Upgrading to a Larger Space

Liz Newman is ready for a change of scenery, so she's packing up and putting her house on the market. Her 3-year-old son, Ben, is nearly ready to start school, and she wants to graduate to a new school district. Plus, they have outgrown their current space since her mom moved in some time back. She enlists the Designed to Sell team of experts to help her garner more green for her upgrade.

Real estate expert Shannon Freeman starts things off when she arrives to evaluate the Newman home. She doesn't even make it in the front door before commenting on the curb appeal, or in this case, lack thereof. She notes a huge area of dead grass, missing bricks on the worn patio and a picket fence that resembles a pen for livestock. Inside, she finds a lot of square footage hidden by clutter and awkward furniture arrangements. There are good bones and potential here, but it's a classic case of clutter crisis.

Designer Lisa LaPorta seconds that opinion and takes it a step further by laying out a three-step plan for setting the open-house stage. Her focus will be on front yard, living/dining room and office.

Step 1: Grow a sale. Boost your home's curb appeal to bolster the bottom line.

Step 2: Boost the best. Eliminate clutter so your home's best features can shine.

Step 3: Scale back! Use minimum furniture pieces for maximum effect and maximum dollars.

Carpenters Steve Hanneman and Brooks Utley are on board for this project and start by demolishing the fence and removing the brick patio.