The property market is so hot that in many parts of the country you need to be able to make an offer at lightning speed if you want to secure your dream home – or any home for that matter.

Estate agents in hot spots often put a property on the market in the morning, and see their client accept an offer above the asking price in the afternoon. Some properties are so popular that they go to sealed bids – an auction process in which you do not know how much other people are bidding.