Selling a home when buyers are on the beach is hard at any time, but 2011 is extra tough. Some 70 per cent of homes on the market since January remain unsold and each estate agent is handling an average 78 homes for sale. This is far higher than usual in summer, says Rightmove.

So sellers have to go to extreme lengths to make their home stand out. You would think, for example, that a rare eight-bedroom penthouse with two terraces overlooking Lord’s cricket ground would sell in a strong central London market. But even here, sellers go the extra mile.

“I hit the jackpot when it …