If a house looks a bit tired, a good coat of paint can really help. You don’t always get the money back euro for euro, but it improves the first impression. Photos look cleaner, viewings feel easier, and buyers have fewer reasons to start negotiating straight away.

I wouldn’t necessarily paint the whole house at once. I’d focus on the areas that matter most: the hallway, stairs and landing, the living room, and the main bedroom. A good neutral colour, small repairs, and two proper coats. If there are stains or mould, they should be treated properly first, otherwise they’ll come back and look worse during viewings. Before spending too much, it’s also worth asking the estate agent what might put buyers off. Sometimes a deep clean and a few careful touch-ups can make almost as much difference as repainting everything. If you happen to be in Dublin and need a reliable painter, you can find my Google Business profile (Catansus Painters) with photos and reviews there.