WHAT exactly is it that tempts buyers to make that all-important offer?

This can be a tricky question to answer, and knowing where to start can feel impossible.

Here are five simple and effective ways that you make a big impression on potential buyers:

1) Redecorate with neutrals

Though lime green wallpaper and brown-coloured carpets may be your favourite colour palette, the average buyer may not share the same view when they come to visit.

You should implement a clear, sophisticated and consistent colour scheme throughout your home, considering the different design elements that comprise your property - such as your walls, floor, furniture and other furnishings.

Consider swapping out worn laminate flooring for contemporary grey floor tiles, or that lime green wallpaper with an elegant shade of off-white paint.

Updating your property with a lick of neutral paint is the most cost-efficient way to prepare for viewings. This way, you can transform each room into a blank canvas and allow your property to appeal to a broader audience - so buyers of all tastes can picture themselves living there.

2) Declutter and depersonalise

As anyone viewing your house will need to be able to imagine themselves living there, decluttering and depersonalising should be at the top of your home prep agenda.

Decluttering can be as easy as following the rule of three – that is, don’t have more than three items (excluding books) per shelf, or you’ll risk creating unnecessary clutter and making the room appear smaller. Use stylish storage solutions in kitchens and bathrooms to neaten up the space.

Even if you enjoy the eclectic look, to get serious about selling, you should consider making changes to ramp up appeal for potential buyers - your new property will welcome your personal taste with open arms.

Depersonalising is much along the same lines, with the focus on Pack away personal objects like framed photos to introduce a sense of neutrality to the space.

Put away any quirky or kitsch features (such as that antique goose sculpture you have a soft spot for); while personality has its place, it’s worth hiding any polarising features ahead of viewings to give you the best chance of securing interest.

Once you’re ready, it’s worth having a thorough clean – or hiring a professional cleaner to do it for you - to show your property in its best light when potential buyers visit.

3) Take care of outside spaces

Try to imagine what guests will see as they approach your property the day of the viewing – will they see a clean, tidy space, suitable for a warm summer day? Will they see a messy, uncared-for area that looks completely forgotten?

First impressions count, so it’s important that you take care to keep your outside areas tidy ahead of a viewing. 

Consider obvious actions like mowing the lawn, keeping bins out of sight (if possible) and repairing any visible damage to the property’s exterior.

If you’ve got pets, it might be worth having them stay with a friend or family member while your place is on the market to ensure that your property remains clean and tidy throughout all viewings!

4) Look at others for inspiration

Conducting a little market research is generally a good idea, whether you’re selling a property or starting a business - so consider looking at the current housing market for inspiration.

With today’s technology, you don’t even have to leave the house to see what you’re up against – you can scour the market locally, regionally and nationally online to learn more about what appeals to buyers.

View properties from a neutral standpoint, considering what is it that would attract you to their place if you were browsing the property market.

Don’t focus on fancy features - we’d all love a house with a pool - but instead look at how they’ve adapted the house to suit potential buyers.

Also consider what would put you off as a buyer, and avoid replicating these elements in your own house.

5. Concentrate on renovation projects that pay

If your budget, time, or both, are limited, then consider concentrating on the two key rooms that offer the greatest return on investment – your kitchen and bathroom. 

Remodelling an outdated kitchen to a modern spec ups the appeal in the eyes of buyers, who can imagine themselves living there in the years ahead without thinking of the drastic renovations and updates they’ll need to do first.

For leaner budgets, bathrooms are a great way to increase home value, as their smaller size makes them suitable for improvements that won’t break the bank.

You could create a focal point with a stylish standalone bath, or swap out your sink for a more contemporary model to make a positive impression on potential buyers.

You should also remove anything potentially off-putting - such as 70s-inspired carpeting or rusty faucets - or risk losing interest quickly.

With sellers faced with so much pressure to make a strong and immediate impression during initial viewings, it pays to put effort into your property’s appearance ahead of the day.

From decluttering and tidying to kitchen and bathroom updates, there are tons of ways to make first impressions count.

Follow our five tips and you’ll be well on your way to finding the ideal buyer for your home.