Selling a home . . . Clean is not enough!

Inexpensive makeovers can increase resale value

In cities across America, a growing number of "stagers" prepare homes or condos for sale. They say it's not enough to clean the house. To get top dollar, you have to do more.Though it would be nice to replace the kitchen appliances and modernize a bathroom, some steps are less expensive and very attractive to prospective buyers. New linens, pillows, and shams for the master bedroom can help. Regrouting a bathroom is wise. One designer bought a brightly colored shower curtain and rug to draw the eye away from older fixtures.Strive for a model home style. Refrigerator magnets have to go. The goal is to show potential buyers a dwelling that is both tasteful and impersonal enough to allow them to "mentally move in," say designers writing in Business Week. Stagers rearrange furniture to point the eye to a home's strongest features such as an architectural flourish or a beautiful view. They relegate contents of counter tops, closets, and bookshelves to storage. They dress up rooms with area rugs and framed prints. They may install new light fixtures, and they paint walls in neutral tones that won't clash with a buyer's furniture. Preparing for a home sale* View it from across the street: Trim bushes, wash windows, paint the front door, add a new door knocker or mailbox.* See the view from doorways: Check what buyers see before entering a room. Check the view after any change * Declutter: Remove most photos and knickknacks. Clear kitchen and bathroom counter tops. Organize cabinets and closets. Remove bulky or excess furniture.* Let them see light: Take down heavy or layered drapes and raise blinds. Clean fixtures or buy new ones. Keep the lights on when showing the house.