Making a 2006 Townhome Feel New Again

PROBLEM: This Glenwood Park townhome had an exceptional location and would have attracted buyers even in its existing condition. But some of its original 2006 finishes were beginning to look dated, particularly the dark espresso cabinetry, granite countertops and builder-grade lighting. We believed selling it as-is would leave money on the table.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Rather than undertake an expensive renovation, we recommended a series of targeted cosmetic improvements designed to make the home feel current enough to compete with newer construction nearby. We would repaint throughout in a creamy white, paint the kitchen cabinetry and living-room built-ins Sherwin-Williams Shiitake, replace the dated builder-grade light fixtures, and professionally stage the finished home with modern furniture.

ACTION: We focused the preparation budget on changes that would have the greatest effect on a buyer's first impression. The darker cabinetry and built-ins were painted rather than replaced, allowing us to keep the existing granite countertops while giving the kitchen a much lighter appearance. New lighting replaced the original “boob lights” throughout the home, and fresh paint and contemporary staging completed the transformation.

RESULTS: We listed on January 1, 2024, and were under contract eight days later with a full-price offer. The location was strong enough that we could have sold the townhome without doing all of this work. Our objective was to present it at a level that would allow us to capture top dollar rather than settle for what buyers would pay for a dated version of the same home.

CONCLUSION: Sellers sometimes assume that a desirable location means they don't need to prepare their home for market. A great location can certainly help a property sell, but preparation determines what buyers see when they get there. In this case, relatively straightforward cosmetic improvements allowed us to pair one of Glenwood Park's best assets, its location, with a home that felt fresh enough to command a full-price offer.