Why are castles as homes so appealing? For us it’s the sheer presence and stature they bring. You couldn’t but be proud to live in any of these charming castles.

It’s autumn – arguably the most beautiful time of year. Leaves are turning golden and many look as if they are on fire with their dramatic red and orange hues. The property market is as vibrant as the colours that we see around us. In fact there are so many properties for sale, just how do people start their search for the perfect home? How do they decide which houses might be suitable and which to ditch without a second glance, asks Caroline Knight.

It’s worth thinking about the effect that a garden creates during the very first glimpse. The chances are that it’s the photo of the front of the house from the road that first catches people’sattention. They can dismiss or delight in a property with just a single peek. If the property is obscured by gigantic conifers, straggly shrubs and dark shadows they might be a little underwhelmed by its kerb appeal, but if the garden helps to display the home like a sleek carpet or solid wooden floor helps to stage a lounge, its audience is captured within seconds.

Judging a house by its façade might not be wise in every sense, but we all do it. The exterior appearance of a property is frequently the deal maker or breaker when it comes to buying a home. In fact it can take just eight seconds for a potential buyer to decide whether or not to view – and their decision is usually based on their judgement of a mere photograph.

Just imagine the scenario – a flower-filled garden suggesting scented aroma, a cleanly swept path, seating area signifying relaxation, no bins in sight, a clipped lawn looking like a smooth carpet and a clearly defined boundary offering privacy and style. Autumn tree colour will be the icing on the cake – people like to have interest for every season, not just the height of summer. Alternatively, an overgrown patch with brambles, mud and rubbish can only damage that first vital impression and few people are going to want to brave the journey up the front path to the door.

First impressions count immensely. An ugly house can recede into insignificance when clothed with a delightful garden. And the most beautiful home can look daunting if its grounds appear to be ‘high maintenance’.

The good news for sellers is that they can do something about it. A garden tidy-up might be all that is required. The great news for buyers is that they can instruct themselves to see past any outside neglect and might then have an opportunity to buy a property at a knock-down price. Fewer competitors in the buying field means the vendors will be keen to keep their potential buyer’s interest and they could find themselves in a strong bargaining position.

Creating kerb appeal can be simple, but it does take a little thought. The rewards are there to be reaped – why wait until after the photos have been uploaded?