Ready to Relocate

First-time home sellers Amy and Bill Duke are relocating out of state, so Bill can start his medical career. This growing family needs help to make their 1950s raised ranch stand out from the rest in their Chicago suburb! That's where the Designed to Sell team comes into play.

Real estate expert Bethany Souza notes that the exterior of the home is plain and has nothing to define it from the rest of the homes on the street. Once inside, she's bombarded with the quantity of furniture pieces in the living area. She is also underwhelmed by the combination of dark-maroon carpet, white walls and heavy, outdated draperies. Further, she thinks the cabinets in the eat-in kitchen need freshening and that the clutter will be a buyer turnoff.

Design expert Monica Pedersen is on the scene with a plan that will make this property pop.

Step 1: Accentuate the positive. Showcase the use of a home's best features, such as a breakfast nook, to help buyers visualize a room's potential.

Step 2: Choose furniture to fit the space. Too many pieces can overwhelm a space, making it appear cramped and uncomfortable.

Step 3: Lose the carpet to find added value. Many homes have hardwood flooring underneath the carpet. Exposing this primo feature can instantly update a space.

Assisting in today's makeover is carpenter-extraordinaire Robert North.