Wanted: Family-Friendly Digs

Joobee and Allen Hughes are ready to trade their urban condo and move to a calmer, more family-friendly area. The Designed to Sell team brings years of experience as well as a $2,000 budget to help this pair garner a top sale from their home.

Real estate expert Shannon Freeman agrees to provide an honest assessment of the place, starting with the main living area. She says it lacks color, has an awkward furniture arrangement and is too cluttered with personal items. The kitchen and dining room got low marks, too, thanks to outdated design and fixtures. The good news is this house has the potential to be staged perfectly, but right now it needs some work.

That's where designer Lisa LaPorta comes in. She devises a three-step plan for adding life and vitality to the living room, kitchen and dining room.

Step 1: Less is more. Get rid of clutter and hide personal items to streamline design.

Step 2: Focus pocus. Give each room a focal point for a magical transformation.

Step 3: Go with the flow. Remove barriers to create a more fluid floor plan.

Carpenters Steve Hanneman and Brooks Utley sign on to help Joobee and Allen fetch a bigger bottom line.