1. Ignoring the outside, 2. Don't skimp on information, 3. Not doing your research, 4. Not sprucing up your home, 5. Rushing into a cash sale

Selling your home is widely regarded as one of the most stressful things you can do, up there with planning a wedding, getting divorced and losing your job in terms of sending your anxiety through the roof. Entering the property market - especially in the post-Covid era - can be tough, with recent research from conveyancers Moverly revealing overall sales in the UK are still 9% below what they were in the period before the pandemic (stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images)

All of this means it's important to take extra measures when selling your property with price, repairs and presentation, buyer validation, and a quality sales pack among the things you should be aware of when trying to sell your house in a competitive market. And it's all too easy to get things wrong too, but how can you avoid common mistakes? Over to Kelvin Elliott, Property Expert at Property Sale Watchdog, on what you might be doing wrong when you stick your home on the market - and how you can avoid such mistakes... (stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61)

1. Ignoring the outside

First impressions matter, and if prospective buyers are greeted with a chaotic front garden or a ton of rubbish sitting in the driveway then you may well see your chances of making a sale slip away. 'Don’t just focus on the inside of your home,' Elliott explains. 'Put yourself in the shoes of people viewing the house and consider whether the front of your house is appealing. This doesn’t have to cost a fortune, just simple things like maintaining any grass or shrubs, keeping bins out of sight and removing anything that doesn’t need to be there. You may want to give the front door a lick of paint, or at the very least give the windows and doors a clean. A property that looks unloved can turn people off before they even step foot on the plot' (stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Don't skimp on information

‘"Less is more" does not apply to promoting your house!' says Elliott, pointing out that buyers want to see as much information on a property as possible before arranging a viewing - which makes sense, given your home is likely the most expensive purchase you'll ever make. The expert adds: 'A listing with photos, videos, floorplan, and a detailed description is much more likely to have multiple interested parties than one with the bare minimum.' And he points out that decluttering matters too, saying: 'Removing some of your personal items helps the buyer see the room’s potential and imagine themselves living there – rather than only seeing your belongings'(stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Not doing your research

'It’s important to get multiple valuations on your property before you list it,'Elliott says. 'As well as finding out the estimated value from experts, take a look at what similar houses nearby have been selling for. Pricing your house too low may mean you miss out on its true worth. It could also deter people from viewing, as they may suspect the sub-average price is reflecting issues with the property.' Overpricing can also be a problem as he points out: 'If the house sits on the market too long, then people may draw the wrong conclusion that there is something wrong with the property, as it hasn’t sold already' (stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Not sprucing up your home

OK, so we're not saying you need to splash out thousands on giving your place a complete makeover. But likewise, not touching up the worst bits before you welcome buyers in might not be the best idea. Over to Elliott: 'If there are jobs that have been on the "to do list" for a while, now is the time to get them done. Fixing broken cupboard doors, painting the kids’ bedroom, repairing rotten window frames, and finishing the tiling in the kitchen…these kinds of imperfections can not only put buyers off but potentially leave you open for them to negotiate a lower price on the property' (stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images)

He added: 'Although most people don’t expect homeowners to live with perfect surroundings all the time, it’s worth trying to keep the house presentable in case you have any last-minute viewings. Although you should normally receive enough time to hide bags of things in your car boot or shed, you don’t want to have to spend hours getting your home in "viewing order". Try to keep your home presentable and "open house" ready' (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Rushing into a cash sale

Getting a buyer who's willing to pay cash might sound perfect, especially if you're looking to sell quickly - but according to Elliott rushing into such an arrangement isn't ideal. 'Often cash buyers don’t require all the repairs and so you could save money on refurbishments, and you won’t have estate agent commission fees,' he says. 'As attractive as a cash sale sounds, I’d recommend heading into an arrangement with caution – sadly, scams aren’t uncommon and sometimes homeowners rush ahead and end up being inflicted with hidden fees. Ensure buyers are reputable, and validate their legitimacy, seek legal advice and be wary about signing a contract that may catch you out further down the line' (stock photo) (Picture: Getty Images)