Simple steps to get selling a home off to a good start

As with moving, selling a property is rightly regarded as one of the most stressful episodes of life, with numerous potential pitfalls standing in the way of achieving a smooth transaction.

However, while many issues are out of a seller's hands - not least matters further along the house-selling chain - and others are usually best tackled with professional help, regardless of the added costs, there are a few simple steps sellers can take to ensure that not only does their home attracts buyers, but that a deal goes through with as few problems as possible.

In particular, would-be sellers can do much to ensure that the whole process gets off to a flying start, with even the simplest of tactics enabling them to make their property stand out from similar homes on the market.

Take away the personal touch

Understandably, people like to make a house a home, with personal touches such as photographs, travel mementos or children's drawings to be found on walls up and down the country.

At the same time, however, prospective buyers like to see a blank slate so that they can imagine themselves living in a house or apartment.

Uncomfortable as it may be, therefore, it makes good sense to clear away any personal touches if only for the duration of a visit by estate agents or would-be buyers, while all unnecessary clutter should also be hidden away, with this giving the added benefit of making a property appear more spacious.

Freshen a home up

As well as being a blank slate upon which buyers can project their future dreams, a home also needs to be inviting, meaning any mess or unwelcome distractions can derail a potential sale.

While it should go without saying that sellers should tidy and clean up before a viewing, it can still be easy to get complacent as owners struggle to juggle multiple visitors with carrying on with everyday life.

To overcome this, it could be an idea to ask an estate agent to block-book viewings over a few days rather than have them spread out over the space of several weeks.

This could allow sellers to take the time off work to get a home up to scratch, including ensuring no DIY jobs are left half-finished, while also making it easier to send any kids or pets off to grandparents or friends so as to reduce stress and mess.

Other simple steps that can go a long way to making prospective buyers welcome, thereby making a sale more likely, include ensuring that they have space to park when they come to view.

Setting the temperature just right is also a good tactic, as is - though it may be a cliche that most savvy buyers are only too aware of these days -the creation of 'homely' smells such as freshly-baked bread or flowers. Similarly, buyers are often put off by the aroma of spicy foods or cigarette smoke.

Be the perfect host

Once the house is ready, all that sellers need to do is make sure that they are up to the job of showing all that their home has to offer.

Of course, it makes sense to let an estate agent take the lead in any viewings, largely as their professional knowledge on matters such as the going rate for properties in a certain area or issues such as tax and energy efficiency rates is likely to be called upon.

However, the owners themselves can complement this dry knowledge with a more personal touch, again helping would-be buyers to better imagine their new lives in a home.

Knowledge of local schools or friendly neighbours can go a long way towards influencing a decision, though in the same way, any potential shortcomings of a property or an area should be carefully avoided or at least played-down so as to keep a deal on-track.