When Rebecca Tung and David Skogley put their home on the market a year and a half ago they didn’t plan on selling quite so fast. They had little time to find another dwelling for themselves and didn’t like most of what they saw.
Hurriedly, they bought a contemporary split level in Skokie. Within a few months they realized their decision was a mistake. Now they’d like to move again but they fear the transaction costs will put them in the red.
“I think our case illustrates well the risk of rushing in to buy a home without thorough research,” said Rebecca.
Initially they liked the secluded nature of their street and the forest preserve across the street. They also had renovation ideas, including a skylight and a new bathroom. But as a two-career couple, they don’t have the time to put into these projects.
Another problem is the proximity of the Edens Expressway-located just one block away. David doesn’t hear the noise and neither do their friends, but Rebecca is quite sensitive to it. “I have music on all the time when I’m home,” she said.
Within the next year, they would like to move to a town home. Rebecca asked Frank and Cathy McCabe of Prudential Preferred Properties in Evanston how to maximize their selling price in light of the short time they have owned the property.
Lofty ceiling
Built in the 1950s, the brick and stone home features three levels of living space. The entry level has a combination living/dining room with vaulted ceiling and large kitchen. The kitchen and foyer floors are gray and white granite. The lower level has a full bath, a family room, a laundry room and another room that could easily be used for a bedroom. On the upper level are three bedrooms, a full bath and an office.
Spanning the entire back of the home is a spacious Florida room, with access from the upper and lower levels and the back yard. The house also has a one-car detached garage.
One improvement Rebecca and David have made was to add a wall cabinet in the kitchen for more storage space. They considered putting in an island and re-facing the rest of the cabinets. The new cabinet is white; the older ones are dark wood.
“You might consider having the (older) cabinets painted white,” said Cathy McCabe.
“What about re-facing them?” asked Rebecca.
“That would cost a lot more and you wouldn’t get your money back,” said Frank McCabe. He pointed out that almond would be another good color choice because it would match the appliances. To further brighten the kitchen, the McCabes suggested painting the wall of brick veneer white and changing the orange curtain.
As far as putting in an island, the sales agents said the home is likely to appeal to someone with a family and that buyer probably would value space for a dining set more than an island.
The lower level bath is another area where Rebecca and David have thought of putting in some work. They would like to rip out the pink tile and start over.
Frank McCabe said that is unnecessary. “The tile is not cracked. It’s good and solid,” he said. “I wouldn’t waste any money on it.” Cathy McCabe suggested painting the ceiling white; it’s now papered with a mini-floral print. At the very least, they should leave on the lights in that bathroom during showings of the house.
Floor woes
The extra-large laundry room features storage cabinets, a wall of shelves and a worn dark green vinyl floor. Frank McCabe’s first suggestion was to give the floor a vigorous cleaning and waxing to remove paint spots and water stains.
Rebecca said she has tried, unsuccessfully, to do just that. Frank McCabe then advised her to put new flooring over the old. Cathy McCabe agreed.
The previous owner left the drapery hardware in the living/dining room. Rebecca and David bought blinds but left up the rods, thinking the next owner might want to use them. In the McCabes’ opinion, the rods detract from the decor. Because of the contemporary design of the home, “it’s not likely someone will put up draperies,” said Frank McCabe. “I’d take them down.”
About seven months a year, Rebecca and David use the Florida room for entertaining and relaxing. The space is impressive, said Cathy McCabe, but could be made to appear more inviting. Before presenting the space to potential buyers, she would like to see the furniture arranged into conversation areas and accented with real or silk plants. An inexpensive cardboard table topped with a long tablecloth would be another homey touch, she added.
“The things I was thinking of would definitely cost a lot more,” said Rebecca. “You’ve given me a lot of ideas that would make the place look more attractive without costing an arm and a leg.”
