Doctor in the house

That has more to do with the quiet housing market over Christmas and the New Year than anything else. Nevertheless, despite having received an offer, we decided to go ahead and let design consultant - for which read house doctor - Gill Robinson do her stuff anyway.

And what an eye-opener it was. Gill is a slim, fair-haired woman in her early forties, a former graphic designer from Escrick. She has a quietly diplomatic manner, so that when she tells uncomfortable home truths about the mess you have allowed your house to get into, you don't take offence.

We're very proud of our house and like to think we keep it nice. OK, we lead busy lives and don't clean and tidy as often as we could. And somehow, in four years we've never got around to decorating. And as for that new kitchen we always thought we'd put in... well, we just got used to the one we have.

This is exactly the type of thinking many people selling their homes fall into, says Gill. But the point is, when you putting your house on the market, you have to showcase it. You grow comfortable with the way your home is, and naturally the clutter of your personal life builds up around you. But that's not going to help you sell. Clean, neutral and uncluttered is the thing.

Gill started her own design consultancy business after her youngest daughter started school, deciding to apply her designer's eye to assessing how those wanting to sell could best showcase their home. It was the success of TV's House Doctor, and her own experience of moving home, that gave her the idea.

"We've moved so many times and I've looked around that many houses, and what hits me more than anything else is how some people even expect to sell their homes at all when they haven't even cleaned or done obvious things," she says.

"The thing is, people living in a house don't actually see the problems, because they are so used to being there. Even a friend won't tell you, because they don't want to hurt your feelings.

"But you have to remember you're competing with other properties of a similar price. You've got to be better than them."

It needn't cost a fortune, she insists. Simply a lick of paint, a clean and tidy up and a quick re-arrangement of furniture can work wonders.

The other thing that can help, but which many sellers find difficult, is to 'depersonalise' your house. You have to make up your mind that you are going to move, and then clear away many of the knickknacks, photos and other personal affects that reflect your character, Gill says.

"If a house is neutral people looking around see the house and not the contents," she says. "But if there are too many personal things, they cannot see themselves living there, all they can see is what you've got."

So much for the theory. How does it work out in practice?

It is the outside of the house that prospective buyers see first - often on a drive-past before making an appointment to view. If they don't like what they see, they may never even get to look at the inside. So that's where Gill started her assessment of our house...

The exterior

The net curtains in the front window droop in the middle, Gill points out, which gives a bad first impression from outside. The best thing would be to get rid of them completely, which would also let more light in. The front door could do with smartening up, possibly with a lick of varnish. Our yew tree could be clipped, to tidy it up, and the bush under the window cut back so it doesn't block the light.

Sitting room

A large, traditional room with feature fireplace, heavy furniture and a three-piece suite draped in throws.

The TV along one wall dominates the room, simply because we can't think of anywhere else to put it. It should go in the corner alcove where it will be less obtrusive, Gill suggests, and one of the heavy armchairs removed so it doesn't hide the fireplace, which should be made the focus of the room.

She also suggests removing the throws from the armchairs and sofas to give a cleaner, lighter look.

Generally, there is too much furniture and clutter. Some of the furniture could be put in storage and personal clutter removed from the bookshelves.

Kitchen

The ageing kitchen units could have new doors put on at comparatively low cost, and false fronts in the same material could be built in to hide the storage areas either side of the cooker, which are piled with bags and bottles awaiting recycling. A superficial crack in the plasterwork should be filled and painted, and blinds fitted to the windows.

Bathroom

There's no towel rail, Gill points out. A free-standing rail would allow colour co-ordinated towels to be displayed, which would lift the whole room. Also, too much clutter (creams, salves, shampoos) along the edge of the bath. Clearing it away would give a tidier, cleaner appearance.

Bedrooms

The bedlinen in the main bedroom could be changed to co-ordinate with the rest of the colour scheme - at the moment it is a bit of a clash. There is too much furniture and clutter in the second bedroom, including the wind chimes hanging in the window, which could be removed.

By getting rid of the bookcase on one wall, the study table could be re-arranged in an alcove to make the room seem bigger and lighter, Gill suggests.

The third bedroom is dominated by a metal hanger laden with coats and topped by old copies of the Evening Press. It should all go, she suggests: and the terracotta-coloured room could be painted a brighter, neutral colour - possibly cream - to lighten it and make it seem bigger.

All three bedrooms should have shades rather than the naked bulbs we have now.

Cost

Gill charges £50 for a consultation. The cost of 'dressing' our house would be mainly in getting new doors on the kitchen units, she says. For the rest, it's a matter of tidying away personal clutter, perhaps putting a few items of furniture in storage, and giving some rooms a lick of paint. Altogether, that shouldn't cost more than £500 - which should be easily recouped in the asking price. "You might spend £500 altogether, but make £5,000 on the house," she says. "Then you've got an extra £4,500 towards the next house."

Gill Robinson can be contacted on 01904 728602 or 07761 207987.

Top tips:

Make sure your house is clean - bring in a cleaner for the day if necessary

Too much furniture makes rooms seem small and crowded. It may pay to put some in storage to give a lighter, roomier feel

Clear away personal clutter to make the home seem more tidy and spacious

Touch up any cracks in walls with filler and a lick of paint. Painting can also freshen up a room

Painting your house in more neutral colours may make it easier to sell

Updated: 10:13 Saturday, January 11, 2003