House hunters are a fickle bunch. According to research, it takes the average person fewer than 10 minutes to decide whether they want to buy a place, which doesn't give you much time to win them over. Luckily, we've tracked down the best expert tips and insider secrets, so you don't have to. 

Click or scroll on to discover the top things that deter buyers and how to rectify them so you can get your home off the market in record time...

When someone steps inside your home, you don't want the first thing they see to be poorly maintained rooms. If a prospective buyer spots scuffs on the paintwork, peeling wallpaper, or moldy bathroom tiles, they will immediately start questioning what standard the rest of the house is in.

Take care of these small but important details, because they all add up to the bigger picture of your house as a whole.

Old electrical wiring will impact your home sale. Buyers could be put off, or see it as an opportunity to negotiate a lower price. Wiring systems that have been in place for a long time are also one of the leading causes of house fires, which could drive up the cost of your home insurance, so it's best to get them checked over and updated before you put your home on the market.

Your property should be wired to receive higher modern-day electrical currents. Older homes used far less and were built to a lower capacity, which will struggle to support the number of electrical fixtures, appliances and the general electrical load that today’s homeowners require. And speaking of electrics, try to have multiple power outlets in every room, in convenient locations.

Textured ceilings – such as popcorn or Artex – were once extremely popular with homeowners. Used to add texture to virtually every room in the house, this type of ceiling is now considered old-fashioned and unattractive. Plus, the lumps and bumps collect dust and can be hard to keep clean and paint. These aren't the only reasons why people won't want a home with Artexing, either.

This type of textured ceiling was often paired with highly toxic asbestos for fire resistance. Removing asbestos is a job that requires experienced specialists, so buyers will worry about the implications. So, if you're wanting to sell your home, it might be worth considering covering that popcorn finish with a coat of plaster. And don't forget to call in an asbestos expert to ensure your home is hazard-free.

An attic can be a very alluring perk for buyers. Not only will it provide valuable storage space, but it can also be turned into an additional room, adding an estimated 20% to a property's value, according to US real estate company Raleigh Realty. If your attic is currently inaccessible, buyers won't be able to take a look at the space and consider it as part of the home's price.

They will think about the cost of making the space accessible and may even worry about what's up there. After all, without being able to physically look inside, the attic could be dangerous or harbouring a family of bats! Before putting your home on the market, think about arranging access to your roof space, whether that's a simple hatch door or something more advanced, like a pull-down ladder.

We love our four-legged friends, but they certainly leave their mark on our homes. From puppy teeth marks on doors and furniture, to scratches in floor boards, carpet grease marks and bad odors, pets can turn a desirable home into a red flag.

Look to fix or replace anything that has been damaged by your pet, give your carpets a shampooing and vacuum thoroughly, before listing your place. You may also want to ensure your pet isn't at home during viewings, especially if they're lively or disruptive. Remember, not everyone loves cats and dogs!

Major appliances can be expensive to replace, so if a potential buyer spots an old-fashioned furnace or rusting HVAC unit that hasn't been replaced for decades, they might immediately be deterred. Your heating system is perhaps the biggest one for house hunters, since they need reassurance that, come winter, they won’t be let down by an old or inefficient furnace.

Plus, if a home inspector spots that your furnace is not functioning beyond a simple clean or repair, they may request you replace it, or recommend that you reduce the sales price. So, if you're thinking of selling, you might want to upgrade your heating (and cooling) system before you put your home on the market.

The kitchen is undeniably the heart of most homes, so the vast majority of house hunters are looking for a space they will want to cook and socialise in. Dated kitchens with tired or broken cabinets and unsightly tiles will certainly put people off your home.

Plus, some kitchen features can even devalue your home, including poor layouts, bad lighting and outdated appliances. If your kitchen has seen better days, consider painting the doors, retiling and fixing any broken hinges or handles.

Our homes reflect our personal tastes, so it makes sense that some house hunters might not be as into your interior style as you are. When it comes to appealing to a wide buying audience, it's best to stick to more neutral tones. After all, you’re trying to show the potential of the place by allowing buyers to envision what they could do with the space.

If your rooms are too visually stimulating, prospective buyers might not be able to do that. A can of white paint might make all the difference in a sale and could even boost your home's value.

Overly personalised rooms can also stop people from seeing how they could make your house their own. If your property is full to bursting with family photos and trinkets from your travels, viewers might be discouraged from buying it.

It's best to keep photos, ornaments and personal items on display to a minimum. If you have a gallery wall filled with personal pictures, consider switching them for fun art that complements your décor.

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Bold interior design will stop buyers from being able to visualize their belongings in a home, but so will clutter. That's because mess makes your home seem smaller and can be difficult for buyers to see past. If your rooms are looking a little overcrowded, consider having a clear-out or hiding everything away where it won't be seen. It will make packing up and moving easier anyway.

But don't go too far, you'll need the rooms to look 'lived in' and show buyers what life could be like in their new home. After all, empty homes don't give off a warm or welcoming feeling. Think 'less is more'.

A lack of storage isn't just annoying, it can deter people from buying your home. If they walk around and notice that there's nowhere for them to hang their jackets, store their shoes or place their purse, they might be out of the door in a flash.

So, as well as decluttering your home, it's a good idea to organize rooms to show that there's plenty of space for someone to store their belongings.

Built-in furniture was once all the rage, but today it's dated and can make rooms look and feel much smaller and darker than they are.

Those touring your home might not be able to fully appreciate the perks of your property and could struggle to envision how their own furniture will fit in. Plus, they will no doubt realize that removing built-ins will be an annoying and expensive task. So, is it time to pull yours out?

It goes without saying that a dirty house is an uninviting house and grime, dust and dirt certainly won't help prospective buyers envisage themselves living in your place.

Before you book any viewings, be sure to give your interior the once over. Vacuum the floors, wipe down all surfaces, clean the dishes, tidy away any toys and ensure your bathroom is sparkling clean. If it seems overwhelming, you can call in the professionals to help you.

Got a curtain rail that's coming away from the wall or a broken fence that you've been meaning to repair? Well, before you list your property for sale you might want to get around to those annoying home jobs.

Damaged fixtures and fittings can quickly deter buyers, who will immediately think about how much all the repairs might cost. So, make sure anything that's currently looking a little worse for wear is taken care of.

Many of us are 'nose-blind' to the scent of our own homes, but unpleasant odors could easily put people off. The smell of a property is one of the first things a buyer will notice, and they could see a nasty odor as a sign that you've neglected the place.

Avoid cooking anything too fragrant before viewings and take out the trash. Got a blocked drain? Get it fixed well in advance of the showing. The scent of an air freshener, flowers, or a fresh loaf of bread could go a long way, too.

No one likes being too hot or too cold, so you need to ensure your property is set to an ambient, comfortable temperature before any viewings take place.

Too cold and they might begin to question whether your heating system is broken. Too hot and they will already be worried about the humid summers to come. That might be all it takes for your would-be buyer to walk away without signing on the dotted line. 

Over the years, every home will see its fair share of pests. From cockroaches in the kitchen to raccoons in the backyard, it can be hard to deter these prolific creatures. However, if it's obvious that your home or garden is a popular hangout zone for household pests, then buyers won't be in a rush to make an offer.

That's because dealing with a pest issue can be expensive, stressful and lengthy. If you have a problem, it might be time to call in a professional exterminator to deal with the issue once and for all, before you attempt to sell.

One of the top turn-offs for house hunters is mold and damp patches, and it's no surprise! Damp indicates that there could be a major issue with insulation, ventilation or the overall structural integrity of your home. So, prospective buyers will be able to see future bills before they've even paid for their new house.

If you have any damp or mold issues, you should prioritize addressing them properly. Don’t just try and cover it up, as that could lead to issues with the buyer in the future.

As a seller, you'll want to showcase your home in its best light – quite literally! Natural light is a huge selling point. After all, no one likes dark and dingy rooms. So, before any viewings, open your blinds or curtains and remove any clutter that might be blocking light from filtering inside.

It's also a good idea to check that all your interior lights are working. If a viewer spots that one isn't, they may assume there's an electrical fault, even if it's just a burnt-out bulb.

Single pane or old windows are a big problem. Window frames tend to warp over time, affecting how the glass sits in the frame and leading to drafts, leaks and valuable heat loss. It goes without saying that older windows won't be as energy-efficient, either, so buyers will instantly think about the big utility bills that await them.

While a home with poor glazing should still sell, you could find that buyers try to negotiate the price, since they will be forced to cough up for replacement windows. Plus, a National Association of Home Builders survey found that energy-efficient windows are ranked desirable by 90% of home buyers in the US. So, it might be time to think about an upgrade...

Would you rather live in the best house on the worst street, or the worst house on the best street? Well, you might find that many would prefer to have a sunny and pleasant outlook, than have a room that looks out to trash cans, an ugly parking lot or, worse yet, a brick wall. 

Of course, there isn't much you can do about your home's view, but you can make small changes to make it a little bit more appealing; tidy what you can, perhaps add a screen or even plant some flowers to add a little color.

If your backyard is poorly maintained, buyers could make the assumption you've been neglecting the whole house. Whereas a yard that’s well cared for and used as an extension of the living space is a major draw for many. It’s worth putting some work into your outside space before listing, so tidy up, add some seasonal plants and create a seating or dining area, if possible.

It isn't just your garden that could deter people, either. Unfortunately, the state of your neighbor's yard could have an impact on people viewing your home. Offering to help them with a spot of gardening could make all the difference.

Invasive plants such as English ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle and Purple Loosestrife can soon take over gardens and pose a threat to other plants. But removing them can be costly and time consuming, with expert help often required. 

Any house hunters that spot problem plants in your backyard will walk away without a second thought. So, it might be time to call in the professionals to help you remove any poisonous, prolific or invasive plants from your exterior space.

When viewing a home, buyers will want to ensure it is in good condition, with no exterior damage that could lead to big bills, damp issues or worse. From flaking render to crumbling bricks or rotting siding, issues with your home's façade could prove costly for the next owner and could be a sign of a bigger issue. 

Before listing a property, it's worth repairing any cosmetic exterior damage. Creating the best first impression is the simplest way to attract buyers and secure a sale.

Aside from cosmetic issues with your home, buyers will also inspect the exterior to ensure it isn't showing signs of structural damage, such as big cracks, bowing walls or lintel failure. Key issues such as these can be a sign of a big problem – subsidence.

Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a house begins to sink and can quickly compromise the structural integrity of the building. It can be expensive and time-consuming to fix, so will no doubt put buyers off.

If your home is showing worrying signs of structural damage, call in an expert for advice on next steps, or be prepared to drop the asking price significantly.

Roof issues not only pose a risk of leaks and damp issues, but can also lead to major structural problems. If a faulty roof is revealed on a home buyer's survey, then the prospective purchaser will immediately be scared off by the thought of costly repairs.

A damaged roof could also suggest property neglect or a lack of maintenance, which may raise further concerns about the overall quality of your home. Although costly, it could be wise to repair any roofing issues before listing your house.

Driveways are very important to house hunters. In fact, many people wouldn't buy a house that didn't have one and a report by professional service finder FastExpert found that a driveway can add $10,000 to the value of your home. A lack of off-street parking, or any kind of garage, is also a big turn-off for buyers.

Therefore, if you can, add a parking space to your home. However, you need to bear in mind that doing so could be costly and you may need a permit.

There's not much you can do about having noisy neighbors, but they could certainly put buyers off snapping up your home. Even worse, undesirable neighbors can reduce the value of a property by as much as 10%, reports Rayleigh Realty.

You should declare any neighbor disputes when selling your home, to avoid issues with the buyers later down the line. Do your bit to help matters by investing in soundproofing measures, such as choosing carpets instead of wood flooring in apartments.

Before buying a property, house hunters will want to know it's safe. So, if your place appears to have poor security, you could quickly deter buyers. At the same time, you don't want to create the impression that your home is a fortress.

Too much security could easily lead people to believe your neighborhood is unsafe, or that you've previously had issues with break-ins. The best thing to do is fix any broken locks or windows and ensure the yard is secure, especially if your house is located on a busy road. 

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Realty listings have the power to influence whether someone will take the time to visit your home in person, so if your listing lacks good-quality photographs, you'll be falling at the first hurdle.

No matter what you do, don't scrimp on professional, high-quality photos of your home. Most diligent realty firms will provide this as standard, or for a small fee. But that fee will be well worthwhile. After all, you only have a moment to catch people’s eye as they scroll through online listings.

Being inflexible with house viewings will immediately reduce the pool of people who can visit. So, it’s important to be open to showing your home at different times of the day, to accommodate people’s schedules.

Plus, many buyers like to view a house both during the day and in the evening, to get a sense of what the area is like at different times, so allow anyone wanting to do so, where possible. It could be a sign that they're keen!

Some sellers might be tempted to be there when prospective buyers tour their home, but this can be unappealing to people. In fact, it's considered a bit of a faux pas for sellers to be present during showings, as it can make buyers feel uncomfortable.

It’s best to let the buyers' agent carry out viewings as it's in their interest to point out all your home's best features.

When you purchase a home that’s part of a housing community (such as a condominium), you automatically become a member and therefore must follow all homeowners' association (HOA) rules. These are generally in place to ensure the community remains safe, tidy and attractive.

Most HOA rules are pretty standard, but some might be off-putting for buyers. For example, owners might be expected to mow the lawn at the front of their house every month, or there could be a strict pet policy. So, when selling your HOA home, it's advised to be transparent with the buyer about what rules and regulations they will be expected to follow as intentional deception could void the contract later down the line.

Since it takes most people less than 10 minutes to be turned off a property, a poor exterior finish will instantly deter buyers before they've even stepped inside. So, you must get your curb appeal just right.

First impressions are critical. Painting the front door, mowing the lawn, tidying the path, trimming bushes and clearing away garbage and trash cans are good ways to improve the look of your property.

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