How Not to sell your home – Mistake Three: poor marketing.
“Why canít I sell my home?” is the anguished wail of many a frustrated house seller, looking with despair at the lonely FOR SALE notice swinging in the breeze while the telephone remains silent.  In desperation, the seller drops the asking price and could well end up selling their property for below market level.
But it need not be like this.
Or to put it another way, itís not what you sell but the way that you sell it.
One of the biggest blunders are poor photographs in an estate agents window, newspaper adverts or websites.
An estimated three quarters of potential home buyers start looking for a home online.  This global digital shop window has great potential but is often undermined by poor quality photographs.
Most estate agents will take care of the photographs, but they might not always be the best or even show the most saleable parts of the  property.
But thereís nothing to stop a seller taking their own photographs.
For exterior shots, always look the bright side of the house.  Depending on which way a property faces, pictures are best taken either early in the morning or later in the day.  Be sure to avoid shadows, which have a harsh contrast between lit and shaded areas.
In summer, avoid taking pictures around mid-day as light can be very harsh and garish at this time of day.  Houses facing north or at awkward angles are best photographed on overcast days when daylight is more balanced and even.
Other tips include: picking up litter, move that old washing machine and keep door doors closed!  Washing down concrete paths and driveways can also help to give the frontage a fresh look.
Take several pictures of the front and include close ups on appealing or special architectural features which could help attract a buyerís attention.
Keep the photos level and straight and not arty or abstract.  Also keep pets, cars and people out of the photos, youíre selling your house, not your Peugot Hatchback or Border Collie!
Gardens and backyards can be included if they are presentable or have interesting/saleable features.
Tips for interior photographs include:
* Use all available light, but be wary of flash photos, which can look flat and dull. A tripod can useful for keeping a camera steady.
* Switch on all lights and avoid photographing a room when sunlight is shining directly in.
* Avoid shots with mirrors or you might end up in the photograph.
* Use a wide angle lens or a wide a setting as possible.
* Avoid things which can date a picture (i.e. Xmas decorations).
* Photograph all rooms, but concentrate on the living room and kitchen.
* Avoid dark pictures of hallways.
* Interesting internal features like fireplaces are worth photographing but not general furniture.
* No clutter or clothes.
Remember there is a buyer for your home somewhere and you can boost your chances of finding them with good quality photographs.