With house prices hitting record highs in the UK over recent years, many homeowners have found themselves sitting on a tidy little nest egg when it comes to equity levels. In order to cash in on this rising equity many homeowners have decided to sell up and make an impressive profit on their homes, with some deciding to downgrade to smaller properties. If you are thinking of selling your home you need to remember the importance of getting it just right there are certain things that potential buyers will want in a property, and there are also certain things that you should avoid, which could put potential buyers off.

1. Neutralize the dcor. You may think that your flowery 1970's wallpaper looks great, but potential buyers may think quite differently. It is therefore best to neutralize the dcor using pale colours such as cream or magnolia. These will enable potential buyers to see a blank canvas on which they can stamp their own mark, and can also help to make the rooms look larger.

2. Remember the importance of the kitchen and bathroom. Most potential buyers will pay particular attention to the kitchen and the bathroom in the property, and therefore you need to make sure that these rooms are clean, tidy, and updated. If you can get new fixtures and fitting in the event that the old ones are quite worn this could make a huge difference. If the fixtures and fittings are in good condition, and the rooms look modern and practical, then a good clean and tidy will suffice.

3. Dont forget first impressions. Often, buyers sub-consciously make up their mind about a property upon first impression, and this means that you need to have the outside of the home looking good. Make sure that the front lawn is looking trim, tidy, and in the summer add some colourful plants. Windows and front door should be clean, and make sure that curtains and blinds are open to appear more welcoming and improve lighting.

4. Pay attention to detail. There are always unfinished jobs around the house that we have been meaning to do for years, and now is the time to get them done. You may have forgotten about the hole in the wall or the creaky floorboard, but these are all little things that potential buyers will pick up on.

5. Make your home welcoming. It's amazing how much difference smells, sights, and sounds can make when it comes to making a home feel more welcoming. In addition to ensuring that the home is clean and sparkling both inside and out, make sure that you use subtle fragrance air fresheners, such as the plug in ones, which will leave a pleasant aroma in each room. Many people still swear by the smell of coffee, so you may want to get the coffee on shortly before the buyers come to view.