You have decided to sell your house, have engaged the services of a Real Estate Agent or decided to handle the sale yourself and are just waiting for prospective buyers to call. Someone arranges to view but, after a quick inspection, they leave never to be heard from again. What went wrong? Here are seven of the best ways to put off your buyer.

1. A house that smells of cigarette smoke or animals does not provide a welcome to visitors. Stale cooking odors are also to be avoided. While you are used to your home and may not be aware of any odors, they will be immediately obvious to any visitors.

2. Family pets should be moved outside during a visit. Many people are afraid of dogs and not everyone is keen on cats or other pets.

3. Dimly lit rooms. Buyers like a light and airy atmosphere so all curtains and blinds should be drawn back. Turn on the lights as well if the room is naturally on the dark side.

4. Dirty bathrooms and kitchens are an immediate turnoff. Make sure that these rooms are spotless and all towels freshly laundered. All cooking pots should be put away and all clutter removed. This applies to all other rooms as well.

5. Poor decorations and worn carpets will give an impression of general dingeyness. Almost as bad is loud wallpaper which can be overpowering. While buyers can imagine how a freshly decorated room would look, it is far better for them to see the fresh paint when they visit.

6. Even worse than poor decorations is mould on the walls and damp in the basement. Apart from the visual disfigurement mould can also be the cause of an unpleasant smell.

7. Owners who hover while buyers are looking round. Unless you are showing the buyers round yourself, leave it to the Agent and make sure that all members of your family are out of the way, preferably outside, while the buyers are present.

Avoid these common mistakes and your house will provide a welcoming atmosphere which will increase your chances of any early sale.