First impressions count

You never get a second chance to make a first impression and that has never been truer than when selling your home.

You have one chance to draw the buyers in and, if they don't like what they see, they will simply go elsewhere.

There are very few buyers who will go back to a property that they have already dismissed.

It is therefore absolutely crucial to get all aspects of the initial impression right.

First impressions count.

The first time that buyers will see your home is through photos, in the estate agent's details, or on the web.

If the photos do not show a home that they can see themselves living in, buyers will go no further and move on to the next home that has more appeal.

These photos must be able to draw the buyer in to want to see more - and they are judging it against the stylish homes in magazines and on TV. People always want to move to a home that they aspire to live in.

If you can get the pictures right, they will want to see it in reality, and you are one step closer to your sale.

The next stage may be to drive past it, just to see exactly where it is located and the general look of the place and the neighbourhood.

If your property looks in poor repair from the outside, they will assume that it will be the same on the inside.

This is why one of the key areas to tackle when presenting your home for sale is the frontage.

Following these general tips will help show your house off to its maximum to any potential buyers that pass by: l Ensure the property number can be seen from the road l Clean windows inside and out - wash down all paintwork l If it is a painted house, ensure the paintwork looks new l Ensure windowsills are free from clutter inside and out l Make sure the window dressings inside the house are uniform and properly hung l Hide away large bins (if this isn't possible, screen them off) and any other distractions (children's toys etc) l Cut back overgrown shrubs and anything lifeless l Cut the lawn, weed the flowerbeds l Show the entrance clearly and make it welcoming with a hanging basket. Polish all door furniture and possibly add a welcome mat l Ensure that if you have the space, there is off road parking on show.

Once the buyer is ready they will look to view the property, and when they do, the key is to not disappoint.

Keeping your home looking as good as it did in the pictures all the time is one of the hardest parts of the presentation process - living in a staged home is not the same as living in a lived-in home, but if you can keep on top of the cleaning and tidying it will pay dividends for you.

What happens if you get a phone call to say prospective buyers are coming in half an hour?

Always try to be only 30 minutes away from being ready for a viewing as this can take a lot of the stress away, and if your property has been presented successfully, you hopefully won't have to live like that for long.

If you have not yet put your property on the market, it is worth staging it prior to valuations.

Remember - you are not only trying to gain a buyers offer, but you also need to ensure that the estate agent sees your home looking its best.

It will get the agent more enthusiastic about your property if they can see it looks good and will attract buyers.

If your property is on the market but not selling, it may be worth considering staging and then bringing your agent in to retake marketing photos.