Forget the decor - square footage was the most important thing I looked at when I was househunting. You can change the colour scheme, but you can't change the room size. That, and the location - it was absolutely vital that I was close to transport links for work, and that there was a decent local round the corner!
Lynne, Benfleet
Did you know? First-time buyers accounted for 35% of the property market in 2007, compared to 47% in 1998 - read more first-time buyer analysis
Top ten home interior trends
Find out about the latest home interior design trends from the experts, and how to achieve the look in your own home - from eco-furniture and Scandinavian design, to bold and bright decoration.
Ten property viewing tips
- Visit at different times of the day
- Check the property's exterior
- Ask about council tax and average utility bills
- Speak to neighbours
- Ask which appliances and fittings come with the property
- Enquire why the current owners are selling
- Check for signs of damp
- Ask if the property has any structural problems
- Check if the property is freehold or leasehold
- Read more property viewing tips
In your own words…
I'm selling a house: my agent says not one purchaser has looked at the 400 HIPs they've done so far. Solicitors look at them, but it doesn't seem to be making a blind bit of difference to the speed of transactions...
Antony, Kingston-upon-Thames
How to increase the value of your home
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