When decorating model homes, professional decorators have two goals in mind to make the home memorable and salable.  They follow the rule of creating a lifestyle the buyer can't resist.  In other words, do everything you can to make the home so beautiful, charming, cozy, inviting, comfortable and exciting that a buyer will want to buy that lifestyle for himself.

When you are selling your property, you want potential buyers to leave your home with the same feeling.  And you can, by making just a few decorative improvements.  Here are some guidelines to make your property distinctive and memorable.

1.  Consult with your real estate professional.  He or she will be able to offer an objective view of what buyers are looking for in your competitive market.  Depending upon location, neighborhood, demographics and price range, the special touches that turn on buyers may range from splashy master bathrooms and gourmet kitchens to play areas just for the kids or home offices.

2.  Eliminate clutter.  Notice how model homes are perfect with no mess, clutter, or mass of personal belongings heaped about?  Only a few exquisite and well-placed accessories on tables, desks, chests, etc.  It may sound impossible, but it's not.  Clear counters and furniture of everything except decorative accessories.  Put the personal things--cosmetics, toiletries, clothes, bills, papers, and home workout equipment of sight.  Tuck wastebaskets under counters or inside cabinets.  Clutter and personal belongings detract from the important features of the home.

3.  Create a color theme.  If you embark on any investment decorating, like painting, wallpaper, draperies or new furniture purchases, create a color theme that's consistent.  Wall-to-wall carpeting should be the same throughout the house.  Neutral colors are best to please all tastes.

4.  Create custom spaces.  Luxury master bathrooms, decorator kitchens, built-in cabinets, computer workstations, exercise rooms, and children's play areas are the kinds of features that generate sales appeal.  Even if you don't have these specific custom spaces, you can fashion them or suggest the potential for creating them.  New counter tops or floors and shiny new appliances add high sales appeal and customize a kitchen.  A few well-placed built-ins and a computer station can create a convenient office nook in a kitchen, family room or bedroom.  Accessories, mirrors, plants and fluffy new towels can generate a feeling of luxury even in a plain-Jane bathroom.  Turn an extra bedroom into an exercise room if you've got the equipment, or a loft space into a child's play area or hobby center.

5.  Keep it clean and pristine.  Dust, vacuum, mop and polish on a regular basis.  You're not selling the furniture, but a high shine on wood furniture and floors can make a room sing.  Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.  Windows should sparkle.  Keep yards and landscaping neat and attractive.  Add color spots of flowers to perk up entryways and yards.

Try to imagine the kind of lifestyle your target buyer would enjoy, and create it with decorative touch-ups.  You don't have to spend a great deal of money to give your property the competitive edge.