- Paperback: 128 pages
- Publisher: Collins (3 April 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 000721653X
- ISBN-13: 978-0007216536
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,385,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Ignore Ann Maurice's impersonation of American Psycho on the front cover, the contents of House Doctor really aren't anything to be nervous of. This book accompanies the popular Channel 5 series featuring the very straight-talking Californian property stylist. Her mission: to make simple, inexpensive changes to the presentation of your home to increase its value and your chances of selling it. Like the show, the emphasis here is not on striking or dramatic makeovers in the Changing Rooms style. You aren't meant to like the designs, they should be subtle, almost a neutral canvas so the people visiting your house can imagine themselves living there. As Ann continually reiterates, the biggest mistake sellers make is in assuming that because they love their home, a prospective buyer will feel the same. None of the designs will excite but all have proven to be, in a bland kind of way, the ideal way to add value to your home and ensure it appeals to the majority of people entering your front door.
Ann's advice is mostly good common sense but as some of these "pre-makeover" photographs show; common sense is a rare quality amongst homeowners. This is where her tasteful intervention is required. Seven chapters take you through the houses with before and after shots of exteriors, entrances, reception rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and gardens. Anyone who's seen the show will recognise much, if not all, of what they see here. The same remedies are repeated throughout; clean furiously, fix anything broken, hide anything ugly and make rooms as light and airy as possible--people want space, not to see a lifetime accumulation of worldly possessions. Remembering to remove traces of everyday chores--washing up, ironing board, etc, and avoid over personalisation. These cures sound and look all too easy but remarkably seem to work every time.
All in all, a cheap and cheery read, but if you are trying to sell your house you could do a lot worse than follow this doctor's orders. --Rachel O'Connor --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Glasgow Herald, June 2002
Ann Maurice's mantra of clean, fix and hide works every time in this no-nonsense read.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you've seen the TV programme, you've seen it all, there's nothing new in this book, and, just as on TV, the book doesn't tell you what paints have been used for a particular situation, or 'how to create the effect'. Although I enjoyed reading the book, (which took me all of one evening), I would have preferred more in-depth information on subjects such as "what to do and what not to do" when it comes to finishing touches etc. Only worth buying if you haven't seen the programme!
Format:Hardcover
This is a great book to help anyone who is even thinking of puting a home on the market to sell. Ann Maurice offers very practical and logical things one should do to market your home for resale. One of the most practical tips is to "de-clutter" your home of anything not needed and in particular of personal items.
10 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Full of essential advice and definitely helps you to sell your house/flat. One of the best Home Improvement programmes on television (despite being on Channel 5). A great gift for any property owner.
Listmania!
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