But now that we are facing serious increases in fuel prices brought about  by global warming and the need to reduce our carbon footprints it’s in all our interests to raise the status of our homes so that they are energy efficient, sustainable and cost effective.

Indeed there are hundreds of pounds that can be knocked off fuel and water bills (if you are on water meter) if the right measures are taken. And these are not just one-off savings they will continue year after year.

Whether you live in a house, bungalow or a flat, the best way to set about maximising its efficiency is to see what measures need to be taken by having an energy performance assessment carried out by property services experts such as Chiltern PSC.

A member of their professional team can visit your home and for a very modest fee carry out a survey that will come up with some very positive suggestions on the best ways to make your home energy efficient and economical to run. By taking note of your home’s dimensions, form of construction and the type of heating system you use they can provide an Energy Performance Certificate and a report recommending the best way forward.

Jarrod Green, managing director of Chiltern PSC, says: “We can point out accurately what are a home’s main requirements so far as achieving maximum energy efficiency is concerned. For instance, may be it could benefit significantly from loft and cavity wall insulation or perhaps the heating system needs to be replaced or improved.

“Other more fundamental things may need attention such as how the electrical supply is used through low energy lighting and running audio and visual equipment. And water conservation, too, is another major consideration through toilet cisterns which use less water to flush and baths and showers which also use less water without compromising on performance.”

Of course, Chiltern PSC may also suggest that your home could benefit from solar panels on the roof to heat the water before it goes through the hot water system or even to produce electricity to run the house!

Bringing existing homes into line with current energy saving requirements really is a serious business and one that Government is very keen to promote. So, Jarrod points out: “It maybe possible for some households to obtain financial help through grants to make energy saving improvements to their homes. The Government, major energy suppliers and local authorities all have grant systems in place to help implement these measures and this where Chiltern PSC can also provide further advice.”

GET THE VALUATION RIGHT

This is the absolute holy grail. Valuations from agents fluctuate wildly. It is probably best to get at least three and to select an agent who pitches in the middle. It can be very confusing. “Some prices are exactly where they were 18 months ago and some are considerably down,” says Howard Elston at Aylesford. “There does not seem to be any particular logic to it, as some properties attract considerable attention while others hang around not selling.”

Listen to what the market is telling you. “I can’t emphasise enough the importance of ensuring your property is correctly priced,” says Penelope Court of Beauchamp Estates. “As a general rule, if your property came to the market in the last quarter of 2009 and you haven’t received any offers, it’s clear that you need to reduce the price.”

BE CONFIDENT

Remember there is a huge shortage of good houses for sale at the moment. The National Association of Estate Agents reports that on average there are five buyers for every house. You only have to catch one.

CHECK BUYER FINANCE

“Insist on a financial reference from buyers to confirm they have the necessary funds to complete the purchase,” says Tom Hudson of buying agents Middleton Advisors. He also suggests that if you offer a flexible completion date, then the buyer might make a more generous offer.

But beware of so-called “cash buyers”. “Many buyers are under the illusion that just because they do not have anything to sell it makes them cash buyers and you may find that they are actually taking out a mortgage,” says Martin Bikhit of Kay & Co. “When we sell repossessions on behalf of banks or building societies, we now always insist on seeing actual proof of cash funds, even if it means buyers showing us bank statements. Some can be funny about this, but in my experience it usually means they do not have the funds.”

PRESENTATION IS ALL

Clean it, paint it, fix it and ruthlessly remove clutter. Strutt & Parker, experts in selling the country idyll, say think about first impressions. It’s all the rage to paint your front door but hesitate before going for bubblegum pink. Stick to traditional heritage colours for period properties.

GET THE PAPERWORK SORTED

Help your buyers move quickly once they have made their minds up. “Speak to your solicitor well in advance,” says Justin Marking of Savills. “My advice would be to complete a standard preliminary inquiries form before marketing. That way, key information can be with their solicitors within 24 hours of an offer being accepted. Also, get your lawyer to prepare a draft contract before a buyer is found, so you are in a position to exchange within 10 days.”

MAXIMISE THE POTENTIAL

Think positive. “If you can add value to your property by obtaining planning consent for a loft extension or rear extension, then it may be worthwhile having the drawings done and getting the consent in place,” says Camilla Dell of Black Brick Property Solutions. “This will appeal to buyers who would be keen to do work but are concerned about whether they would get consent. Obtaining consents with the right architect on board isn’t vastly costly and could add a lot of value.”

DON’T BE A DISTRESSED SELLER

While smart parts of London have bounced back, the rest of the country is still waiting out the recession. Don’t, as a seller, reveal too much about your personal circumstances. If you are in financial difficulties or getting divorced, keep it quiet.

CONSIDER SELLING QUIETLY

Off-market or under-the-counter sales are becoming popular among the country house set – so, for a top price and posh brokering, take the quiet route. “In my view, the top end of the country house market will continue to be short of supply in 2010,” says Mark Lawson of The Buying Solution.

“I believe an increasing number of properties will be available privately – perhaps as much as 75 per cent compared to 25 per cent openly, but vendors will want premium prices.”

YOU CAN ALWAYS LET

The drop in rental values is now over and prices are inching upwards again. Rob Bruce, research manager at Hamptons International, says that renewed confidence in the high-finance world of corporate lets is already being felt as big family houses in leafy roads are being snapped up again. “Prices of five-bedroom detached homes were up 1.6 per cent in the quarter, against falls of 0.5 per cent for smaller one to three-bedroom properties,” he says.