HSBC state: "Householders wanting a quick property sale should worry less about cleaning windows and buying fresh flowers, and spend more time repainting the front door and replacing old gates, according to new research."

The 2012 HSBC Home Improvement Survey revealed that many homeowners have misconceptions regarding factors which may help them to sell their property.

More than half (60%) of property valuers said that the number one way to increase a property's chance of selling quickly, and for a healthy price, was to de-clutter. Cutting the grass and repairing paint chips will also improve house-selling prospects.

However, over two thirds (69%) of homeowners thought cleaning the windows would be worthwhile, compared to just 44% of the property experts. In addition, while 63% of the experts said that repainting or varnishing a front door would make a difference, only 23% of homeowners recognise this.

Householders should also worry less about putting rubbish bins out of sight or washing the car, and concentrate instead on repairing old fences and gates.