Condo Cash-In

Now that Delores and Jonathan Roa are wrapping up their college careers, they'd like a bigger place where they can start a family. They need help transforming their current home, a condominium, into a hot property that'll have potential buyers making offers this couple can't refuse.

Real estate expert Donna Freeman stops in for an assessment, starting with the exterior, which she notes suffers from deferred maintenance. Even the plants at the entrance look sickly. Once inside, her attention immediately goes to the pet odor. Her concerns for the living room include the out-of-date furniture and wet bar as well as the bright-green carpeting that she's certain will repel buyers.

Enter design expert Lisa LaPorta. She develops a plan that is sure to garner top dollar for this young couple.

Step 1: Downplay the difference. Tone down the contrast between the walls and the floor to make the room seem bigger.

Step 2: Catch the eye. Choose an eye-catching feature in each room and design around it.

Step 3: Work off the years. Freshen the worn and weary, so buyers will think it's brand new.

Carpenters Steve Hanneman and Brooks Utley are on board to help bring Lisa's plan to life.