Buyers have plenty to compare this autumn, which makes the way a home enters the market increasingly important. A strong first impression, realistic price and thoughtful presentation can all help attract the right attention.

One of the biggest talking points this week has been the 11% week-on-week drop in sales agreed and a drop of 2% on the average asking price of a newly listed properties. While some seasonal softening is entirely normal during the summer holiday period, the scale of this fall has caught the attention of the property industry.

The UK housing market remained subdued in August, with house prices edging up by 0.2% over the month and annual growth sitting at 1.6%, according to Nationwide's latest House Price Index.

The UK property market is entering another important period of change. The Government has confirmed plans to introduce independent regulation of property agents, with the intention of giving consumers greater protection and creating higher professional standards across the sector.