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The Little Black Dress and Real Estate

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

The Little Black Dress and Real Estate

LBDThere appears to be a direct correlation between the Little Black Dress and Real Estate. You may think this is about Realtor® dress codes, but that's not the case. Instead, this is about good design and the ability to maintain popularity through the comings and goings of trends.

The LBD is a fashion staple. Honestly, most women would be lost without this one item hanging in their closet. It is simply the "go to" outfit for many occasions. And, much like its wearers, the Little Black Dress comes in a variety of styles.

Short and sexy, flouncy and sassy, or simple and elegant. Regardless, it must be designed with uncomplicated and clean lines.  Since the LBD is meant to be a fashion staple for many years, it makes sense that its basic style has to be a classic.

A short black dress that is obviously part of trend will appear dated rather quickly. Therefore, by definition, it really doesn't qualify as the quintessential LBD. The perfect example of this Coco Channel design can be dressed up or down - a jacket and flats for daytime, heels and more ornate jewelry at night.

How the Little Black Dress Relates to Real Estate

In summary, at its finest, the LBD represents good taste and timeless design. Which leads me (finally) to houses. The most popular style of homes, to the majority of buyers, are comprised of clean lines and classic design principles. Sound familiar?

Classic home designs certainly vary by region, but one thing remains the same, their desirability to buyers. Consider the Cape Cods in Massachusetts, Victorians, aka Painted Ladies in San Francisco, and the Colonials in the South - all beautiful and classic homes, and still very much in vogue.

If you're considering the purchase of a new home, try to visualize how it will look ten years from now. Does it have the necessary bones to become a timeless classic? The same principles should apply to the interior design as well. If it's trendy, it's not going to withstand the test of time.  Make sure your next house is a Little Black Dress in the local Real Estate market.

If you need help locating your LBD in Clark County, WA, I'd love to be your guide.

 Get started here:

Homes for Sale in Vancouver, WA

Homes for Sale in Camas, WA

Homes for Sale in Washougal, WA

Homes for Sale in Ridgefield, WA

 

Here are a few other examples of LBDs in Real Estate:

Craftsman - Bungalows

Tudors - English Country

Prairie House - Frank Lloyd Wright

Desert Modernism

Northwest Lodge Style

 

LBD

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments(27)

Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Debb - I don't think I'm the target demographic for this post - but I enjoyed it anyhow. Have a great weekend!

Aug 17, 2012 05:46 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Debb-I always knew you were one smart lady. I love the analogy. Suggested.

Aug 17, 2012 05:51 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Q-man. :) I like keeping you guessing - at least for a little while. Thanks for the suggest.

Anita, I appreciate the ingenious remark. ;)  And, I 'll bet you do have some LBDs in that closet of yours you classy Southern belle.

Mary Elizabeth - thanks for your genius remark. Ha. Audrey is the perfect fashion guide. Totally agree.

Aug 17, 2012 05:58 AM
Kerrie La Guardia
ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA
Let it Rain!

I have a fancy party tonight and was just searching my closet last night in panic while repeating "I have nothing to wear"...but then, alas, my LBD slid across my fingers.  Hallelujah!

Aug 17, 2012 06:50 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Dick, Oh no, NOT another GIRL post! Lol. Glad you enjoyed it anyway.

Aug 17, 2012 07:13 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Aw, thanks Sharon. You are too sweet.


Kerrie, have fun and you will look beautiful - not sure you could look any other way...:)

Aug 17, 2012 08:01 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Isn't that the truth. The "Classic" home is always in style while the wild ones can become a "hard sell" Love your analogy, excellently stated

Aug 17, 2012 10:12 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Debb, Such an enjoyable read with a good message.

Aug 17, 2012 11:08 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Debb, this was a great post and analogy!  Every woman should have an LBD.

Aug 17, 2012 11:43 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Suggested! Now, you just need to consult with Roger Mucci for the accessories to that perfect LBD! ☺

Aug 17, 2012 01:19 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Debb~you say it so well, with simple clean "lines" and "classic" attitudes. Beautifully written, my dear.

Gotta love the LBD. I have several and I'm sure you do, too.

Aug 17, 2012 01:39 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Debb - You are so right.  Your house has to be timeless and you need to think about the potential of resale for later - whether that is 10 or 20 or 30 yrs from now.

Aug 17, 2012 07:17 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Debb, so true if home buyers building newer homes would just think about when they go to sell & how it will appeal to others...alas...sometimes that LBD in real estate is not to be found anywhere..

Aug 17, 2012 09:43 PM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

Hi Debb-CLEVER, and righfully featured! People buy clothes and get dressed a lot more often they they shop for, or buy houses, so a good and helpful analogy.

Aug 17, 2012 11:59 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Debb~ Nice analogy.  I don't have a LBD.  Hmmm...maybe I need to get one.

Aug 18, 2012 03:40 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, such a classy blog about a LBD, that you wear well!    This does run parrallel to our industry and great analogy!

Aug 18, 2012 10:59 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thanks Bobbie, hope you're having a great weekend in the Poconos. :)

Glad you enjoyed it Debbie.

Aug 19, 2012 01:36 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Very clever analogy, Debb. I've fallen prey to the trendy LBD and, while I loved it while it lasted, regretted letting it go. A friend of mine feels the same about her purple velvet couch.

Aug 19, 2012 06:52 AM
Linda Holloway
Keller Williams Realty Tampa Central - Tampa, FL
REALTOR®, Your Next Home in Tampa Bay Starts Here!

Hi Debb, What a great blogpost and analogy!  Classic LBDs stand the test of time as do classic homes.  

Aug 24, 2012 04:36 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Jean Marie, well you admit it, that's good. I'm not sure about your friend's couch. :)

Hi Linda, they do, they do.

 

Aug 27, 2012 12:40 AM