By Kim Parmon, June 4, 2021
When I sat down with Katy and Jon to discuss what they wanted in their next house, they said “we really don’t want a project.” I was sitting in the dining room of their current house at the time and took a minute to look around. They had meticulously renovated the small kitchen to make it beautiful and functional. They had personally installed bamboo flooring in the primary bedroom. Every lighting fixture was new. The bathroom was both gorgeous and modern while also paying respect to the era of the house. I could feel their love and touch in every room. But they didn’t want a project in their next house? Hmm. I was skeptical.
Here’s the thing about having done a successful renovation: it changes you. If you’re the type of person that likes to get your hands dirty and see the fruits of your labor, it is immensely satisfying. Sure, there are some people that have a bad experience and never want to do it again, but these were not those people. Of course, I could see that but they weren’t ready to yet. Often times people need to spend some time seeing houses to come to terms with what they really want, and that’s ok.
And that’s just what we did. We toured several houses together, several of which were not projects. Maybe there were one or two things to update, but everything was done. And I could see Katy and Jon trying to grapple with paying a premium for someone else’s remodeling work when it wasn’t exactly their style.
An incredible house popped up in their search area that did not fit what they had asked for: it was a fully original midcentury in pristine condition. It looked as if one family had lived there almost since it was built and hadn’t changed a thing about it. It was also on the most epic, gorgeous half-acre lot. I suggested that we go check it out “just to see.”
As we pulled into the driveway, I could see Katy and Jon’s reaction. They were in love. The house was charming as all getout and the setting was idyllic. As we walked through together I could see their wheels spinning. They could open up the kitchen, they could remove the carpet (“look, there’s wood under here”), they could finish the basement. Their creativity was flowing! They wanted to write an offer. Of course they did, it was perfect!
Once a remodeler, always a remodeler! I have the same affliction. Katy and Jon got keys yesterday. Let the renovation commence!
Kim Parmon
Principal Broker | Earth Advantage Certified | OR
She/Her
Kim Parmon Principal Broker Lead Listing Agent Earth Advantage Certified | OR kim@livingroomre.com Oregon is the fifth state that Kim has called home in her life, and this one is sticking! After moving multiple times in her childhood, Kim fully understands how empowering homeownership and having roots is...
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