Small Details = Big Profit

Inside she finds a cluttered living room, way-too-bright kitchen and an office/nursery room that needs to have just one identity. You want to take the guesswork out for potential buyers, she says.

The wall color in the living room feels claustrophobic to Donna. Playing up the charming cottage-canyon aspect and downplaying items that are old and awkwardly placed should help make it more appealing.

This kitchen needs to be toned down and neutralized to appeal to most tastes. In addition, the counter space needs to be organized and cleaned up, some appliances need replacing, and there is not a true dining space.

Designer Lisa LaPorta is next on the scene. She finds similar problems with the home and lays out a plan to fix them before the open house:

Step 1: Clear the way. Cut back the greenery out front to make it visible from the street and appealing to the buyer.

Step 2: Trick the eye. Use color schemes, window treatments and furniture placement to make this tiny house seem larger.

Step 3: Amplify the area. Make the front porch and kitchen more user friendly to maximize square footage.

The good news is everything she proposes is not super expensive but will add tremendous value. Contractor Jim Collins and carpenters Brad Haviland and Nick Ralbovsky are on board to help turn this small cottage into a big profit maker. Let's see how they did: