Product Description

"House Doctor", presented by straight-talking Californian property stylist Ann Maurice, 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, 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!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #314409 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

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

Glasgow Herald, June 2002
Ann Maurice's mantra of clean, fix and hide works every time in this no-nonsense read.

About the Author
Ann Maurice is a specialist in styling homes to help them sell, and has made a career out of doing precisely that. She has made her name in this country with House Doctor and has gained many fans.

Customer Reviews

As seen on TV, exactly! Nothing new in here.
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!

THE BEST WAY TO SELL YOUR HOUSE!
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.

No nonsense, brimming with ideas and solutions
This is such a good book, very well illustrated and information packed. Well worth the money, even if you aren't selling your home!

My only criticism is, I WANT MORE!