Vera and Vasu Vasudevan thought they’d found their dream house in Wheaton 2 1/2 years ago. Then their work schedules changed and they find they have little time to either maintain or enjoy the four-bedroom home near Cantigny Gardens. Because Vera works for a school system, the couple would like to relocate before the fall semester.
Believing their house needs some help in the way of presenting it attractively for market and questioning her interior design talents, Vera turned to Selling Points. “Quite honestly,” she wrote, “I do not have the time, energy or resources to take formal classes and I need some pointers in just what needs to be done for an efficient transition.”
To help the Vasudevans, we asked Pam and Pat Murphy of Keller Williams Realty in Naperville to visit the property. The Murphys paid a visit and came up with a short list of suggestions.
Built about 23 years ago, the home sits on a wooded lot behind a circular drive. The exterior is fir siding; the roof is Dutch Colonial. The interior features a slate foyer; four bedrooms, including a master with full bath and balcony; a powder room; a second full bath; formal living and dining rooms; a family room with fireplace surrounded by a brick wall; and a kitchen with breakfast room and bay window.
As the Vasudevans escorted the brokers through the home, they pointed out the many improvements they have made to the home as well as the ones they intend yet to make. Their already completed projects include remodeled kitchen and baths, new windows, a skylight at the top of the second-floor stairs and a new furnace, air-conditioning system and water heater.
The brokers heartily endorsed the changes.
“You have certainly lightened the house,” said Pam Murphy.
“We could have come here and asked your opinion,” said Pat Murphy.
The other projects the Vasudevans are considering include waxing the slate floor in the foyer, giving the white fireplace wall a coat of enamel, painting the basement floor and replacing some of the landscaping.
Instead of waxing the slate, which will have to be done over and over, the brokers suggested giving it a more permanent glossy finish. Professionals at a paint or tile store will be able to recommend products, they said.
The Murphys liked the idea of painting the fireplace wall to make it stand out more.
“It’s a focal point,” said Pam Murphy.
Her husband said he’d also like the couple to paint all the doors and wood trim with enamel.
The brokers also agreed that the basement floor, which Vera has partly painted bright red, be given a coat of gray. As for the landscaping, they had no complaints.
After discussing the changes the Vasudevans wanted to make, the brokers offered a suggestion of their own–one they felt was more important than any other project:
“I’m going to tell you something you may not want to hear,” Pat Murphy began. “I think you need to stain the outside a different color. You have a beautiful lot here. You should tone down the outside.”
The pale blue exterior will detract buyers, he said.
The Vasudevans expressed surprise.
“We’re talking a major investment,” said Vera.
“I know, but I’d rather you didn’t do as many things on the inside,” said Pat Murphy. “If you didn’t do any painting in here, I could live with that if the outside is attractive. I’d rather see you put your dollars where they’ll have the biggest impact. That’s where I would spend the money in this house. People think they can do the painting on the inside themselves.”
The brokers said they would prefer to see the siding in a beige or sandy color to better harmonize with the neutral-toned roof and the dense landscaping.
Blue and yellow houses don’t sell as well, they said.
“I like it blue,” said Vera.
“I like blue, too,” said Pam Murphy.
“We live with a Midwestern mentality,” said Pat Murphy.
“We’re conservative,” said Pam Murphy.
Because the house was recently stained, the cost won’t be as prohibitive as if it had been neglected for many years, said the Murphys, promising to give the couple several referrals so they can at least get estimates.
“The biggest part will be the price,” said Vera.
Vasu said he thought that the brokers were correct about the color and that they would consider making the change.
“You want to make the house be a part of the lot,” said Pat Murphy. “When people drive buy and your house is on the market, you want to give a real incentive to call.”
