Older houses and stale house plans may need a perky new look for them to sell faster (in a buyer's market especially) and possibly get more than comp prices. [Above: Houston owner called while house was under construction; Below is facelift]
Real estate agents and builders know that curb appeal is a very important factor in getting buyers seriously interested. A house may sit for months and get low ball offers if the style is dated compared to newer product hitting the market.
The degree of a 'fix' is dependent on budget and time. Sometimes painting is enough. Sometimes structural elements need to be revised and other architectural components added. A seller needs to be informed that the exterior and interior of a house may be creating obstacles to obtaining a good price. Otherwise, perceived value will result in lower offers or the house completely bypassed.
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The project above was given to a waterfront real estate company here in Winter Park, Florida to try to pre-sell. The builder was holding a beautiful lot that had to be compacted for several months so potential buyers had only blueprints to view. The Realtors claimed that the plan was not that interesting and that buyers couldn't get over the large pile of dirt sitting on the property.
The builder contacted me to offer two alternatives to the existing design. One was a more detailed and interesting version of the vernacular, the other a total image redo as a Modern house. Without changing the footprint much at all, here are the two designs I prepared:
This is a 5,300 SF house (conditioned living space). The plan just needed a bit of tweaking but FAR was involved and time was of the essence so a completely different design and set of plans were out of the question.
Of course, every house design must be evaluated for the cost/benefit of doing a minor to major change!
High-end properties that have advantages to keeping the footprint intact (for example in Malibu and in other highly restricted/regulated zoning) and to make just cosmetic changes can benefit from a facelift only.
These types of changes can create far more intense interest and leverage the value and sales price in the end. Some would argue that in an existing home for sale the interior finishes, appliances, color scheme, cabinets/counters, plumbing, furnishings, and appointments would be better money spent than an on an extensive exterior remodel.
It depends on the location and each market's own dynamics.
Smaller Bungalow, below: damaged by hurricane, after: additional space and new look
[Below, before and after - Living Room fireplace wall of house at top]
Below: house in planning stage. Builder contacted us to create a more authentic French look - after.
by Florida Luxury Home Architect John Henry https://www.dreamhomedesignusa.com/
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