Home Buying & Selling Tips Finish off small DIY jobs. Before a buyer steps into a house, they will have already formed an impression. A well-kept garden, pathway and fence make the place more attractive. To prevent rooms looking too bland use strong colours for accent walls. Take the 'you' out of the house by removing personal items, such as family photographs. A regular lick of paint will keep a property looking good and keep deterioration at bay. A newly painted front door with shiny brass fittings always creates a good impression. Cutting the lawn can be a last-minute pick-me-up. Feeding it a couple of weeks beforehand will brighten it up and make it look healthy. An economical trick is to fit good solid worktops on to existing units. Check your roof and guttering, replace broken tiles and repair the lead flashing. It's worth casting an eye over the drains too. Paint walls a pale, plain shade maximises the feeling of light and space. Research shows that most buyers prefer natural, earthy colours to bright, bold shades. Plant pots can provide colour in your garden. If you don't have the time to fill your own, you can always get some ready-made. Flowers and a bowl of fruit will brighten up a room and provide a pleasant smell. Organise rooms a property will be more appealing if rooms have a specific purpose and this allows buyers to see the full potential of the property. Restoring fireplaces and period features, such as ceiling roses and cornices, can add thousands of pounds to a property. Avoid strong food odours don't cook food such as fish or curry before a viewing as the smell will linger. The smell of freshly baked bread or fresh coffee though is said to provide a welcoming feel to a home. Ask friends or family to look after any pets during viewings. Make potential buyers feel welcome. Before you start looking for your dream home, do your sums carefully. Work out what you can afford and how much you can borrow. Start your research into desirable areas. The web is a great tool, so use it. Narrow down your wants to be as specific as possible. Start introducing yourself to estate agents and get yourself on some mailing lists. A mortgage is probably the biggest debt you'll ever take on, so don't rush it. Make sure you're informed about what to expect from a mortgage before you approach an adviser. Buying a flat? Make sure you understand any special conditions. As the buyer, you will need to organise a valuation and a survey of the property Make sure you buy insurance for your new property. Get your financing in place and appoint a solicitor this effectively puts you in the 'Go' square on the Monopoly board of real-life property buying. Focus first on the agents who are the prime dealers in the type of property you want. Impress upon both vendors and agents that you are ready to move: you've done the research, you know what you want, and the finance is ready. Be clear about what you are looking for and where be realistic because you rarely get everything. Be keen give estate agents your work, home and mobile numbers. A mobile phone is extremely useful when buying property. Be charming during a viewing. Human nature dictates that we all prefer to deal with people who are likeable and efficient. If you have made a good impression with a vendor you will have pushed yourself towards the top of their list of potential buyers. When you spot a property that might suit you, make an appointment to view immediately. Make notes as you go around a property. Mark down the good points, bad points and layout. If you really like a property, be enthusiastic and make an appointment to view a second time. Make sure you keep up to date about properties coming on the market in your target area. Don't get cross or impatient with estate agents keep your smile, keep your cool and keep calling. Don't lie back and wait for it to all happen be keen and proactive with your chosen estate agents.