Staged to Sell (or Keep): Easy Ways to Improve the Value of Your Home

by Jean Nayar

With the aftershocks of the recent mortgage crisis, anxiety about inflation and a volatile economy, many Americans are concerned about enhancing the value of their homes. Whether you plan to continue living in your home, are determined to sell immediately, or want to increase its resale value for years down the road, Staged to Sell (or Keep) will show you how to look at and transform your home.

Chapters will address room by room ways to improve the value of your home through paint, surface upgrades, fabrics and soft touches, furnishings and accents, lighting, clutter control and artistic and architectural focal points.

Clearly organized, filled with photos of inspiring rooms, and brimming with expert tips, this book will help readers recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their home, and show them how to bring out its best. The ideas presented here can be done in an hour, an afternoon or over several months, depending on your timeframe and your budget. Like some of the best things in life, many of these improvements cost very little or are even free!

Genres: Nonfiction, Interior Design

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[K.N. Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really should have been named Staged to Keep (or Sell) because there’s slim information for home sellers.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite the title, this book was not primarily about staging your home for sale. It was a fairly standard decorating book, complete with a seven question style quiz and photos of rooms decorated in the seven styles. (Yes, I chose one answer from each category.)

I skimmed through it, in case it contained any gems on home staging, but, no, it did not. It did not give practical advice on improving the value of your home, either. There were no cost comparisons on how much of a return to expect on improvements, no advice on how to market your home, nothing. Just decorating.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a scan through. Good ideas and pictures just not that inspiring.

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the title seems to focus more on selling (and in a down economy?), the book focuses, very lightly, on types of major improvements - replacing floors, windows and kitchens for example. Also included are window treatments, painting and furniture. It starts by focusing on the owner's preference which would indicate keeping the home.
I found the conceptual framework of the book confusing. And it lacks depth for the home improvement stuff. The photos are nice.

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea behind this book, but the authors didn't quite pull it off. There were a few really good pictures, but basically the pages were far too busy for me. There was a little good advice, but really no new ideas. Really it was just a ho-hum book to me.

[K'Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good suggestions and good information. A fun book to look through for ideas.

[Kristi Elker · Rating 4 out of 5]

decorating, home staging