They've been charged with selling some of the most unappealing properties in the country, so it's safe to say that Andrew Winter, Shaynna Blaze, and Charlie Albone know a thing or two about successfully selling a house.

For years we've watched the trio wax lyrical about the dangers of over cluttering your home or stuffing it full of questionable decor (ahem, frog paraphernalia!). 

Leading real estate agent John Mcgrath estimates that a well-styled home can fetch anywhere between five to 10 per cent more value.

“Most people spend between $3,000 to $8,000 on professional styling and my gut feel is that it adds between five to 10 per cent sale value,” he says.

If you're serious about selling for the best possible return, these are the key things to keep in mind.

1. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes

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Pictured: 301 St Georges Road. Sold by Arch Staver and David Sanguinedo of Nelson Alexander Fitzroy as seen on Luxury List.

No matter how nice the rest of the house may be, if the kitchens and/or bathrooms haven't been updated since the 70's, a buyer won't want to touch it. 

Kitchens and bathrooms often sell houses, so these are the rooms that should get lots of TLC when trying to sell your home.

It may not always be possible to do a full renovation, but inexpensive changes like new handles, bench top, sink or taps, as well as covering over old or outdated splashbacks with new surfaces can make a world of difference.

If you can't afford to replace outdated tiles, it pays to bring in the professionals who can spray an entire bathroom – including floor and wall tiles, basins and baths – so they come up good as new.

2. Think about furniture placement

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Pictured: 29 Rae Street Fitzroy North. Sold by David Sanguinedo and Arch Staver of Nelson Alexander Fitzroy as seen on Thehomepage.com.au

If you've ever watched the show, you'll know that most homeowners make lots of mistakes with their furniture. 

It's either too big and bulky for the space, badly arranged, old and daggy, the list goes on.

There's a fine line between having the room look too empty and over-filled. You just need to have enough pieces that show the function of the room without it feeling cluttered - then add some nice accessories to add texture and interest.

It pays off to hire furniture when trying to sell your house. You don't have to replace all your furniture, but do consider investing in a few nice pieces to replace daggy, outdated furniture. While you might love your cushy oversized couch, it doesn't mean best presentation.

New and well-presented furniture can really breathe new life into a space.

3. Paint works wonders

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Nothing freshens up a home like a new paint job. 

When you're selling, neutrals are the safest bet as soft whites, stone and yellows are the easiest the blend and coordinate furniture and decor with.

4. De-personalise

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We all know that someone lives in the house, but when you're trying to sell your home, a buyer wants to imagine themselves living there. 

Minimise the number of family photos, and keep a small section to one area of the house only. Arrange decor items nearby like vases and flowers to take the focus off.

Inject personality through the use of carefully selected furniture, artwork and cushions.

5. If you can, you should hire a property stylist

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They're qualified to assist with maximising the visual appeal of your home, and in turn, can help in achieving a higher purchase price, so if you can afford to hire one you should.

It's best to work with your agent first to see how your home competes against others in your market. This will give you an understanding of the level of styling that's expected when selling in your area.

First impressions count, especially in competitive markets. A property stylist can give your home some serious 'wow' factor and eliminate any opportunity for doubt from prospective buyers through incorrect furniture choices and styling.

6. Curb appeal is important too 

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The exterior of your home is just as important as the inside. If a buyer doesn't like what they see on the outside, they'll probably beat a fast retreat. They may politely tour your home, but as they drive away you can be sure they're talking about how overgrown the lawns are, or discussing the shabby, peeling paint.

Power wash the exterior, replace anything old, repaint, make sure the lawns are tidy, and consider planting flowers and upgrading the letterbox.

7. Don't forget the finishing touches

Pictured: 56 Farmer Street, Richmond. Sold by Elliot Gill and Will Trenchard of Jellis Craig. As seen on Luxury List.

Small changes, like putting plants in every room, adding cushions and throws, nice rugs, changing fittings and fixtures, and bowls of fresh fruit can actually go a lot further than you might think.

If you're a bit clueless when it comes to design, there are plenty of property styling and staging companies that will do the hard work for you.

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