PROPERTY NEWS - Here are some tips to help sellers show off their homes in the best possible light.

Remove the clutter

It won't only make it appear larger, it will help the potential buyer imagine living in the home.

• Living room
Polish the coffee table and side tables. Wash the cushion covers and throws. If you're a smoker, remove ashtrays.

• Dining room
Remove all objects except the centre piece from the table. Remove additional chairs if they make the room seem crowded.

• The kitchen
Pack away all appliances. Wipe down all the cupboards an clean the handles if necessary.

• Bedrooms
Keep your dressing and bedside tables free from clutter by packing personal items away. Give lamps a good clean. Make the beds daily and if possible replace old or stained duvet covers.

• Bathrooms
Give the bath, shower, shower door and the sink a good scrub, ensuring that any mildew or mould is eradicated. pack away all personal items including facecloths, shampoos, bars of half-used soap and cosmetics. Bring out your best towels and hang them neatly on the rails. Clean and repack the medicine cabinet, ensuring the mirror is dirt and streak free. Replace old, broken toilet seats.

The exterior of the home is as important as the interior. Take an objective view of the outside of your home before you put it on the market.

It may seem like a lot of work but in a crowded market, it's highly probable that a well-priced, well-maintained home will sell faster than its overpriced, under-maintained counterpart.

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