House doctor - Ann Maurice

House Doctor is a highly successful prime-time Channel 5 series which shows you how simple changes to your home can dramtically increase its market value and help you secure that all-important sale - and make a substantial profit!

House Doctor, presented by straight-talking Californian property stylist Ann Maurice (the 'Doctor'), has become compulsive viewing in the UK. Ann gives practical, inexpensive advice on how to present any type of home to the market in its best possible light, and clinch that all-important sale.

The focus of this book is not on dramatic or extreme makeovers of the Changing Rooms variety, but on styling the home you have to maximum advantage, and without spending a fortune. While aimed primarily at people wishing to sell their home, the book also provides plenty of ideas for people looking to smarten up their property, both inside and out, and then enjoy the results themselves. In fact, as participants in the programme have found, by following Ann's advice their living space is so improved that they can't bear the thought of some else getting the benefit!

House Doctor is illustrated with specially-commissioned photography from many of the real-life, on-site cases filmed for the series. The Before and After photographs show how each room in turn can be turned into a style winner. The book looks at a range of different types of property, from contrasting geographical areas, paying particular attention to that all-important first impression. We know that most buyers make up their mind about a property within a few seconds of entering, and often before getting beyond the front door. House Doctor explains what your home style and colours say about the home - and about you.

Specific topics covered include:
creating a focal point in a room
colours that never work
dealing with techno-clutter
scents and smells
maximising 'kerb appeal' (why if you really want to sell your home you should paint your front door blue)
making your garden an oasis not a scrapyard,