Most people buying or selling a home in Ireland turn to an estate agent for help.

A seller pays the agent who arranged a successful sale. Commission is usually a fixed percentage of the eventual selling price. If the agent has involved another one in finding the buyer, he will share his commission - you do not pay extra.

You can place your property on the books of any number of estate agents, but you may get better results by dealing with just one, in the first instance, for a limited time, say for two or three months.

Sole Agency - Your appointed agent is the only one through whom you deal.

Multiple Agency - This is where you put your property on the books of two or more agents. This theoretically increases the chances of a quick sale, and you pay only the agent who sells it.

Your estate agent will attract potential purchasers, but the presentation of your property is up to you.

• On arrival, the property should look clean, tidy and well cared for.

• The garden should be kept neat and tidy.

• The house should look welcoming so the potential purchaser may begin to envisage living there.

• Correct any obvious defects. These can be very off-putting and, in the end, will probably be negotiated from the price of the property.

• Do any odd jobs around the house that need to be done.

• The kitchen is a key room - so make sure it is clean, tidy, free from any unpleasant odours and appears light, fresh and airy.

• Keep the house well illuminated.

• Remove any pets from the property.

• Where possible, tidy away children' s toys and, if possible arrange for the children to be elsewhere.

Provide as much information as you can from your own knowledge and experience, but do not be overbearing. Allow the potential purchaser freedom to look around by themselves.