Cashing In On a Sale

Stacey Long and Scott Genovese are looking forward to moving closer to family and new job opportunities, but first, they have to sell their home. They are excited about revamping the house and making a profitable sale. The couple has lived in the three-bedroom, one-bath house for a year and a half. The 1,150-square-foot home is in good shape, but the multifaceted color palette maybe too much for potential buyers.

Real estate expert Shannon Freeman is first to pay the couple a visit. She loves the outside of the home, but she leaves all her praise at the door. Once inside, she says she wishes she were colorblind, as she's hit with a barrage of various wall colors. It's like being in a crayon box! In the living room, she finds the furniture shabby, the walls damaged and the carpet grungy. The dining room could be an asset, but the bright colors and awkward furniture placement will probably be a big turnoff to most buyers. While the rest of the house is brimming with color, the kitchen gets low marks for its lack of color and sterile feel.

Designer Lisa LaPorta agrees with Freeman and has some design ideas that will turn this crayon box into a box of cash.

Step 1: Color it gone! Paint over the bright colors with neutral tones to appeal to more buyers.

Step 2: Floor 'em! Replace dingy flooring to get the home in step with its competition.

Step 3: Flaunt the features! Arrange rooms to show off the positives.

Carpenters Brooks Utley and Steve Hanneman are ready to take on the challenge.

The big windows are a great selling point, but they are hidden by clutter and curtains. The apartment-grade carpet is brown and dingy. Buyers will be cutting dollars from their offering price if they have to install new flooring. The walls are too bright; too much color will not draw in buyers.