A RETIRED Basingstoke GP is the first "patient" for the House Doctor, a new property service introduced by an estate agent and an interior designer.

Michael O'Shea, owner of the independent estate agency Keel Barrett, has called in designer Marina Wooldridge, of Oakley-based Honeysuckle Interiors, to offer a makeover service to his vendors.

Popular television shows spell out how a few improvements and a more modern image can add value to finding a buyer for a house - and so Mr O'Shea has made the decision to put this into practice in Basingstoke.

And Dr Susan Upchurch is the first House Doctor client, with the two-bedroomed apartment she is selling on the Barratt Homes development of Regent Court, on Norn Hill, which is on the market for £175,000.

Last week, the House Doctor gave a "spacial" report on the apartment

Dr Upchurch has paid £100 for the inspection, which will then be refunded when the sale of the property is completed through Keel Barrett.

If she decides to go ahead with any of the improvements the House Doctor suggests, a team will be on hand to move in to get the work done.

Mr O'Shea said: "As far as we are aware, we're the first agent in Basingstoke to do this. We're constantly asked what can be done to make a house more saleable but our expertise is valuing and marketing.

"When it comes to advice on presentation, we can only give the layman's view, so we needed an association with someone with design expertise."

He added: "It's a competitive market and the standard advice when a property has not sold is to drop the price.

We think there is more to it.

"Presentation can make a property more attractive and get a sale quicker without necessarily having to lower the price. This is looking at the market from a different angle."

And despite only being introduced this year, the House Doctor idea is already catching on, with more and more Keel Barrett vendors asking for details of the new service.

Mrs Wooldridge said: "First impressions always count. Creams and golds are a good colour to paint a room and then add colour with accessories."

"Creating a lifestyle that sells homes" is the 2005 message to vendors from Keel Barrett.