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carlosdiaz

Feed Back from Realtors

My wife, Kathie (ASID Designer) and I (Retired Contractor) designed and remodeled this Lofts Condo at The Loft at Mills Mill Greenville, SC. (1894 Cotton Mill) and wanted to project a feeling of upscale design in this 120 year old historically registered building. .. Upon listing, we have heard "It's too fancy" more than one time What should we do, if anything? Wait for the right buyer to come along? any input will be greatly appreciated.

Comments (18)

  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Don't do anything, it adds character and it relates a statement of workmanship and quality, if anything take some of that stuff off the shelves.
    In most cases people will appreciate that, if they don't like it, they will remove it and people who cannot afford they always have something negative to say so don't listen to them... not to mention that one wall can sell your whole house, seen it happen.

    Good luck
    B and C Construction thanked GN Builders L.L.C
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Thank you for you critique, this is what we need to hear, Its hard to stand back and see what others see.... again thanks ...
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    It looks like you are living there and still have all your stuff on display. And it is fancy stuff (much of which is really intriguing). And there is a lot of it. Not everyone can deal with the contrast of industrial coffee tables and ironwork scrolly sconces. I suggest you remove 75% of the decorative things, from candelabra to ceramic heads. Remove the wrought iron gates, too. You are selling the house, not showing off your wonderful collection.

    I would look online for competing properties. Take photos that match each MLS photo of an attractive, simple place that is similar in price or 10% higher. Compare to yours. Do what they do.

    A stager who works with the best agent in town will be worth the consultation fee.
  • 12 years ago
    I looked at your pictures, then looked away and tried to think about what I could recall about the house. It wasn't any features of the home, but rather the plant things next to the fireplace, the iron scroll sconces and area rugs. This probably isn't what you want a buyer to remember either. I agree with apple pie, 75-90% of the decorative things need to go so the product you are selling (the house, not the stuff!) can shine.
  • 12 years ago
    Looking at current styling tastes here on Houzz, I think you can see that your place is different from what many folks might be looking for. Clearly you have made thoughtful choices but when it comes time to sell…it's certainly nice to be trying to sell a place that meshes with current tastes amongst buyers. From my perspective, Cancork is also correct about too much "stuff" that reflects your personal tastes (Critter on the wall with plant, display plates, scroll candleholders on fireplace wall, hanging planters.. etc.) The space looks interesting, but yes too fancy for my personal tastes. Even if I loved the space of your condo, I would anguish about changing things that you have done because there is nothing wrong with them…. just not the cleaner simpler look that I would want.
    I would probably try to simplify the styling of "stuff", and perhaps you will be fortunate and find the right buyer for whom your condo is just right.
  • 12 years ago
    If you are selling, need to follow first rule about depersonalizing. Take down 90 percent off shelves, plants and art away from fireplace. Make it a clean slate for the buyers to mentally place their belongings.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    The photos of the model that are online already are pretty good indicators of what makes the lofts sell. Take your photos from the same vantage point. http://www.theloftsofgreenville.com/index.cfm?action=gallery

    The decorator who did the model was very fond of sticks in vases, I see.
    B and C Construction thanked apple_pie_order
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    LOL the Decorator is my wife (ASID) .. She owned her own business for 40 years in Florida and we moved when we both retired. Since Lofts and these old buildings are the rage across the country like Richmond Va. (old tobacco factories) Tampa Fl. (old Cigar plants) Raleigh NC, Lancaster Pa. New York City etc. we decided to take one on with a little flair. I am so glad for all the comments and we are making changes. The link you sent me was great, only thing is no two units are the same and all 104 have been sold for many years. Thanks to all.
  • 12 years ago
    Perfect! She'll know exactly how to start over in your current place with a clean slate. If the current buyer demographic is going to skew toward 30 year olds, she can keep that in mind. If it's 55-up, she'll have a different vibe in mind.
    B and C Construction thanked apple_pie_order
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I have to admit I wanted this to be more a Man Cave than a Feminine look but as things are being pointed out I see her influence took my fire ... lol She says its time to get to work and sell this place so we can do another one. Demographics in our area is definitely skewed to a younger market thanks for you input.
  • 12 years ago
    As a favor, would you please ask your wife which shelter magazines are geared toward 30-35 year olds? Friends are selling their $1M house in the fall; their buyer demographic is young families buying into a first rate school district.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    She said you would get a better answer from a Realtor in the particular area you are wanting to sell within. A good place to start on Digital Selling would be www.realtor.org/sites/default/files/Study-Digital-House-Hunt-2013-01_1.pdf hope this helps.
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks, B and C. Interesting article.
  • 12 years ago
    Carlos...
    Thanks for the comment on Houzz. You and your wife are in the real world as I can see
    and renovating quite nicely...
    I like that sliding "firedoor", industrial always has potential.
    Greg [gpart1234], pavelldesign@yahoo.com
  • 12 years ago
    I agree with apple_pie, you need to neutralize the decor. It is far too personal. I would go as far as to paint out the green in the kitchen with something more neutral. I would paint all the kitchen cabinets the white to reduce the contrast. I think you can calm things down with neutrals such as grays and whites.
  • 12 years ago
    well, yes, you did go a bit overboard with the fireplace, the mantle and all those corbels, but I like the iron gates. Just remove the plants from the mantle, much of your collections, and wait for the right buyer. As realtors say- you only need one! It may be fancy, but it's pretty cool!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Chung Wong ... thanks for you help, we wanted the Kitchen to become part of that huge Great Room so we blended it with the surroundings, This place has 16 ft ceilings that's why we chose the hanging cornices and crown moldings to bring it back in proportion and lower the ceilings, when your in the space it works really well.