Selling your home? - bin the gnomes
IF you're selling your house and would-be buyers spot a gnome in the shrubbery, you may need to lower the asking price.
And if they ring your bell to be greeted by a cheery tune, it may not even be worth your while answering the door.
That's because garden gnomes and musical doorbells are two of the biggest turn-offs for househunters, according to a survey.
Prospective buyers are also put off by old bangers on the front drive, squeaky front gates and pebble-dashed walls.
The Cheltenham & Gloucester bank's survey of 5,000 househunters revealed that most have made up their minds about a property before stepping foot inside.
Once over the threshold, viewers can't help but judge a house by its contents, with 93% voting threadbare carpets a definite turn-off, a percentage point higher than the musical doorbell score. And horseshoes hanging over the staircase certainly don't bring good luck to the owners - with 82% of househunters saying they are tacky.
The smell of pets, a built-in bar and cabinets filled with ornaments are also among the features deemed unattractive. And 64% say that cork walls signify the owners are stuck in a time-warp.
Esther O'Reilly-Cain, spokesman for Cheltenham & Gloucester, said: 'It's surprising that something as minor as a doorbell could put people off buying a house, but it just goes to show how first impressions count.
'It's worth spending time and money on your property before you put it on the market as you want it to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Treasured garden gnomes may have to go.'
The poll also revealed that homeowners may want to dream up an attractive name for their home if they want to improve its chances of being snapped up - because 88% of buyers consider this a real plus.
Bay windows, a cat sitting in the window and a freshly-mown lawn are all attractive sights for would-be buyers. Once inside, they like to be greeted with a crackling, roaring fire and the smell of freshly-baked bread.
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