5 ways to increase the value of your property

2. Add a new kitchen or bathroom
According to a survey by B&Q, the average value added to a property by replacing an old kitchen with a new one is £5,000, and £3,000 for a bathroom. If you are feeling brave and able to install a bathroom yourself, B&Q suggests that it should cost around a third of the price of having it done professionally: on average around £1,300 (or £3,250 if you get a builder in).

'If you want to increase the value of your property I recommend updating your kitchen and bathroom,' suggests Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents.

'Many people consider these to be the key rooms in a home and modernising these areas will certainly help boost both the value of your property.'

3. Make your home lighter
Tara O'Gorman, an interior designer (www.taramichelleinteriors.com), suggests making your home lighter to create a more welcoming atmosphere and ultimately increase the price.

'The entrance hall is the first impression of the inside of any home. Create some interest here with the use of warm and inviting colours, such as Farrow & Ball's 'String' colour, or some interesting wallpaper. Add interest and a feeling of light with a crystal chandelier (see our top ten modern chandeliers), quirky mirrors and pictures.'

4. Add a garage
Garages are an increasingly effective selling feature for house hunters. A garage costs between £15,000 and £40,000 to build, but the outlay is likely to be recouped in full when it comes to selling.

Jeremy Leaf says: 'If parking is difficult and expensive in your area, or security of cars is an issue and the rest of the street has a garage, then you should definitely build one.'

5. De-clutter
If you have lived somewhere for more than 10 years, order a mini-skip and throw out anything you are not using.

'People accumulate far too much clutter, and to show your property off to its best advantage, potential buyers need to be able to see the rooms,' says Noel Harris of Bowes Mitchell estate agency.

'And if you are the type of person who can't bear to throw away those birthday cards you received 20 years ago then it's time to call in the professionals. There are 'de-clutter consultants' who will do it for you, such as Anita Kenna (www.anita-design.co.uk).