This was a fun project in that I was able to put on my project management hat to help prep this house for market. My clients (and friends) moved away from Oregon to the east coast a few years ago and their first-ever home in Portsmouth became a rental property. When they decided last year to consolidate and sell this home, they reached out to me to assist.
There was a lot of work that was needed to bring it to market looking its best. I evaluated the home with them through several video meetings and offered a list of suggested upgrades and improvements that would help maximize its resale value. We started the rehab process in early December, and we finally finished that process at the end of February, just in time for our early March listing date goal.
The scope of work included all new interior paint, new flooring throughout the home, new first-floor light fixtures, and new countertops in the kitchen. I worked with trusted industry professionals to provide my clients various finish options and price points, and they trusted me to make the final decisions.
Other work included roof cleaning, furnace servicing, front door paint, exterior powerwash of the house and concrete, exterior window cleaning, landscaping, and a deep interior clean. These are the less sexy items, but really do make a huge difference in how the house is received, and perceived, by potential homebuyers. (Of course, we had it professionally staged and photographed as the key finishing touches.)
In the end, the goal is to get as many eyes on the house and people inside to get a feel for the home and encourage as many offers as possible. We went pending in just four days and sold above the listing price, which was already above our original goal from December. And my clients never had to set foot in Oregon.
I love the trust and teamwork that I develop with my clients and, as Hannibal Smith of A-Team fame always said, “I love it when a plan comes together!”
