Sayonara, Starter Home

Leonore and George Lee have lived in their 1923 Prairie-style bungalow for six years. Newly married when they first bought it, they now have two small boys and are ready to move on to a larger space. Though they've made some upgrades to this 2,000-square-foot house, they'll need to ramp it up if they're going to get top dollar in this suburban neighborhood. Armed with a $2,000 budget and expert ideas, the Designed to Sell team signs on to get this family's home off the market in a flash.

Real estate expert Brandie Malay signs on to assess the home so the Lees know what to do to boost their bottom line. She likes the home's exterior and hopes to feel the same way once inside. However, she is disappointed, as the first room she sees is the spare room that has become a catchall for everything from children's toys to law textbooks. Malay notes that in this price range, every room has to count as useable space. Moving on to the kitchen, her eye is quickly drawn to low-end details such as cabinet knobs and oversize fluorescent lighting, which overshadow the few modern amenities.

Design expert Monica Pedersen lays out a plan that will have this house on par with neighboring homes in no time. She'll give the spare room a sense of purpose by eliminating the clutter and bringing in new office furniture. A new light fixture and fresh window treatments will showcase the room as a home office. In the kitchen, the light fixture will be first to go. New granite countertops and updated cabinet hardware are upgrades that are like money in the bank. Here's how she'll bring her plan to life:

Step 1: Keep up with the Joneses. Homebuyers in this price range want to see lots of upgrades, and that's what the team plans to deliver.

Step 2: Eliminate an identity crisis. When a room is given a distinct sense of purpose, buyers see added value.

Step 3: Close the sale in the kitchen. Kitchens sell homes, and even minor upgrades will impress buyers.

Carpenters Steve Hanneman and Chad Lopez are on board to help the team close a big sale.