Dear Pat,
We're planning to sell our tidy craftsman-style bungalow this summer. It's a bit of an untouched classic, with lovely oak built-ins and archways, maple floor in the kitchen, a claw foot bathtub sitting on white octagonal floor tiles...you get the idea. Nearly everything is ready for sale, but my husband and I are at loggerheads over what to do about our ugly front door: it's a flat metal monstrosity, with a little peephole for a window and a double deadbolt lock. We talked about replacing it with a decent replica during the whole five years we've been here, and I believe we need to for selling, but my husband doesn't think we'll get the $1000 back in the sale price if we do it now. What do you think?
---I'm thinking wood is right
We're planning to sell our tidy craftsman-style bungalow this summer. It's a bit of an untouched classic, with lovely oak built-ins and archways, maple floor in the kitchen, a claw foot bathtub sitting on white octagonal floor tiles...you get the idea. Nearly everything is ready for sale, but my husband and I are at loggerheads over what to do about our ugly front door: it's a flat metal monstrosity, with a little peephole for a window and a double deadbolt lock. We talked about replacing it with a decent replica during the whole five years we've been here, and I believe we need to for selling, but my husband doesn't think we'll get the $1000 back in the sale price if we do it now. What do you think?
---I'm thinking wood is right
Dear Thinking,
I
think you're thinking right, Thinking. (And I think you should call me
in to do a market analysis right away, before some other lucky agent
lists your house!) From your description, you are the proud owners of a
nearly pristine "grandma's house," a real estate commodity that makes
buyers tremble with excitement, even in these cautious times. But to
maximize your potential on the market, you must finish the job. Find a
craftsman style door in keeping with your other wood features: whether
you have 9-light doors in the buffet, or 4-light, or any other
configuration, you want to bring the front door into harmony with the
rest of the house.
Remember, Thinking, in this case you're selling much more than a roof and four walls. This is your chance to return the home to its rightful craftsman aesthetic--you'll feel good for doing so, a buyer will reward you for doing so, and grateful architectural gods (to whom harmony still matters) will smile down upon you. Let's think real estate and art at the same time: a complete work is always more valuable than an unfinished work.
Remember, Thinking, in this case you're selling much more than a roof and four walls. This is your chance to return the home to its rightful craftsman aesthetic--you'll feel good for doing so, a buyer will reward you for doing so, and grateful architectural gods (to whom harmony still matters) will smile down upon you. Let's think real estate and art at the same time: a complete work is always more valuable than an unfinished work.
I've answered your
specific question, Thinking, but while we're on the subject of craftsman
style I want to take this opportunity to refer readers to my old August
2002 article about replacement windows at www.riverrealty.net. With a
$1500 tax credit available to buyers of energy-efficient windows and
doors from now until the end of 2010, I expect to see lots more
replacement sash in the coming years. I just hope homeowners understand
that they may be de-valuing their properties by choosing cheap white
vinyl sash. Wood replacement windows are energy efficient, stainable,
and come in simulated divided light configurations that suit our older
homes. They're well worth the extra money when it's time to sell.
