Ben and Erin pose for a pic in the newly renovated dining room of Coy and Kenya Rice. This renovation, on a 1500-square foot home that's more than a century old, included a custom kitchen upgrade, a colorful exterior transformation — and a big surprise in the attic.

The Hill House was built in 1901 and is on an attractive street that's undergoing something of a neighborhood renaissance. In its unadorned state, it's simple and plain, but does offer some of the historic charm and features that the homeowners are seeking — including a Southern cottage feel and a full-width front porch. The house is 1500 square feet, comes with two bedrooms and two baths, and a list price of $62,500.

The exterior gets a color-themed upgrade, going from plain, flat white to a pale yellow with soft blue accents. The concrete porch is painted blue to match the new custom shutters and a single French door is added along with a new porch swing and outdoor furniture. The existing columns get dressed up with sash curtains.

Coy and Kenya are moving to Mississippi to be closer to their children and grandchildren, and looking to downsize to a comfortably manageable home that has some Southern charm. Coy is a minister and wants a home office where he can meet with parishioners. Kenya, who is returning to her hometown, basically wants a nice kitchen, and likes bright and vibrant colors. Both like a cozy, cottagey vibe, but want space that's adequate for entertaining family. Their all-in budget of $125,000 leaves about $62,500 for renovations — an amount about equal to the purchase price of The Hill House.