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MONEY COMMENT
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If you're planning to sell your home in the near future, you probably know by now that in order to get the maximum price, you have to show it off to its best advantage. But what exactly does that mean? It may well have taken you a whole day, in between fag breaks, to Artex your kitchen ceiling so beautifully. And you might not mind in the slightest clearing up after your loveable but incontinent Golden Retriever puppy - he's so cute, after all. But, unfortunately, your tastes and your lifestyle can prove to be a big turn-off for prospective purchasers. According to new research from the Woolwich, there are some things that will off buyers completely or result in a lower offer. Sellers who smoke or who have pets have got a particular problem it seems. According to the report, seven out of ten prospective buyers would refuse to pay the full asking price for a nicotine-stained house that reeked of stale cigarette smoke. And animal smells and pet fur on the furnishings aren't very popular either. You've got to admit - if you were in the buyer's shoes, you wouldn't find these things very attractive either even if you were a smoker or a pet owner. The BBC carried out a similar survey last year and, not surprisingly, some of the turn-offs remain the same. Stone cladding, garden gnomes and Seventies-style swirly carpets still feature highly but dirty fridges and ovens, avocado-coloured bathroom suites and ceilings that have been covered with Artex or tiles will also put off homebuyers. And a few people don't like dated or unstylish fireplaces or chintzy furnishings. Some of these turn-offs would be expensive to put right but others could be resolved very simply by keeping the house and furnishings thoroughly cleaned and aired while the house is on the market. (Smoke outside for the time being!). And for the canny homebuyer, try and see past the dirt, the smells, the chintz and the gnomes - and put in a lower offer in the knowledge that these things will disappear with the seller anyway. You can replace the bathroom suite and the carpets with the money you save.