The other day, I saw this comment about remodeling a vintage home to flip it on a real estate web site called Trulia:
Remodeling an Older Arvada Home
If it’s a great floorplan, but I see these “upgrades” I think “lowball offer”.
Retro cool & “Mad Men” is changing what people are looking for, and by throwing that stuff out, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Vintage?”
A lot of the people responding defended the standard practices of fix & flippers, based on their need to sell the home and make money. I understand that, and I agree. Once they buy it, it’s their property.
But then, I think of the times I’ve walked into Victorian homes that were remodeled in the 70s and think what a shame it is that they took out all the Victorian charm. Is that the way people will be viewing these granite and stainless steel remodels in a few years?
I came across that comment shortly after viewing a 1960s vintage Arvada home with a client. The seller was the original owner, and it had so many cute features. I’ve written a separate post about it (How Much Vintage Do You Keep?), but suffice it to say I had boomerang countertops and slant-front metal cabinets on my mind already!
Later that day, I received the August/September 2010 issue of The Arvada Report, which is mailed to all Arvada residents and businesses bi-monthly. The first article was, “Preservation for Living Project Kicks Off in Four Arvada Neighborhoods”.
It said the project, “includes a series of free informational workshops on topics such as historic tax credits, window and masonry repairs, and energy efficiency measures in older homes. A “pattern book” of suggestions on how to sensitively remodel or make additions to older pre-war homes …and for early post-war … will also be developed… to educate homeowners about character defining features … while helping them visualize designs to enhance livability and modern lifestyles.”
Whoa – I think I’m seeing a trend here. (I hope so!)
Anyone out there run into any fix & flippers doing vintage renovations?
It’s true these homes can look ‘dated’, but has anyone listed a ‘Retro Cool Mad Men’ style home? How did that go?
Copyright © 2011 Joetta Fort
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I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those *communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the ‘flavor’ of our community, in case they’re new or moving to the Denver area.
I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly *suburbs northwest of Denver.
*Arvada, Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Northglen, Lakewood
Read more about life in Arvada Colorado.
Check out my website.
I do tire of writing profiles about myself, I'd much rather talk about you! So please email or call me sometime.
And if you're looking for someone to maybe help you buy or sell a home in the vicinity north of Denver, Colorado and you'd like to learn more about me, visit my website, DreamHouseHunting.com.
If at least a little info would be helpful, I've lived in Arvada since 1993, I've been a licensed, full-time real estate agent since 2001. You can read some past clients' testimonials on my website.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Joetta Fort, Broker Associate
Equity Colorado 
I love this web site, very informative and easy to use.
Thanks, James! It’s nice to see you stopped by for a visit. Have a great day.
I loved your post about leaving vintage homes alone! I am so glad to hear about someone who feels the same way I do about these homes. We have been househunting for a vintage home in the mountains(1950 or older) and are having a very difficult time finding one that has not been “updated”. I especially am sad to see how many people put in plastic double paned windows instead of using other creative ways to weatherize old wooden windows(which studies have shown, can be just as energy efficient, if repaired and sealed correctly). And I could go on and on about kitchens! Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a good old fashioned country kitchen with all the old cabinets and a porcelain sink…
Thanks for this post,
Leslie
I love your passion, Leslie! Did you read my related post, which is linked to in here? I think my clients are going to replace the stove
so if you want it, let me know!
I’ve been saying this for nearly a decade.Those who retained and maintained the original details and charm of their mid-century homes are having no problem selling, even in this challenging market.
The remodeled MCM homes in Phoenix are generally easier on my eyes and stomach than in the D.C. area. Phoenix flippers tend to know the market and stick to modern/sleek upgrades that complement the open-living style. DC flippers are too insensitive to the diverse architectural styles in their market…cherry stair trim, country curtains, granite countertops and vinyl windows in a MCM ranch? Yuck.
Hello, Shannon and HRu – I’ve just discovered the world of MCM and atomic homes this past year, it’s quite a passionate crowd that loves these homes, and I’m enjoying learning more and more abou them. Thanks for visiting, and especially for taking the time to comment!