* TREAT THESE ROOMS AS IF THEY WERE STAGED SETTINGS.

Buyers ask themselves, "Can I imagine myself LIVING in this room?" Your job is to make each room project a positive response. What touches make a room look truly inviting? Music is one element. Consider leaning a guitar in the corner of your living room, or opening some sheet music on the piano with a light shinning on it.

* HIGHLIGHT YOUR FIREPLACE.

Don't take for granted and expect the buyer to imagine the glow of a roaring fire; light one. Place something colorful on the mantel, but don't overdo!

* IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THESE ROOMS.

Make rooms visually larger by removing excess furniture. Have easy traffic flow patterns. Be sure that all doors open fully.

* DRAW ATTENTION TO EXPOSED BEAMS OR A CATHEDRAL CEILING.

* DON'T LET A TELEVISION SET DOMINATE THE ROOM.

* SET THE SCENE BY SETTING THE TABLE

You can stimulate a buyer's imagination by setting your dining table with pretty china and silver - a warm or welcome site. (Notice the photographs of dining rooms in any home decorating magazine.) Avoid going overboard - any stage setting that you create should reflect the character of your entire home - to be effective.

* VISUALLY ENLARGE A SMALL DINING AREA.

If your dining table has one or two leaves take one or two out. Consider placing your dining table against a wall. Remove any extra "company" chairs. Consider putting that looming China cabinet in storage until your house is sold. Aim for a clean and tidy look.

The kitchen continues to be the "heart of the home." A pleasant, working kitchen is near the top of most buyers' list of priorities.

* USE PROPS TO SET A CHEERFUL SCENE.

Set the scene with: - An open cookbook - A cooper colander filled with blueberries - A basket of eggs - A bunch of carrots on a wooden cutting board - A ceramic mixing bowl and wire whisk.

* MAKE IT SMELL LIKE GRANDMA'S KITCHEN.

"Nothing' says lovin' like something from the over." These aromas are associated with happiness and a sense of well-being. An original kitchen aroma can be created on top of your stove, or here's a mix guaranteed to have buyers longing to whip up a batch of cookies in your kitchen:

Halve the nutmeg and add all ingredients to 3 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer In the heat of summer, a bowl of lemons on the counter will provide a fresh and pleasant aroma.

* EXPAND YOUR SMALL COUNTER SPACE.

Clean counters of small appliances. Check the counter top around your sink, and remove any detergent or cleanser, etc., that may be cluttering the area.

* CREATE MORE STORAGE SPACE.

If your cabinets, draws, and closets are jammed full, buyers assume that your storage space is inadequate. Weed out all these areas, removing what you don't use, storing seldom-used items elsewhere, and reorganizing shelves. Neat, organized shelves and draws fool the eye by looking larger.

* ACCENT KITCHEN WINDOWS.

Large, cheerful kitchen windows are a real plus and should be highlighted as a special feature of your home. Hang a stained glass mobile or some wind chimes in front of your sunny kitchen window. If you hang a bird feeder outside your window, nature will seem to become part of the room.

* HIGHLIGHT AN EAT-IN AREA OF YOUR KITCHEN.

Accentuate by setting the table for an informal meal with bright placemats and a generous bowl of fruit as a centerpiece.

A separate laundry room is a true asset and is appreciated by all buyers. Don't hide this treasure behind closed doors. Spruce up the room and leave the door proudly open for inspection.

* MAKE IT CHEERFUL AND APPEALING.

Add a fresh coat of paint! Is it well organized? Piles of dirty laundry can be a real turn-off to the buyer's eye - and his nose!

* SET IT UP TO DO DOUBLE DUTY.

If there's room for a table and chair, could it be a pleasant sewing area? Set up that old Singer and place a bright colored piece of fabric under the presser foot.

Stairways should provide an attractive transition from one level of your home to another.

* MAKE THEM SAFE.

Stair lighting should be more than adequate, stairs must be clutter free, stair railings tight and secure, and runners or carpeting tacked securely. Cheerfully decorated stairs are positive!

* ADD VISUAL INTEREST TO THE STAIRWELL.

A carefully chosen accent might improve the area's visual appeal. If you have a wide, gracious staircase, emphasize this feature by hanging a few pictures along the wall. Draw attention to a handsome lighting fixture by polishing the brass and dusting each small light bulb or crystal prism. Any stair landing should also have an attractive focal point, be it a fern on a plant stand, a dramatic poster, a chiming clock, or a special chair on a large stair landing. If the staircase is narrow, fool the eye by minimizing clutter.

Copyright © 1999