Admin

Can a Townhome Without a Bathroom on the Main Level Sell?

By
Home Stager with SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant

Yes.  But, you have to demonstrate its value over its flaws.  Easiest way to do that?  Put a pretty face on it.  Suddently, it bears consideration, and, oh, it has a fantastic location? And it has...? And...? And it's SOLD.  You just have to get it some serious consideration is all.  That's one of the great benefits of Home Staging!

First, someone camping out in it won't help buyers want it.        But, updating lighting and staging will bring out its potential.

  

Hanky on the light to keep from bumping heads and Do Not Touch signs on piano aren't welcoming.  New $90 chandelier and furniture are not only welcoming, but enticing to buyers.  So much so that you don't even realize there's no bath on this level at first.  By the time they do, they will be so comfortable here, it will seem a small inconvenience only, not a deal breaker.

And that jail inspired iron gate actually goes out to a beautiful little deck and garden.

  

Lovely selling feature?  Not yet....                                      That's better!

  

For more pictures, please visit my Washington DC home staging blog on this house just off lush Sligo Creek Pkwy INSIDE the Capital Beltway.

Show All Comments Sort:
Vickie Osoria
Keller Williams Realty - Leland, NC

You made it look so nice that if I still lived in Woodbridge, I'd consider making the purchase!  Great job!

Feb 13, 2010 12:05 AM
Aaron Silverman
SuccessfulRental.com, Bluewater Property Management, LLC and Lowcountry Turnkey Properties, LLC - Charleston, SC
Improving Real Estate Experience through Education

I recommend the seller installs a bathroom if there is space.  From the pictures it appears they do.  They can add a bathroom and utility room with washer / drier hook-ups.  If they already have washer / drier hook-ups, they can convert that area to a closet or pantry.

Aaron

Feb 13, 2010 12:32 AM
Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

When you stage the home and add that WOW and emotional impact.....some buyers will overlook the bathroom and find a way to live in a place they LOVE the look/feel of and worry about the missing bath later.  And someone did just that with this one!!!!

Feb 13, 2010 01:44 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Just removing the "temporary" feel and replacing it with furniture and accessories made a big difference. Not everyone will accept no bathroom on the main level, however your staging at least increases the odds.

Feb 13, 2010 02:37 AM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Vickie:  Thanks!  The sellers loved it, too.

Aaron:  The laundry is on the lower level.  There was absolutely no room or incentive for the sellers to try to add a bath to their deceased Mom's town home since it sold with just the staging.

Kathy B:  Thank you. Yes, someone didn't let it stop them from buying it. That is the point of Staging - Sales, right?

Kathy S:  Thanks.  You only need one buyer, and they got theirs.  That's what counts, results, although I agree with you that there were odds to deal with here.

 

Feb 13, 2010 05:05 AM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Great job Pat! You really made a difference in the appeal of this townhome. And I'm glad to see the link to your blog :o))

Feb 13, 2010 07:39 AM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Michelle:  Thanks.  Yes, the blogging on my new Easy Designer Websites website is going swimmingly.  Thanks for your support.

Feb 13, 2010 08:07 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Amazing what staging can do-fantastic work Patricia!! Your website looks awesome too!

Feb 13, 2010 11:37 AM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

Truly amazing.  Staged and sold.  Who would have ever thought :-)

 

I've sold a few houses with bths only on the upper level.  I thought they were crazy  but they were younger than me and it didn't matter to them.

Feb 13, 2010 12:21 PM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Cathy:  Thanks.  I am so happy with my website.

Virginia:  Yeah, the couple who bought this TH were young, too, and I guess thought nothing of running up and down those stairs.  Not me!

Feb 13, 2010 01:45 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

They probably never noticed the bathroom wasn't down, people get so excited and don't care sometimes.  Love the patio!

Feb 13, 2010 03:33 PM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Cindy:  Thanks.  Truth is I didn't realize there wasn't a bath readily available until I studied the before pics to ready inventory to stage.  The tenant and one of the seller siblings were there, and I guess I got distracted.  And yeah, isn't that a lovely patio that is acutally half under roof, too.  Very useful and now pretty!  It was gruesome back there when I first saw it.

Feb 14, 2010 01:20 AM
Valerie Sagheddu
Apostle Art Home Staging & Design - Stroudsburg, PA
~Home Staging Professional, Poconos, PA

Buyers will compromise on some of the not so great features when they fall in love with the now highlighted positive ones!

Feb 20, 2010 01:20 PM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Valerie:  That is one of the points of Staging, accent the positive, and it works.  Thanks for stopping by.

Feb 20, 2010 11:34 PM
Sue Wettstein Brazzel & Dipper Wettstein
Howard County, MD - RE/MAX 100 - Columbia MD - Columbia, MD
"Fast, Efficient, Hassle-Free Service!"

Patricia,

Amazing the difference you made in that space!  Even the updated $90 chandelier was a great touch!  Great job.

Feb 21, 2010 10:10 PM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Sue:  Thanks! And thanks so much for stopping by.  Isn't it amazing what a difference simply updating the lighting makes, and it's so inexpensive to do, that and painting of course.  BTW, I did mean it about calling me.  Please do. 

Feb 22, 2010 02:35 AM