Britain's property market is looking bleak - sellers are going to have to get creative

One notable feature of the turbulent UK housing market is just how sluggish sales in London and the South East have become.

- JAMES MOORE

In a corner that was once a guaranteed hotspot, those looking to sell up and move are facing the toughest market in a decade. Now, thanks to a glut of properties for sale, they have started slashing asking prices. According to Rightmove, the property website, sales in June have slipped by 0.3 per cent, to an average of £378,240, in what is normally one of the most lucrative months of the year.

The capital and surrounding counties could be dragging down the average. Rightmove has noted that "the higher-priced southern regions and the capital have seen larger price drops this month, being more affected by higher stamp duty charges, and seeing greater increases in available homes for sale". This means sellers are having to work harder to shift their properties and guard against lowering their prices.

How to boost your property's appeal

Cosmetic changes

Everyone knows how the smell of freshly brewed coffee or baked bread plays well with potential buyers viewing your home. But to get a sale price even remotely close to your desired one in this market, you'll have to do more than just cater for people's food preferences.

Matt Thompson, head of sales at Chestertons, explains: "Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in your property, so it is a good idea to transform your home into a blank canvas - which means decluttering as much as possible, and giving some rooms a fresh coat of paint.