People should make small improvements before selling their home, rather than going through with major remodelling, it has been advised.

When considering changes to flue accessories, people should also look at other homes in their neighbourhood, as it is important for properties to be comparable in the market, a real estate broker has recommended.

Elizabeth Weintraub explained: "If you wouldn't make a renovation when you were planning to stay in the home, don't do it when you plan to move - unless it's adding a bath to a one-bath house."

Ms Weintraub went on to say that painting a kitchen can help to boost the appeal of a property.

It follows advice from the Sense of Space Architects, which suggested that efficiency is likely to become a more important factor for property buyers.

However, buyers are currently more focused on other areas of the home, the group believes.