There's nothing more demoralising than a lengthy wait, hoping the right buyer will come along and make a decent offer.

However, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make your house seem more attractive, according to estate agent Hamptons International.

The firm says if you ensure your house is presented in the right way, you can sell property more quickly and easily.

Here are a number of tips to help anyone sell property fast. These tips also apply if you are preparing your property for rent:

Give it a lick of paint: Of all the things you could do to your property, this will probably give you the fastest result. A house that looks fresh and clean is immediately more attractive to buyers. But don't do a sloppy job; you'll struggle to sell property that's been given a slapdash decorating job. Pay as much care and attention as you would if you were going to continue living in the house. Or if you're more of a bodger than a DIYer, hire a professional to do it for you. The few hundred pounds are worth it for a quick sale.

Keep it neutral, but with a dash of colour: Potential buyers want to see a 'blank canvas' when they look round your home. That means it must be easy for them to visualise living there and the changes they would make. So paint in neutral colours. That doesn't necessarily mean slapping magnolia everywhere. You can use different colours to enhance the features of the house, for example cool white interiors will reflect shafts of natural sunlight. Think about a soft grey instead of just white. And use different fabrics or textures to create warmth and reflect light. To sell property quickly it's also recommended you stick to neutral flooring such as wooden floors.

Have a colour wall: If you want to add more than a splash of brightness, consider painting one side of the room a different colour. This will compliment the rest of the room. You can also add a bit of colour with bright photographs, prints or fresh flowers.

Keep your bathroom clean: The next tip to help sell property fast is to keep your bathroom clean and clutter free. The best bathroom to have is white, and if you can, fit a glass screen to the shower instead of using a shower curtain.

Clear the clutter: Many of us have more in our house than we really have room for. And that makes the home look smaller than it actually is; not a helpful perception when you're trying to sell property. The trick is to hide it all away when buyers are visiting! Consider hiring a nearby storage unit as a secret dumping place, or shove it all in the loft.

Get your garden looking gorgeous: Even at this time of year, you can make your garden look beautiful. Keep it clean, well maintained and try to make it look effortless. Put any clutter like children's toys away, and if you really want to impress, get some plants that flower over autumn.

Manage viewings carefully: This is the final tip to help you sell property and move on quickly. First off pick the best time to see the property ? if sunlight floods the hallway in the morning, get prospective buyers in then. Put fresh flowers on display, set the table for dinner, brew fresh coffee ? all things which will help to paint a perception that the house could be a happy place for a family to live.