I have a townhome I am trying to get ready to re-rent. I need to cut costs somewhere because I am having to make a lot of repairs, updates, etc. but I want something that resists stains, and generally holds up to tenant abuse. I have been advised that a tight weave Berber would be my best bet for the living room, stairs and bedrooms. And I was planning to use porcelain tile in the breakfast room, laundry, kitchen, bathrooms. I don't want to have to do this again in 2, 3 or 6 years. Am I making the right choices? Now I have a bigger problem as well. This townhouse is about 30 years old. The entry way is red brick, and it butts up against the living room on one side (carpet). I was going to have it torn out and replaced with the tile but every carpet/tile place tells me that will cost me a lot to tear out the brick, depending on whether it is a full brick or half brick and what is under it. Since I don't know the answers to these questions (don't know if there is a way to tell, do you?), I just had a thought (strange as that may be)! I know they stain concrete and paint concrete. Could I do something like that right over the brick?? What would this entail? Its about a 6x6 area. Any experts out there? or "been there, done thats"? [Its not flat. You know, the grout lines (mortar) aren't level with the brick.] Need some answers pretty quick. Have to get this thing on the market PDQ. Thanks.

A challenge! I'd recommend adding a see-through room-divider to the top of the half-wall, perhaps in a lattice or Moroccan style motif to create some separation without losing light. And I agree with adding a bench below the half-wall, too. I don't think there's much to be done about the proximity between the front and back doors unless you're willing to move the back door to a different location. My concern is one of safety: that back door is directly opposite the stairs which seems like an accident waiting to happen. Some room divider inspo:

Don't touch that staircase until you've talked with a professional and have everything ready. The moment you do you now have to comply with recent codes. I'd say looking at replacing the railing and carpet is a good idea, but be warned it is expensive so maybe hold off on the other projects until thats done. As for the trim, bring is a professional and get a quote on replacing vs painting. It's often cheaper to replacing since sanding the trim takes awhile but it depends on how much of it there is

You are required to have a continual hand rail that goes the distance of the entire stair and wraps the corner between the upper flight and lower flight. There is no inexpensive way to do that with glass. It’ll be difficult enough to be code compliant with wood. Additionally, split levels aren’t nearly a modern enough architectural home style to be putting in glass or cable anything. They are traditional style homes that should keep their traditional details. They look fractured and disjointed when you try to make them look like a downtown loft.