Site Conditions

• Departing tenants left a lot of interior damage
• Missing fixtures, only 2 functioning bathrooms, lower level deconstructed down to the studs; Seller was out of funding and ideas
• Craig researched permit records, and the job card for downstairs remodel was signed but not recorded with City (included expanded square footage, new master suite, and updated seismic, electrical, and plumbing)
• Kitchen resurfacing was incomplete, storage areas packed with old furniture

Results of Our Work

• Our contractor met with inspector, who called for additional refinements to construction and finally approved closure of permits and recorded approved work
• Moved seller out to allow for $100,000 in work, completed over 2 weeks
• Designer selected finishes and fixtures to complement existing for cohesive, contemporary appearance
• Received 6 offers, all well above asking

The Numbers 

• Listed: $1.799M 
• Sold: $2.1M 
• Offers: 6 
• Days on market: 41

A Big-Budget Undertaking

Craig had a listing in the neighborhood many years ago and it caught this seller’s attention. Meticulous, articulate, and very assured, he wanted to exit his home, but his life was complicated.

He had made short-term rentals to ‘friends’ who eventually became terrible tenants. And with no immediate need or incentive to sell, he let things go.

Although the homeowner had started many projects, he left the property’s entire lower level demolished to the studs. Craig’s research showed signatures for permit completion on the job cards but they weren’t recorded in the building department records. A lot of work remained—on the home and the cleanup tasks of closing permits, conducting inspections, etc.

Craig was concerned with the sizable $100,000+ budget established to update the home, so he focused on generating the highest possible return for the seller’s investment.

Exterior (before) Landscaping and fence looked unloved. Seller was unhappy with dark color of the building.

Exterior (after) Seller insisted we lighten exterior paint color before marketing the home, which added substantially to our budget. Was it a mandatory work order? No, but a seller priority and he agreed with our designer’s color choice.

Living room (before) Appealing space with hardwood floors in good shape. “If only we could get away from the orange color these oak floors have turned over the years, I’d be much happier,” the seller said. Our designer also recommended lighter walls to awaken the room. 

Living room (after) Fulfilled seller’s wish—found a much cooler floor stain/finish. Removed window coverings for upbeat, sunny vibe. Painted walls and ceiling neutral white to accent open beams and the ceiling seemed to float. New colors complemented fireplace granite, which buyers repeatedly noticed.

Dining room (before) While the interior architecture was not changed, we planned to update floor and wall color and create more visual space.

Dining room (after) Our new look communicated clean and contemporary, with a sense of comfortable, elegant living. Not stuffiness.

Living room, view 2 (before) Didn’t show as modern and spacious. 

Living room, view 2 (after) The redesign carried into the main hall and foyer. The minute buyers walked in they got an immediate sense of the dramatic ceiling height and clean, bright design theme.

Back yard (before) The outdoor space was wild and ungroomed. However, we could envision its potential.  

Back yard (after) Polished up and ready for relaxing. Our designer made great use of the seller’s Asian art pieces throughout the yard and home.