The other day, I saw this comment about remodeling a vintage home to flip it on a real estate web site called Trulia:
"If it's vintage, pre-1980's, just clean it, update the HVAC, and leave it alone!!!
When I go into these homes and see "updated" granite counters, cherry cabs, stainless (or worse, Sam's club) appliances, 9 times of 10 I walk.
The fix 'n flip worked years ago, but now it's so overexposed it has become a detriment.
If it's a great floorplan, but I see these "upgrades" I think "lowball offer".
Retro cool & "Mad Men" is changing what people are looking for, and by throwing that stuff out, you're shooting yourself in the foot. Vintage?"
A lot of the people responding defended the standard practices of fix & flippers, based on their need to sell the home and make money. I understand that, and I agree. Once they buy it, it's their property.
But then, I think of the times I've walked into Victorian homes that were remodeled in the 70s and think what a shame it is that they took out all the Victorian charm. Is that the way people will be viewing these granite and stainless steel remodels in a few years?
I came across that comment shortly after viewing a 1960s vintage home in Arvada home with a client. The seller was the original owner, and it had so many cute features. I've written a separate post about it, but suffice it to say I had boomerang countertops and slant-front metal cabinets on my mind already!
Later that day, I received the August/September 2010 issue of The Arvada Report, which is mailed to all Arvada residents and businesses bi-monthly. The first article was, "Preservation for Living Project Kicks Off in Four Arvada Neighborhoods".
It said the project, "includes a series of free informational workshops on topics such as historic tax credits, window and masonry repairs, and energy efficiency measures in older homes. A "pattern book" of suggestions on how to sensitively remodel or make additions to older pre-war homes ...and for early post-war ... will also be developed... to educate homeowners about character defining features ... while helping them visualize designs to enhance livability and modern lifestyles."
Whoa - I think I'm seeing a trend here. (I hope so!)
Anyone out there run into any fix & flippers doing vintage renovations?
It's true these homes can look 'dated', but has anyone listed a 'Retro Cool Mad Men' style home? How did that go?
I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those *communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the 'flavor' of our community, in case they're new or moving to the Denver area.
I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly *suburbs northwest of Denver.
*Arvada, Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Westminster; also Thornton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Northglen, Lakewood
Read more about Arvada Colorado, a historic small town between Denver and Boulder.
Find Homes for Sale, no Matter Who Listed Them, at Dream House Hunting.
Copyright © 2011 Joetta Fort
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