Townhome Transformation

Homeowner Kai Fountain lives in Washington, D.C., and just started grad school in Virginia. The commute has become too much — she spends more time on the road then she does studying — so she's decided to sell her four-bedroom townhome to move closer to school. Built in 1915, the house is located in a great neighborhood with lots of character and beautiful turn-of-the-century homes.

Real estate expert Shirley Mattam-Male pays a visit and gives an honest assessment of the home. Her first impression as she enters the property is that it looks like a mudslide poured down from the sloped yard. As she moves up the steps she can't help but notice the bars on window and the doors, saying that it makes the place looks like prison. Walking through the front door, the dirty carpet on the staircase and plain beige wall both stand out like sore thumbs. Then she finds the living and dining area so sparse she decides to use it for bowling practice!

Designer Taniya Nayak agrees with Mattam-Male and sets out a $2,000 plan to turn those real estate turnoffs into turn-ons.

Step 1: Curb appeal. Make a great first impression on potential buyers. Address the mudslide issue, and give the entry some life, energy and color.

Step 2: Inviting entry. Change out the dingy carpet on the staircase, and add some interest to the plain, boring wall in the entryway.

Step 3: Living and dining area. Create a distinct dining area and then add stylish new seating to the living area.

Contractor John Allen and carpenter Matt Steele set the work agenda.

Curb appeal sells homes, but this one doesn't have any. The plain dirt yard is washing away onto the concrete walkway, making it impossible to get to the door without stepping in mud. The bars on the door and windows give the illusion of a prison and make the neighborhood seem undesirable.