One of the things I am trying to be more intentional about is capturing photos and video of spaces well before we start the demolition. With the Harriet House we were able to capture video the week we bought the house. In comparison to the after photos, this will give a ringside seat to all the goodness that has happened.
When it comes to potential in a house there are a few key items I am always on the lookout for. These are truly areas of opportunity where there is the ability to create equity in a house. For this project those areas included the kitchen, upper level and lower level. Here’s a few details on each:
1. Kitchen
The kitchen was separated from the dining room and living room. When there is a wall that divides the spaces it cuts off the visual flow from front to back of the house which can make it feel smaller. Opening the wall and installing an entirely new kitchen space was a dramatic change for this home.
2. The Upper Level
The upper level had three small bedrooms and a bathroom with only a sink and toilet. When you are laying out spaces if there is no master suite than improving the layout of this upper level area provided all the room plus some for a master bedroom, bathroom and seating area.
3. The Lower Level
The lower level was unfinished and had great ceiling height. This made it the perfect opportunity to add 900+ finished square feet including a fourth bedroom and third bathroom.
When completed, this house was just over 2600 finished square feet. It’s one of the larger homes in the neighborhood. In designing homes at this size and price point, there are a few extras that I look to include to make the house a standout. In this house, those upgrades included converting the three season porch to a four season mudroom, adding a bar area to the master suite and installing custom wood and metal shelving in the kitchen and metal railings in the upper level. Not only are these unique elements to the project but they are modern characteristics added to create an ease of living in a craftsman bungalow home that was originally built in 1921.
One more characteristic that this house had that I include on my list when looking for potential in houses is the location. This house is in a desirable neighborhood where there is low inventory. With nearby lakes, restaurants and easy commuting options, it was a fit for all types of home buyers from first time homeowners to empty nesters. This house was truly a check off all the boxes type home.
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Amber
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