Designed to Sell: Make any home the hottest property on the block with expert advice from the popular HGTV series [Paperback]

HGTV (Author), Vicki Christian (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

Whether the reader’s home is stuck in the 1970s or they are looking to freshen things up, they will learn cost-effective strategies to maximize their investment—or their enjoyment, if selling isn’t in their immediate plans.

Packed with practical interior design ideas, home improvement tips, and real estate insider secrets that help home sellers go beyond just cleaning up the place.

Provides the tools to increase the beauty and functionality of every home, while maximizing the owner’s investment.

Expert advice from Designed to Sell host Clive Pearse and interior designer Lisa LaPorta on selling a home quickly and getting top dollar for the property.

Filled with clever and useful information for getting a home ready to sell or for making the right improvement to increase the home’s value.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: HGTV (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069622450X
• ISBN-13: 978-0696224508
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #556,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, it is HERE! Here are the great features....., March 9, 2006

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Designed to Sell: Make any home the hottest property on the block with expert advice from the popular HGTV series (Paperback)

I've been a fan of this show for awhile even though I like some of the homes better than others. Still, for quick results and homes that look great on a rock bottom budget, this one can't be beat. It takes a certain skill to see your home with fresh eyes, know what to toss or store and what to keep, what paint to use to update your tired or dingy walls and how to style your home for the greatest effect. This book shows you how.

I couldn't believe how some of the "ugly duckling" rooms could actually look stylish. Clive Pearse, LIsa LaPorta, Donna Freeman and Shannon Freeman (who all worked on this book) have talent!


Features include:

1. Plenty of full-color photos, including close-ups of key elements. Nice graphics, easy to read, very user friendly.

2. An eye on the budget. There are cost breakdowns for any improvements or materials such as paint, window treatments and accessories.


3. An awareness of what sellers want. They KNOW you don't want to sink any more money into your home than you have to before you sell it and move on to your next home. They know you DO want to sell it for the best price possible. And if you can spend between $500 and $2000 and end up with $50,000 or more profit than comparable homes on the market....why not go for it?

4. Ideas for showcasing shelves, bookcases and architectural features.

5. Tips on lighting, creating drama, directing the eye to prime features (fireplaces, built-ins, chandeliers).

Great bang for your buck!

65 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Ideas, but Improbable Budgets., April 9, 2006

By 

R. Long (Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Designed to Sell: Make any home the hottest property on the block with expert advice from the popular HGTV series (Paperback)

The ideas put forth in this book are simple and common sense, yet many were things I hadn't thought of. After living in my house for 5 years there were so many things I just didn't see any more and this book really helped me take a look through someone else's eyes. It is good for overall ideas, and reasonably good at specifics, though I often found myself wondering, "Just how did they do that?" They are very good at pointing out that though the investment in paint and furniture seems expensive, you should put it into perspective against how much more the house is worth with the changes.

I did not give this book 5 stars because of the budget feature, which is completely unrealistic. I don't know where I could buy all new living and dining room furniture for $663, especially not of the quality shown. In one feature on a bedroom they added a bed and a dresser, yet the budget did not include furniture. I really hate things like this in books because it diminishes my respect for the authors' and their other ideas.

So, get it, read it, but use your common sense. Be inspired, but you'll have to be creative on your own to stay within the budget!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of pretty pictures. Not much advice., April 11, 2007

By 

John D. Hatch (Palm Harbor, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Designed to Sell: Make any home the hottest property on the block with expert advice from the popular HGTV series (Paperback)

If you're a fan of the show, you'll probably love this book. It has lots of large colorful pictures and nice bios of the stars. (Did you know Shannon Freeman is Donna Freeman's daughter? I didn't.)
The Pros:
* Lots of pretty pictures.
* A quick read.
* Bios of the Designed to Sell Team
* Lots of pretty pictures.
The Cons:
* Not much in the way of ideas of techniques.
* Too many pretty pictures.
The bulk of this book is a recap of various shows they've done. Unless your house is similar to one of their shows, you won't find much.

Personally, I found "Buying for Profit" from the folks at Property Ladder to be chock full of useful ideas for updating your home and preparing a property for sale.