A job transfer will be taking Susan and Troy Ralston to the Seattle area early next year. They welcome the lengthy notice. It gives them time to ready their home in hopes of getting a good price for it.
“We’re constantly doing things to this house,” Susan said of their turn-of-the-century Victorian in Edgewater Glen. “We want to make sure we get the most value for what we put in it.”
They also were wondering how much more work they should do before they sell.
After Susan wrote to Selling Points asking for advice, we put the couple in touch with David DiCorpo of Coldwell Banker Kahn Realty in Lincoln Park. The broker recently visited the home, answered their questions and made several suggestions.
Turret and 2 porches
The Ralstons bought the home three years ago from the family of the original owners. The interior features three bedrooms plus a tandem, one bath, formal living and dining rooms and a kitchen. Hardwood floors flow throughout. The home also has a turret, front and back porches, a detached garage, a basement and an attic.
The home required much modernizing when Susan and Troy moved in. They have since had it wrapped in siding, refinished the floors, painted every room and upgraded the bathroom and electrical system.
DiCorpo praised their efforts so far. They have done many of the things most buyers will look for, he said.
One improvement he strongly recommended the Ralstons now make is to have a new roof put on the home. The present roof’s appearance will deter potential buyers, who will greatly overestimate the replacement price, he said. A new roof with a warranty and the old layers torn off will be a great selling feature, DiCorpo added.
The trio then discussed colors of shingles and decided that gray, which will harmonize well with the light slate blue siding, was the best choice.
“I see a lot of black being done but it’ll make your attic very hot and difficult to cool,” DiCorpo said.
To get the best price on the roofing, the broker advised having the job done during the winter, when contractors are least busy.
“In January, when no one has any work and you can find three or five days of good weather, roofers would love to have your business,” he said.
Other than the roof, DiCorpo told the Ralstons not to take on any large projects that might not be what the next owners would like. For example, the tandem room adjacent to the master bedroom could become a nursery, master bath or a walk-in closet, as the Ralstons have appointed it.
For the same reason, the couple shoulyd not convert the kitchen pantry into a half bath, a project they’ve considered.
Someone else will probably rehab the kitchen, so converting that space now will limit their possibilities, the broker said.
“Everyone, even if all they do is order out, wants a nice kitchen,” he added.
The Ralstons would like a nice kitchen, too, but they have gotten only so far as painting it blue and pink. DiCorpo advised changing the color to white.
“I was in favor of keeping it very neutral because we weren’t going to be here that long,” Troy said.
“It’s a small, dark kitchen,” DiCorpo replied. “White will blow it open.”
Susan asked if he thought they could paint the wainscoting a contrasting color.
“Yes, but not blue,” the color it is now, he said.
Light work
The broker also suggested replacing two small, dated light fixtures that have pull strings. One is in the hallway between the foyer and the kitchen and the other is in the pantry. The job could be done inexpensively, he said.
The hardwood floors and trim are in excellent condition except for the stairs to the second story. A runner, which the Ralstons removed, covered scratches and spots of wear.
“How handy are you with a sander?” DiCorpo asked Troy.
“I probably shouldn’t do it,” he answered.
The broker said he’d like to see either the stairs refinished or a new runner laid over them.
Overall, the home is in fine shape and should appeal to a wide range of buyers, DiCorpo said. “You have a great blank slate. It’s great for someone to move in either as is or for someone who wants to reconfigure the space to their style.”
