Vintage homes hold strong appeal for home buyers throughout the metropolitan D.C. area. The charm, the architectural details, and the individual character of vintage homes resonate strongly with buyers who enjoy a sense of history and continuity. In some areas of the country, vintage homes are becoming a market niche of their own!
Practical Advice for the Vintage Chevy Chase/Bestheda Home Seller
It can also be harder to sell a vintage home in certain situations, depending on the price competition and what amenities are in comparison.
Some vintage homes in Chevy Chase and Bethesda have been so extensively remodeled that they bear few of the trademarks of their construction era. Still, there can be quite a “wow” factor when a vintage home is remodeled with contemporary decor, such as this beautiful listing in Barnaby Woods.
In short, there are no hard and fast rules about how to renovate a vintage D.C. Metro home, unless you are dealing with a property that has historic designation. In many cases a full-fledged restoration is not necessary to attract a home buyer, as your vintage home may have one feature that is already impossible to duplicate: location!
With that in mind, here are some guidelines that can help you prepare your vintage Chevy Chase home for sale:
1. Home buyers will always be concerned about the big-ticket items. If you are going to make any renovations to your vintage home, start with being sure that the roof, the foundation, the electrical system and the furnace are in good condition.
2. Don’t renovate so much that charming distinctions are lost. Some buyers are hoping to find original features, such as wood trim, intact and unpainted. A solid vintage home in good condition could make a buyer perfectly happy, without the bells and whistles.
3. Don’t over-spend. You may not be able to recover the full cost of your renovations. It may be better to sell the home as-is; home renovators are always on the lookout for properties they can refurbish.
4. Things like cracked plaster walls, squeaky wood floors, and old, drafty windows can be inexpensively repaired in many instances! Home restoration contractors who are familiar with vintage properties can address these issues. There’s an article in CNN Money that shares the basic methods. These are great ways to accomplish improvements while keeping your vintage home authentic.
Obtain the Market Value of Your Vintage DC Area Home!
If you are thinking of selling your vintage home, it’s a good idea to have a comparative market analysis performed before you make any major upgrades. By knowing your home’s potential price range as-is, and understanding what you are likely to net at closing, you can then decide if renovations are necessary – and what sort of return you can expect on the dollar.
Contact me today to prepare for a successful home sale! I will share the the recent home sales data for your neighborhood, and provide the reliable, professional guidance you can trust.
Melinda Estridge
The Estridge Group-Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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