Imagining a Space

One of the reasons many buyer's "over pay" for a home is because the final product is evident. Its painted the "right" colors, its been staged, the floors have been refinished, the lighting changed to trendy picks, etc. Maybe its even something as simple as a built in window seat. Or maybe its more, like a renovated kitchen that's been opened to the dining area. Whatever it is, the finished product is there for the buyer to see and appreciate.

But for many buyers, especially in today's market, the "finished product" house is out of reach. But many homes have similar bones and, often, would take very little to get to the end-goal.

One of the things I often do with my buyer clients is help them see the final product in the not-quite-ready home. If a similar home was renovated or redecorated and I can send them those listing photos, I'll start there. If I find a similar Pinterest image of a living room or kitchen with paitned cabinets, I'll show those.

But often, the visualization process takes more creativity.

That's when I create a 3D mockup for clients to "walk" them through their potential home. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to even get to see these clients buy the home, make the change and see the after! As a client recently told me "I feel like I'm on Property Brothers!". While in jest, this TV reference does pinpoint the idea that buyers need to see the potential in a property before getting excited about its eventual design.

----

For example, for one client I mocked-up what their 2nd floor master suite could look like when converted on a charming bungalow.

For another client who purchased a 4 bed, 1 bath property, I mocked-up the ability to turn a 3rd floor back bedroom into a master bath and walk-in closet. (And this client actually got to realize this dream!)

Sometimes its just about realizing a place without wallpaper and carpet, like the below furniture mock-ups I did for a client.

Sometimes its an entire home that gets created, showing how rooms might be utilized or expanded, like the below mock-up.

Whatever the need is, seeing the end product (and of course understanding the feasibility and cost) is extremely helpful for many buyers who can't buy their "dream home" today but can create it down the line.

----

Interested in working with me to purchase a home and realize its potential? Reach out via phone, email or text!

Comments

Breaking Down the Commission Headlines and the NAR Settlement

The news right now around real estate is ripe with "The 6% Commission is Dead" or how buying and selling real estate is about to become a whole lot cheaper. Sounds tantalizing, right? Because often news is sensationalism and this one is no different. Did something actually change? Yes, a little. NAR (the National Association of Realtors - the trade organization that makes a real estate agent a 'Realtor' by a separate code of ethics and educational criteria) settled a case that brought about a few, minor changes. 1. It eliminated any requirement that listing brokers or sellers must make offers of compensation to buyers brokers. 2. It prohibits sellers and their agents from making offers of compensation on the MLS and disclosing any compensation and requires the elimination of all compensation fields on the MLS. 3. It requires MLS members working with buyers to enter into written agreements with those buyers. So what changed? Not much....

Neighborhood Spot Light: Media

In the covid and post-covid (are we finally post??) era of suburban boom, many people are finding they are having to settle for less. Less house, less yard, not their ideal school district or commute, less walkability, etc. But one area in the Western Suburbs that seems like a gem for continuing to be affordable (in comparison to the Main Line), walkable, charming and accessible is Media Borough and its surrounding neighborhoods (Rose Valley, Wallingford, and nearby Swarthmore). Image courtesy of Riddle Village Media is another Victorian, suburban hub, among many around greater Philly. A walkable downtown with mid-19th century architecture and a wide variety of restaurants, bars and stores makes it a charming locale. Its one of the few non-Main Line hubs, though, that has several direct rail lines in the city, though, making this a wonderful spot for urban commuters. Its main street (State St) is home to an accessible Trader Joes, several local brewery chains like Bric...

All About Green!

Bright white and moody colors will likely never go out of style but we are seeing more and more mid-tones come back on trend (last time mid-tones were cool were probably around 2000 when Pottery Barn was THE word). One of the ones I am seeing most often is a gray-green. Its a friendly color that pairs well with more modern tones (think the grays, blacks and whites we have been seeing) but warms nicely with wood tones and natural materials. Apparently SW sees this too as their color of the year (and the month of Jan) is Evergreen Fog. Want to see some of the best ways to use it? Loving these cabinets in green! Again, working well hear with both bronze/black and earth tones Love this more traditional-eclectic look. Looks much more saturated in a dark space! But also a great pairing for a mid-century boho look Great combo color - bold but not overly so. Here looking more truly green against the dark blue Whatever your style, this is ...

The Little Realtor

Search This Blog