If you’ve had your house on the market for a while and get lots of viewings that don’t lead to any offers, you need to ask yourself ‘where am I going wrong?’

Firstly, check how your property compares with other similar properties in the area. Are you asking too much? If you have the time, go and check out some of the competition. You don’t need to waste peoples’ time by going to view other houses, but drive around and have a look at places from the outside and look at the details online to get an idea of the room layouts and decor. Does your place feel equal to these?

Get some advice from different estate agents – maybe you’ve chosen an agent because they gave you the highest valuation, but how many houses are they actually managing to sell? Maybe a more realistic price would result in some actual offers and allow you to move on.

Another thing to think about is the furniture you have in your home. Everyone knows that you need to keep your house clean and tidy for the times you’ve got viewings, but beyond de-cluttering, perhaps some of the furniture is preventing people from imagining how the rooms might be with their own possessions in them.

For example, if you have really heavy, dark wooden furniture in the dining room, it might make the space feel cramped. You might be better off taking out the existing furniture and putting in a cheap dining table and chairs that look more modern and make the room feel bigger.

You obviously won’t want to change too much furniture just to sell your house, but try and look at it through a stranger’s eyes – or ask a friend for their candid opinion – and remove or store anything that might be overpowering or taking up too much space. Similarly, if your sofas are looking a bit worn, then invest in a couple of well-fitting throws to cover them. Be careful not to look like you’ve just thrown a sheet over them though!

Even though most potential buyers go into a property with an open mind, and try to ignore other people’s fittings and décor, it does have a subconscious effect on how they feel about your house, and the better you can make them feel, the more likely you are to clinch a sale.