This week our alternative viewpoint is really quite mainstream, but covers an area that has not yet been given much attention on this site - selling your house. Here are some tips that may help sell your home for those of you who may be struggling to make a sale:

When a prospective buyer is looking through details of properties for sale, the photograph of the property is of utmost importance. A large, colour photograph taken from an attractive angle can make your property stand out from the rest. The photograph should be recent, a summer photograph sent out in winter may indicate your property has been on the market for several months.

Before a prospective buyer comes to view your property, walk down your own path, stand on your own front doorstep, and take a good look with a critical eye. Then make any changes that will enhance a viewer's first impression. A tidy garden, a newly mown lawn and a freshly swept path will create an impression of order. Flower pots, hanging baskets, creeper on the exterior walls are proven to improve the exterior appearance of a property.

Once inside the property try to appeal to senses of sight, smell and hearing, if there is not much sunlight, already have the lights turned on, so that an impression of light is created. The smell of freshly brewing coffee or a cake baking always creates a good impression, lastly some soft music playing will always enhance the chances.

Estates agents say 50% of people make their final decision from outside a property and 75% have decided after seeing just one room. The exterior appearance, its 'kerb appeal' is of vital importance, peeling paintwork, untidy gardens, muddy paths all repel potential buyers. Whereas flower pots, hanging baskets, creeper on the exterior walls, polished brass door knobs and gleaming paths make a good first impression.

To sell your home, paint your front door blue - this is the advice from building society, Alliance & Leicester. According to their survey on how colours influence people, blue doors attract buyers. It claims that blue doors are "cheerful and dignified", red doors are "exciting and vigorous", black and purple doors are not recommended, and brown doors are to be totally avoided. If you are going to paint your door though, make sure that it looks right with the rest of the house, otherwise you will be as blue as the door when no-one comes knocking to buy your home.

Some home improvements can add value to your house, an extension will put your house in a higher price bracket, but may not make it easier to sell. Most estate agents agree that location determines value and saleability. A house in a desirable location will be preferred to one in a less popular area, no matter how much it has been improved. No home improvements can be guaranteed to increase a property's value. So if you're planning changes do them because you want to make your home a more pleasant place to live.

Top saleability features:

• Central heating
• New kitchen
• Garage
• Off-road parking
• Double glazing (on a modern house)
• New white bathroom suite

Average saleability features:

• Conservatory
• Painting exterior woodwork
• Landscaped garden
• Two-storey extension
• Double glazing

Indifferent saleability features:

• Roof insulation
• Re-decorating in distinctive shades
• Knocking through rooms
• Swimming pool