ON HGTV's "Get it Sold" (Wed. at 8:30 p.m.), designer and stager Sabrina Soto helps people transform their homes from cluttered to chic before putting them on the market. Here are her tips for how to whip your place into shape, whether you're selling it or just wanting to do some spring cleaning.

What's the No. 1 thing to do to freshen up a pad's looks? "Clean and clear out some furniture," says Soto. "That doesn't cost anything, and it can make such a big difference."

"Have a friend come over and give you an honest opinion," she says. Often, you live in a place so long that pet odors, mold or even plain old dirt aren't noticeable to you — but a pal will likely recognize them right away.

"Don't cook in the house for a few hours before an open house," says Soto. "You never know what might turn someone off. They might not even like the smell of banana bread."

Making your home look as light and bright as possible makes it feel more appealing, too. "Open the curtains, put on all the lights," says Soto. "It'll make the rooms look bigger."

Before letting potential buyers walk through your pad, "remove anything political or religious," says Soto. A McCain campaign volunteer might not bid if he spots "Vote for Hillary" signs in the home.

Posted by Jennifer Barger at 7:46 PM on March 27, 2008
Tagged in Condo Living , Lifestyles , Top Stories