If you want efficient, build something new... Please?
I'm more or less with you, except this part. There is a lot you can do to make a house more efficient which will not destroy its charm. New windows and insulation at a minimum.
The main thing is that nothing about the house should be too out of proportion. Don't like the 1940's era 80 sqr ft kitchen, then it's fine to renovate that, but don't replace it with a kitchen consuming 1/3rd of the total square footage of the house.
I think what you are saying here is spot on, providing it is done properly.
Aesthetically speaking, white vinyl double pane low E's will NEVER look like the leaded glass windows in my current home. I have storm windows installed on the inside to help with thermal loss, but that's where it stops for me. Because to pull the leaded windows on a 1929 Tudor will only destroy part of what drew me to the house in the first place.
As far as insulation, yes, I agree that adding insulation into my attic space will help me next winter. Thankfully, I live in a house that is constructed of brick on the entire first and second story with half timbering in the attic peaks so I haven't seen any shocking natural gas bills yet. But then, I am also on steam heat (Trane Vapor System, it's in the walls and it's a CONVECTOR system, not a cast iron radiator system, which means much less time to heat up the house).
Having bailed on Seattle at the top of the bubble, I am quite content to cope with the potential for higher energy costs in exchange for a huge cost of living decrease and free money in the bank.
This 1974 split-level is seriously not much to look at from the outside, but 5 of the 15 photos feature close-ups of new appliances, ostentatious finishings, and the obligatory granite. So there you go.
This 1974 split-level is seriously not much to look at from the outside, but 5 of the 15 photos feature close-ups of new appliances, ostentatious finishings, and the obligatory granite. So there you go.
I thought it was pretty funny that they didn't bother putting in a gigantic stainless fridge in the lower unit, or a stainless kegerator for that matter. Decent setup, though.
Pet peeve: "an historic" is something snooty British people on the history channel say.
Pet peeve #2: Anything built in 1974 is not historic.
The number one thing was pricing it right. I studied the comps for my segment and neighborhood very closely, and it was apparent that nothing was moving that was priced too high. My agent was even more pessimistic, but I thought we'd try the top-end of what things were selling (not listing) for for a couple of weeks, and be prepared to slash if necessary. Prompted multiple offers, waived inspection. Escalator clause. If the house is priced right, it's still selling. If you let it get stale, then try to lower it, it is often too late. The house garners a stigma. "Why hasn't anybody else wanted this house..., what's wrong with it?"
That and getting it in impeccable condition with new bamboo floors and painting it. We attracted 2 down-sizers, which was key.
All the first-timers who were interested hadn't qualified for a loan. Yet?
Sadly, that's pretty darn close to what he's really thinking.
Really nice guy, gave me lots of help and advice on my floors and siding, and I wish him well. I really do wish there was something I could do for him so that he gets the return he thinks he should, short of watching my house sit on the market all summer. But I'm afraid trying to cover an 840 sqft house w/o a driveway in granite and steel will not make it any bigger or more accessible.
My guess is that it will sit for a long, long time.
Of course I thought I would have trouble selling my place, and as of yesterday I'm officially homeless. Yay! Got while the the gittin' was good.
Congrats, Bili! and the rest of you doubted those of us "in the trenches" that good houses were going very quickly and in multi-bid situations. Biliruben has now experienced it first hand.
You're welcome! Don't do what the sellers did to us (we just took possession last week). They were so nasty to us -- negotiations were very contentious -- and we figure it all boiled down to us getting the house for less than asking. Last week when they left, they took a few trees out of the yard and the bathroom mirrors with them, as well as topped off the recycle bin with garbage from their kitchen. Yeah, we're drafting a letter on hubby's firm's letterhead. fun fun fun!
No. This is a very nice couple, they paid over list, and we wouldn't do anything like that in any case. Our biggest debate is whether we leave a framed picture of the house 60 years ago that we got from the KC archives, or keep it for us to remember the house by.
Casting for a fool. Somebody still thinks the bubble is still alive in Normandy Park. There's a Tudor that listed for almost 3 mil. a few house from this one. I emailed the realtor and said the price was crazy, they dropped it 300K the next day. LOL.
Got another one for this thread: 145 NW 76th St, 98117
Last sale: Aug 01, 2005 - $315,000
Asking: $800,000
46 days on the market (and counting).
Tick tock, tick tock...
Oh hey guys, S.R. dropped the price $11k on this place yesterday (day 51 on the market). You had better act fast or this one will slip out from under you.
Casting for a fool. Somebody still thinks the bubble is still alive in Normandy Park. There's a Tudor that listed for almost 3 mil. a few house from this one. I emailed the realtor and said the price was crazy, they dropped it 300K the next day. LOL.
:shock:
$700k higher than the "high" Zillow estimate! :roll:
Remember this posted by Faster - June 2007 Well it's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! No one took the "permit offer" so they did it the remodel and jacked the price up 630K! (They just took the house off the MLS tonight, probably to reprice.)
$1,195,000
13419 NE 27th St
Bellevue, WA 98005
Changed MLS
Bought: 01/12/2006 $825,000
What do you get for your $370,000? A "contemporary fixer" with "permits [that] are almost ready for the major remodel" and the house has been "cleared inside for the construction". Do I read this right? They're asking $370k profit for a set of plans/permits and a gutted house? If so, what a bargain!
Well, it certainly would be nice for the owners if they could realize their wished-for profit of 55% in about five months. The interiors and especially the kitchen look less crappy and cookie cutter than one has grown accustomed to seeing, but still. Also, an unfortunate lack of street appeal going on here.
Well, it certainly would be nice for the owners if they could realize their wished-for profit of 55% in about five months. The interiors and especially the kitchen look less crappy and cookie cutter than one has grown accustomed to seeing, but still. Also, an unfortunate lack of street appeal going on here.
I like it. I'm not sure about its value, since I'm not focused on that area, but it looks nice in the pix. I like the street appeal too; not for everyone though. I think it would sell for that price in a flash anywhere in Bellevue. I'd like to see "before" pix.
Comments
I'm more or less with you, except this part. There is a lot you can do to make a house more efficient which will not destroy its charm. New windows and insulation at a minimum.
The main thing is that nothing about the house should be too out of proportion. Don't like the 1940's era 80 sqr ft kitchen, then it's fine to renovate that, but don't replace it with a kitchen consuming 1/3rd of the total square footage of the house.
I think what you are saying here is spot on, providing it is done properly.
Aesthetically speaking, white vinyl double pane low E's will NEVER look like the leaded glass windows in my current home. I have storm windows installed on the inside to help with thermal loss, but that's where it stops for me. Because to pull the leaded windows on a 1929 Tudor will only destroy part of what drew me to the house in the first place.
As far as insulation, yes, I agree that adding insulation into my attic space will help me next winter. Thankfully, I live in a house that is constructed of brick on the entire first and second story with half timbering in the attic peaks so I haven't seen any shocking natural gas bills yet. But then, I am also on steam heat (Trane Vapor System, it's in the walls and it's a CONVECTOR system, not a cast iron radiator system, which means much less time to heat up the house).
Having bailed on Seattle at the top of the bubble, I am quite content to cope with the potential for higher energy costs in exchange for a huge cost of living decrease and free money in the bank.
But I understand that's not for everyone.
This 1974 split-level is seriously not much to look at from the outside, but 5 of the 15 photos feature close-ups of new appliances, ostentatious finishings, and the obligatory granite. So there you go.
I thought it was pretty funny that they didn't bother putting in a gigantic stainless fridge in the lower unit, or a stainless kegerator for that matter. Decent setup, though.
Pet peeve: "an historic" is something snooty British people on the history channel say.
Pet peeve #2: Anything built in 1974 is not historic.
SOLD!
The mother of all flips has returned to roost. The first house posted to this thread goes back on the market with a new deck and a new price:
Sold for 625K in 2006
Sold for 795K in 2007 (after listing at 840K)
Today it went on the market for the nice round figure of 867K!
http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1676580
Any guesses if it will sell, and if so, what for?
http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1629739
But wait! The house now features DESIGNER PAINT.
Some of the new Queen Anne condo buildings have a lot of units available. For some price-per-square-foot hilarity, have a look sometime.
Yes, it'll sell, and for 775,000 dollars, and maybe not in the next few months.
Of course I thought I would have trouble selling my place, and as of yesterday I'm officially homeless. Yay! Got while the the gittin' was good.
The number one thing was pricing it right. I studied the comps for my segment and neighborhood very closely, and it was apparent that nothing was moving that was priced too high. My agent was even more pessimistic, but I thought we'd try the top-end of what things were selling (not listing) for for a couple of weeks, and be prepared to slash if necessary. Prompted multiple offers, waived inspection. Escalator clause. If the house is priced right, it's still selling. If you let it get stale, then try to lower it, it is often too late. The house garners a stigma. "Why hasn't anybody else wanted this house..., what's wrong with it?"
That and getting it in impeccable condition with new bamboo floors and painting it. We attracted 2 down-sizers, which was key.
All the first-timers who were interested hadn't qualified for a loan. Yet?
The flipper next-door is no longer speaking to me.
He implored me to list 30-40K over where we did. Now he's going to have rethink his price-points.
Why would he speak to you? You took money out of his pocket! Food from his babies!
Congrats on the quick sale.
Sadly, that's pretty darn close to what he's really thinking.
Really nice guy, gave me lots of help and advice on my floors and siding, and I wish him well. I really do wish there was something I could do for him so that he gets the return he thinks he should, short of watching my house sit on the market all summer. But I'm afraid trying to cover an 840 sqft house w/o a driveway in granite and steel will not make it any bigger or more accessible.
This flipper or less-than-brainy homebuyer is sweatin'.
Congrats, Bili! and the rest of you doubted those of us "in the trenches" that good houses were going very quickly and in multi-bid situations. Biliruben has now experienced it first hand.
My Agent was shocked. She had recommended I start 5% lower.
In fact, her whole office was shocked.
-jess/pumpkin
No. This is a very nice couple, they paid over list, and we wouldn't do anything like that in any case. Our biggest debate is whether we leave a framed picture of the house 60 years ago that we got from the KC archives, or keep it for us to remember the house by.
Tick tock, tick tock...
http://www.redfin.com/WA/Normandy-Park/ ... ome/335044
Casting for a fool. Somebody still thinks the bubble is still alive in Normandy Park. There's a Tudor that listed for almost 3 mil. a few house from this one. I emailed the realtor and said the price was crazy, they dropped it 300K the next day. LOL.
:shock:
$700k higher than the "high" Zillow estimate! :roll:
$1,195,000
13419 NE 27th St
Bellevue, WA 98005
Changed MLS
Bought: 01/12/2006 $825,000
What do you get for your $370,000? A "contemporary fixer" with "permits [that] are almost ready for the major remodel" and the house has been "cleared inside for the construction". Do I read this right? They're asking $370k profit for a set of plans/permits and a gutted house? If so, what a bargain!
http://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/3514-S ... ome/469129