One of the easiest ways to lose time after accepting an offer is to start looking for all the paperwork only then. I would prepare as much as possible before your property even goes onto the market. That might include council tax bills, service charge information, utility bills, planning documents for extensions, damp guarantees and guarantees or certificates relating to double glazing.

There are times when sellers become fixed on the asking price and find it difficult to consider anything below it, but an asking price is not a guarantee of what somebody will pay. Particularly in a buyer's market, some flexibility can make the difference between agreeing a sale and sitting on the market for months.

When somebody makes an offer on your home, respond as promptly as you reasonably can. A buyer who has viewed your home, thought about it and made an offer is engaged with the property at that moment. If you leave them waiting for days without an answer, that enthusiasm can start to disappear.

Working from home has made dedicated workspace much more important to buyers. The good news is that you do not necessarily need an entire spare bedroom to create one.

If you have some money available to improve your home before selling, I would pay particular attention to the kitchen and bathroom.

One of the things I like about an open house is that buyers can see that other people are interested in the property.

When an estate agent comes to value your home, do not spend the whole meeting talking about the asking price.

The photographs of your home have an incredibly important job to do: they need to make somebody want to come and see it.

The photographs of your home have an incredibly important job to do: they need to make somebody want to come and see it.

A lot of sellers assume that the first offer should automatically be rejected. The property has only just come onto the market, so surely there will be another buyer willing to pay more? Sometimes there will be. But sometimes that first offer really is the best offer you are going to receive. When a property first comes onto the market, it is fresh. Buyers who are actively looking will notice it, interest is at its highest and motivated purchasers will want to view. If the pr