Newton Victorian
Inspires a Bidding War
Problem: The 1,800-square-feet,
150-year-old Newton Mansard Victorian was loaded with charm, generally
well-maintained, but it had some issues that needed to be addressed. The wide
plank pine floors, which were original to the home, were splitting. A parquet
floor in the entryway looked dated and shag carpeting masked the front
stairway’s period appeal.
The family was able to move out for a couple of weeks, so we
had free and easy access to the house and this was especially helpful because
of all the pandemic precautions we took.
Solution: We got
quotes for fixing the pine floors vs. replacing them. New oak flooring would be about the same
price as repairing them, so I advised my clients to go for the oak. We removed
the shag carpeting and painted the stairs, which made them dazzle. We also did
some light staging with new bedding, accent pillows, bedroom lamps, and
sumptuous towels. We created a more
welcoming entrance by placing a rocking chair and mums on the front porch. The
upgrades cost about $7,000.
We also marketed the property to the hilt, including
creating a 12-page booklet that provided lots of helpful information about the
property and the neighborhood, including what attracted the owners to the home
in the first place.
Results: Can you
say "$100,000 over asking?” Yes indeed.
In consultation with the owners, we listed the home at $799,900. The price was
conservative in deference to the time of year, but we also wanted to generate a
lot of excitement and the decision paid off. We got seven bids. The winner paid
$900,000 and I have two very happy clients.
All in a Day’s Work: Solving Real-Life, Real Estate Problems for our
Clients is a regular feature brought
to you by Marie Presti of The Presti Group. Our agents specialize in luxury
homes, rehabilitations, multi-families and condominiums in urban, suburban and
exurban areas throughout the Greater Boston area. Marie Presti is a Certified
Negotiation Expert. Reach out at [email protected] to find out how "We go the extra block.”