Owners and agents should always, says Clarke, stress a home?s good position (unless, of course, it is not in a good position). Close proximity to schools, parks, churches, synagogues, shopping centres, sports clubs and social meeting points is increasingly in demand ? and if you can claim justifiably that the commuting time to the city or a major work node is minimal you are in a very strong position.

"We can all be grateful for the internet," says Clarke. "It has enabled people to browse through a long list of properties before actually meeting their agent and to avoid visiting unsuitable homes. It has, therefore, saved time and money ? but I am dismayed to think how many potential sales never take place because a home is poorly presented on the internet."