The reality, however, can be far different from the ideal; living in the perfection of a model home may not be realistic for most of us. The good news is there are many ways you can borrow some model home tricks for your own abode - and boost your home's value, and your enjoyment of it, in the process.

Here are five tricks model home makers and decorators use to create the feeling of real estate Nirvana:

* Curb appeal is king. If you mother didn't tell you this while growing up, home shopping or selling will certainly teach you the lesson: first impressions count. Nothing sends buyers running for cover faster than a shabby exterior, so power wash siding every spring and take care of needed repairs like dangling shutters or peeling paint. Keep the grass mowed and flowers flourishing during the summer. If you don't have a green thumb, plant easy-care flowers like petunias to add pizzazz to your landscaping.

* Add designer touches that impart the biggest impact for the least amount of money, such as a wallpaper mural. Custom murals are all the rage in design circles and are popping up in model homes across the country. But hiring someone to paint a custom mural is probably out of the budget for most of us. Wallpaper murals, like those manufactured by Murals Your Way, can provide the same designer effect at a fraction of the cost. What's more, installation is quick and easy. Most homeowners can tackle the project on their own.. Check out www.muralsyourway.com to learn more.

* Keep the rooms clean. If you're selling your house, keeping rooms clean and clutter-free is a priority. Homebuyers rank dirty rooms at the top of their turn-offs list. If you're just living in your home, keeping it clean will make it a more healthful, comfortable place to live. In addition to your regular house chores, don't forget often overlooked tasks like cleaning the carpets and windows.

* Invest your renovation dollars wisely. Most families spend the greatest amount of their time in the kitchen and bath. It's no surprise, then, that upgrades to these rooms consistently deliver the highest payoffs in terms of increased value and homeowner enjoyment. You'll almost never see a model home with a common kitchen or a boring bath. If you want to evoke the drama of a model home in your own domicile, invest your remodeling budget in these two important rooms.

Recreating model home techniques in your own house can help maximize resale value and your enjoyment - and bring your abode that much closer to the ideal of the American Dream.

Courtesy of ARAcontent