Times are tough if you are trying to sell your house.
The economy is in trouble, and people's confidence is way down.
It takes a lot to get them to part with their hard earned cash.
And all those home makeover shows on TV don't fool anyone.
Buyers watch them too, you know - so you can no longer get away with just a new coat of paint and some fancy hired furniture.
Listed below are the top ten attributes buyers look for in a house:

1. Location - buyers are looking for areas that have growth potential (and resale potential).
   You are better off having the worst house in the best street than the best house in the worst street.
   Sell your area and street, not the just the house.
   
2. Aspect - A house that faces the right way has a major advantage.
   Depending on your location, a house with a south facing balcony (US, Europe & Britain) or north facing balcony (Australia, NZ, Africa, South America) has many advantages including lower heating bills in winter.
   Make the most of your aspect!
3. Presentation - a house that is clean, tidy and de-cluttered allows the buyer to imagine their furnishings in your home.
   Clean up and pack up everything that is not essential for day to day living.
   
4. Flexibility - buyers may not like the layout of your home, or may want to add additional rooms.
   How flexible is the layout of your home.
   
5. Light - unless you plan on selling to The Addams Family, a light and airy home is essential.
   When showing prospective buyers around, make sure all curtains are open, and also some windows (unless it's freezing outside).
   If it's a dark overcast day, put on the lights.
   Open all of the internal doors too.
   
6. Smell - there is nothing worse than a bad odour to put people off your home.
   Mold, mildew, dirty linen smells, and animal smells are all a big no no! Clean up, and if necessary, banish your pooch to the yard for the day.
   You may not smell him, but if your buyers don't have pets, they certainly will.
   
7. Storage -buyers want to make sure there will be space for all of their furniture and knock knacks, especially if they are downsizing.
   Make the most of your storage areas inside and outside of the house.
   
8. Garden - all buyers will expect a well presented garden, but it is also important to make sure your garden has the flexibility to appeal to families, older couples, as well as young singles or newly marrieds.
   A flexible garden has areas that can be used for entertaining, relaxing, and playing (for the kids!).
   
9. Bathroom - clean the bathroom - scrub if you must.
   A dirty or smelly bathroom is the biggest turnoff for prospective buyers.
   And again, make sure a window is open.
   
10. Kitchen - the trend these days is for large, open plan kitchens.
    Preferably one that allows the cook to still converse with guests whilst cooking.
    If you've got one - make the most of it.
    If not, could it be made into one (remember our point about flexibility)?

That's it - the top ten attributes buyers look for in a house.
In my next article, I will advise what you can do to improve each of these aspects to make your home more appealing.