Townhouse Turnover

Cheryl and Peter Manikis have lived in their three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot townhouse for nine years. Not only do they currently have a new addition to the family, but they also have an additional mortgage--they have already closed escrow on a new house. So, the pressure is on to sell. They have turned to the Designed to Sell team to help rid them of this multiple-mortgage mess so they can quickly move out and move on.

Real estate expert Kathy Quaid is the first team member to arrive. She is charged with giving her candid opinion on the selling power of the townhouse. Starting with the exterior, she notes that it has a nice appearance, but since all the other ones in this community look alike, the interior needs to have a wow factor. Once inside, she notes that a contemporary makeover is in order in nearly all the rooms and the bathroom.

The next assessor on the scene is designer Monica Pederson, who agrees with Quaid and lays out a three-step home improvement plan. She'll be focusing on the great room, kitchen and master bathroom.

Step 1: Crash, boom, bang! Get rid of dated fixtures that get in the way of a sale.

Step 2: Go stir crazy. Mix up the layout to give the home a fair shake at open house.

Step 3: Take a vacation. Take buyers to a better place by leaving the blahs behind

Carpenters Jeff Alba and Robert North are sign on to help with this demolition for dollars.