Selling your home is a battle between you and potential buyers: you want to get as much as you can; they are looking for ways to reduce the price.

Buying and selling property is unlike virtually any other type of possession. When you sell your car, you are working on the assumption the car is ultimately getting smaller and smaller in value (unless it's a well looked after classic of course).

But houses are generally assumed to be rising in value all the time, especially in today's buoyant market. Just check out the latest property news. It's good, as it gives you the chance to do things to the house that can affect the price.

The money you will get for your home depends largely on the initial property valuation. No buyer is going to offer you more than the asking price (unless they desperately want the house and are fighting another buyer). And estate agents are generally reluctant to put houses up for sale at stupidly inflated prices, as they may spend thousands marketing something that people just won't buy.

So the key to getting the most money for your house is in the initial property valuation. Your job is to make the house as attractive as possible to potential buyers, so they are willing to pay a top price.

Generally, experts say you need to create an environment in your house that makes people feel they can immediately live there without having to make massive changes, but have a "blank canvas" to make their own mark on the property.

Get that right and you'll get a high property valuation. Here are a series of things you can do to positively affect the price.

Convert your loft: This is a highly popular way to add an extra bedroom to a home, and can be surprisingly cost effective depending on the layout of your house. You may need to install skylights and will certainly need to board, insulate and plaster the loft. Ensure you have room to build a proper staircase - using a temporary one will not see the full benefit of the conversion added to the property valuation.

Turn a cellar into a proper room: If you can't do it upstairs, do it downstairs. May require significant building work to prepare the room and ensure it stays suitable for habitation. But if you have a sizeable cellar, this can potentially add a whole new layer of floor space to the house.

Build an extension: Probably the most expensive option, but with the biggest potential rewards. If you can get permission for an extension and afford it, this can be easiest way to add significant value. Be aware you will have to put up with months of architects, builders and disruption.

Add a conservatory: Many homes don't need permission to put up a conservatory and will easily see the cost returned in the increased value of the home. Your local estate agent will give you an idea of the effect of this on the property valuation.

Modernise your kitchen or bathroom: These are the key rooms of the house and ones that potential buyers will be most interested in, especially the kitchen. Alternatively, spend cash modernising the rest of your house. Add double glazing or central heating. This could cost only a few thousand pounds, but could make your home more desirable pushing its value up. A modernised home will give the impression the property is low maintenance.

Re-design your garden: Getting an expert to re-design your garden could add extra value. A modern low-maintenance garden is highly desirable, especially for parents with children who need somewhere to play. But here's a warning - a badly-designed garden won't just look ridiculous, it can knock thousands off the value of your home. When you are looking for a local landscape gardener, ask to see previous examples of their work and talk to existing clients.