Justin, Colin and Ashley said:

Colin: Hopefully you'll be starting off with a white bathroom suite. Justin: And if you are it's actually the easiest colour to decorate around. Think of terms of changing flooring and tiles and possibly adding a new blind or curtains. Finally, lighting can make all the difference and finally, finally...give it a good clean because a clean out of date bathroom can look better than a dirty bathroom, so stick your rubber gloves on and get going... don't leave it to the wife.

Justin, Colin and Ashley said:

Colin: You have to look at the competition and decide if your house is competitively priced. Justin: Very often your expectation and market value can be entirely different things. Colin: Also look at other properties on with your estate agent, are they selling? If not, it could be there is problem with your agent. Ashley: The market has not died but it is definitely slowing down. Think carefully about whether now is the right time to move. You may get a better price for your property after Christmas or when the market picks up again.

Justin: Without a shadow of a doubt, a house in Romford on our last series of How Not to Decorate on Channel 5. The owners had completely clad the front of the building with fake stone work and it looked like the Ok Corral. All very well in Texas, but lousy in Essex!

Colin: No we don't unfortunately, we do try and push our builders as much as possible but at the same time we are quietly realistic and know that they can only do so much in a limited time...

...Justin: People ask us why we scare and we say because we care!! Ashley: I'm speechless!

Colin: Not if you are up to the task. If Barry is an excellent painter and decorator then he should do the job himself. If on the other hand, he is a well intentioned amateur his money would be better spent employing a decorator...

...Ashley: Remember, think carefully about how much money you have to spend on this project. You could find if you do this yourself and you muck it up, you'll have to spend the same again and employ a professional to rectify. It's often worth investing money in getting a professional to do the job for you because you can be assured of a quality finish.

Justin: I find that there is general obsession with home improvement that is not gender specific. As far as I'm concerned this can only be good news because our homes are, after all are the biggest investment we are likely to make. With this in mind we should never cease to stop nesting and to continue investing...

...Colin: All the boys I know, are absolutely obsessed with tools!

Ashley: If you have a mortgage, with flexible features such as cash reserve, you may be able to draw down the equity in your property to help fund your home improvement project. This is often an economical way of borrowing money and can be at lower rates than your average high street loan. Think of your mortgage as your friend - as a financial planning tool!

Justin: We have been doing radio interviews all day and they ran a little late. Also our flight down here was a little late, so both things conspired to delaying our arrival. But now we are here, we are delighted to help!

...Colin: The truth is, Justin spent way too long in make up...

Justin: Theming rooms and badly installed kitchens and bathrooms, oh and badly installing budget laminated floors...

Ashley: Taking on a large DIY job can often result in disaster - this can be a false economy. Plan your project carefully and consider investing in employing professional people to do a good job that will add value to your home...

..Colin: Tiling is best left to professionals...

Ashley: Consider using your flexible mortgage to help with your renovation costs. More than 60% of our Freestyle mortgage customers are doing just that by drawing down available equity from their property. You can pay this off over a term that suits you and borrow at low mortgage rates.

Justin: If you are selling your family house it will always be better to include a bath. Our top tip is to know your market. Speak to your neighbors and local estate agents to address area specific needs. Armitage Shanks do fantastic showers which we consider the best on the market, give them a call...

...Colin: Installing a wet room requires proper drainage. It can be difficult to achieve the angle required to drain water away. So consider a step up into your shower enclosure and this will make the job easier.

Justin: The property market at the moment appears to have slowed down a little but this could also be due to the fact that Christmas is only several weeks away - a traditionally quiet time. To get the best price, hold back if you can afford to until the beginning of the year...

... Ashley: Normally, we would expect to see the market pick up from February onwards. If you can hold off from selling until then you may be able to get a better price for your house... it is dependant though on what's happening in the market at that time.

Justin: Perhaps it is a better idea when your house is at its tidiest and all the relatives have gone home. When the tree is down and the decorations are all back up in the loft your house will look more market appropriate. Happy Christmas and good luck for next year...

Colin: Just as you are looking forward to winding down at the end of the year, so too is your estate agent. So it makes sense to hold off on selling until the New Year. That includes taking estate agents pictures.

Colin: Anything that is potentially dangerous such as electrical issues, plumbing, plastering, building or roofing. You really should value your personal safety and value your property enough to do the right thing and employ a professional.

 ...Ashley: I'm sure you would rather be spending your money by employing professionals to improve your home than paying the price if you have an accident when attempting something like fitting new roof tiles.

Justin: Both of these rooms are rooms that buyers inherit fully furnished. As such what they see is what they get! And the better the vision the better the price. If anything the kitchen might have the financial edge.

...Ashley: We're seeing more and more of our Freestyle mortgage customers investing in their kitchen, bathroom or both. Kitchens are becoming increasingly popular with families as a space that can be called the hub of the home. Eating in is now the new going out. And for those that want to relax investing in a quality bathroom is becoming very popular - a spa sanctuary to enjoy after a long day.

Colin: Good to know Pete that your using the words "in season". Seasonal adjustment is a buzz area for us at the moment. The way forward for decorating is to create a clean canvas that you can change the moods and temperature of by changing simple accessories. A cream lounge with cream furniture will look boring until it is injected with colour to seasonalise it. The autumn colours we are using are berry shades, plums, chocolates and raspberries. And these should be used on cushions, throws, soft furnishings and artworks.

Justin: When you pay for what is called conveyancing you are paying for the full battery of attentive service. As such , it is your legal right to demand exactly how much attention you need and when you need it. Have the confidence to call your lawyer should he or she be difficult to reach and explain while they might be dealing with many properties your sale is your prime interest and as such you must be kept fully informed at all times. Remember you are paying them.

Ashley: If the cabinets are sound think in terms of new doors and work tops. If not it could be a false economy and a complete refit might be what's needed. This might not cost as much as you think, speak to friends and neighbours who have had quality jobs done in their own homes for a personal recommendation on which professional you can hire for the job.

Colin: 86 years....

Justin: It will be twenty years in April.

Justin: Blimey! Are you the Ben Sheppard from GMTV? Chains are a horrible scourge of the English property market and they are very easy to break, a good property lawyer can answer this question more than we can. We would recommend Sarah Rees Jones in Seven Oaks Kent. Having worked our way up the property ladder we know how difficult these things can be, but take heart - fingers crossed you'll be laughing at this in three months. Good Luck!

Justin: Where are you?

Ashley: Congratulations, this will be the first step on the property ladder for you - I hope all goes well. The right type of mortgage very much depends on your own individual circumstances. Why don't you log on to www.standardlifebank.com and check out the different options open to you? Our Freestyle mortgages are certainly worth looking at and this means if you do decide to take the plunge and buy your first home it could be more affordable than you might think...

Colin: Stockwell is an area that is on the up at the moment. So at least you know your property hot spots!

Justin: We generally recommend showing the best face of your house at all times. When you go out on a first date you make an effort to "scrubb up" so treat your potential sale as a similarly important event. Carpet needn't cost the earth our favourite retailer is Allied so give them a call. You might be pleasantly surprised at the low cost.

Justin, Colin and Ashley said:

Justin: Ummmmmmmmm...phone the Confederation of Master Decorators. This way you can ensure a quality job by a decorator in your area.

Justin, Colin and Ashley said:

Thanks everybody for fantastic support and interest. Best of luck for all your property endeavours and home improvements.