SELLING HOUSES

Rightmove's 8 tips to sell your home for more

* Your front door is the centrepiece of your kerb appeal so repaint it in a tasteful colour. Update the outside lights and put potted plants on either side of the door.

* The entrance hall creates a first impression… make sure it is the right impression. Paint it in a neutral colour, remove any bulky furniture, upgrade the lighting and if you feel you need colour add it with accessories and a rug.

* The wrong lighting can make your home feel dark and drab so install brighter modern lights to make your home seem sunny, cheerful and up to date.

* Paint colour is such a personal choice and potential buyers are likely to want to customize it themselves. If you have dark rich colours then repaint in neutral hues.

* Avoid major overhauls, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, but do update the lighting, install new taps, mirrors and doorknobs if they are dated.

* Clutter. NO, NO, NO! How do you expect to impress potential buyers with a cluttered house? If you have outgrown your home, start packing and if you don’t have anywhere to put it then use storage.

* Back garden. The first thing people see when they walk out the back? An unkempt garden? Loose concrete slabs? Your back garden should look like a space for entertaining. If need be, buy inexpensive patio furniture, potted plants and install some outdoor lighting to tie it all together.

* Clean – Buyers expect to see an immaculate home with no signs of dirt. Remove last night’s Indian take away from the worktops and do the washing up. Potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in “your” space, your perfectly clean home.