property before inviting the estate agent round for valuation to make sure you maximise the amount of money you can make on your property at sale.