Boris tamed his hair. Gordon washed his, and had his teeth capped. Both know that image counts.

And just as with politicians, so with property: image is vital.

Vendors need to use every possible way of making their property stand out, especially in today’s changing market, and ensuring that their property presents the right image is the oldest one of all.

Photographs are fundamental, for use in brochures and advertisements and, crucially, on the internet.

First impressions of a property are most likely to come from a photo on our website, and the internet is so instantaneous that a house must be able to grab as much attention as it can. It is essential that photographs show a property looking its best.

Now is the time to take those photos, because everything looks so much better in sunshine with the trees in fresh leaf.

Some vendors have their property photographed at this time of year ready for marketing in autumn, or even the following spring. And if wintery photos are causing your property to languish, you can save the expense of creating a whole new marketing pack by re-photographing it now for the internet. The trick is to show the house honestly, but photograph it at the optimum time of year and make sure it is immaculately presented, which takes us from literal to psychological images.

First and last impressions are crucial. The first 10 seconds of seeing a property are enough to seduce a viewer – or not. If their first glimpse of the exterior is off-putting, their attitude will be negative throughout their tour. And the last 10 seconds, as they turn for a last look before leaving, cement the image in a prospective buyer’s mind.

So it is vital to make the approach to your property as attractive as possible.

Maximise kerb appeal. Make sure that the door furniture is gleaming, the paintwork is flawless and the front gate sits firmly on its hinges.

See that the drive looks tidy and well-weeded. If it means getting in a truckload of new gravel, so be it. £200 spent on smartening up the approach to the house is worth £2,000 spent on a new kitchen.

Inside, the right image can be achieved by repairing anything that might suggest hidden problems with the building, such as stained ceilings or cracked plaster, and by decluttering thoroughly.

You’ll probably have a big clear-out anyway, so do it before your house goes on the market. Clutter gives the impression that a house does not have enough space, both by making rooms look smaller and by suggesting there’s nowhere to put anything.

Hire a skip if need be, but don’t be tempted to save money by shoving everything into the attic.

Spacious attics are often a real selling-point, so they too should be clutter-free if they are to display their potential.

For every one who can see the possibilities of a dingy attic, there is another who will cross a house off their list because they dislike the colour of the owner’s sofa.

A beautifully furnished house can blind viewers to things that might otherwise deter them: they can be seduced by appearances.’