Monday 25 January 2016 9:08 am

UK house prices: This is how luxury property owners are selling their homes quicker

Making a fresh batch of coffee and croissants isn't enough to convince people to part with their cash for your property anymore – at least not if you're in the top end of the market.

As the super-prime market starts to cool, luxury home-owners are increasingly looking to "home styling" in order to secure the asking price (or more) for their top-notch pad.

The phenomenon, which started in California in the 1990s, can reduce a residential property's time on the market by 25 to 50 per cent, while a "dressed" home can fetch between five and 20 per cent more than an empty or badly presented home, according to the US National Association of Realtors.

Now the trend is coming to our shores – but what should people looking to make a quick sell do?

Books top the list, according to Rokstone's home styling team, but a sprinkling of broadsheet newspapers (particularly City-leaning ones) and luxury magazines also help.

And if you think those pictures of your wedding day, or the time the entire family spent a day getting their portraits done, are helping your cause, think again. No one wants to see them, least of all your prospective house buyer.