VIRTUAL DESIGN CONSULTING- CASE STUDY
Is it possible to design from a distance? You betcha!
I interviewed Aaron and Tara, a husband and wife duo from Salt Lake City who just completed a house flip. We chatted about their experience remodeling a house for resale while taking my interior design advice from afar. Tara is a realtor and Aaron, otherwise known as “Crum” from his Nitro Circus days and they recently flipped a 1950s bungalow.
Why did they choose this house flip?
It was in a great part of town and was very charming, despite it being a complete mess. Potential! They wanted to bring a modern touch to the classic lines of this brick bungalow. Watch the whole video for the whole story, or read on….
Designing from a distance – House flip edition
? Do you wish you had a designer on hand to help guide your remodeling or decorating choices?? Are you a busy real estate investor or agent or a house flipper and want to close more deals or make more money on your flip but don't have the budget or time to involve a designer? This one is for you! ? ? Are you wondering how to get the biggest bang for your design buck without hiring an expensive interior decorator? {{psst, it's in the video}}This video is all about how I helped my Salt Lake City house flipping friends Tara Paras of Paras Real Estate and Nitro Circus's Aaron Sauvage otherwise known as "Crum" with their house flip from all the way over here in Los Angels through virtual interior design consulting. I just planted some design seeds and they mixed it with their mad skillz and beat this fixer in to submission. It's a beauty!Watch to find out how it is possible for me to help take your design to another level even though I may be in another state! It's easier and more convenient than you think! Then share what you liked best about this house flip in the comments!And if you are a real estate investor, vacation rental owner, or real estate agent, I may just be that secret weapon you are looking for to boost your profit! ? ??Follow this page & Share your projects with me on my Monday posts to get my feedback for free!(time stamps in the video if you want to jump ahead):45 introduction to the house. Before and after’s.1:15 Who was the target home buyer?2:15 How much did Marilynn consult on the design of the house and did it help?3:02 Did her suggestions add to the value of the house?4:00 What was the impact on potential home buyers?4:45 Even though Marilynn isn’t there on site, did they feel confident in her suggestions?5:40 How Marilynn can save you money even if you are in a different state.6:42 Outcome after putting it on the market. Multiple offers above list price!7:12 How can a designer that isn’t able to come on site help me? Will I sacrifice value?8:06 Convenience & time saving. More benefits of virtual consulting.8:50 More examples of how simple virtual consulting is.9:40 Description of Marilynn’s style of consulting & extra special bonus. ;)10:30 Tara Paras contact information. Tara@taraparasrealestate.com
Posted by Marilynn Taylor • The Taylored Home on Thursday, March 15, 2018
What was the target demographic in this real estate market?
In their market, the targeted buyer wants a turnkey home – a home that is completely redone and ready to move in. The home should be fully remodeled and have modern touches. So…the short answer, was they flipped it for the broadest demographic possible.
They created a new floor plan, but was there anything else that could help make this house shine and “wow” homebuyers?
When making decisions on the theme of the house, they struggled a bit on which direction they wanted to take the house. I made two suggestions: 1) bathroom tile and 2) kitchen backsplash that Aaron and Tara believe took the house in a completely different direction and made a major impact on the overall design and added to the home’s value, without increasing the budget – and actually costing less then the original plan.
What is the value of design?
Having my design input gave the flippers more confidence in choosing themes and pulling the look together- making the design polished and sophisticated. And, they were able to save money (by about half) on the tile finishes. This is one of the many ways I bring value to your projects, especially in the case where back end profits are important.
Not everyone knows that I studied real estate investing for 5 years before I became a designer, and worked with many real estate investors and developers before I became a full time designer. In fact, my sister and I were The Property Sisters with the intent to become a house flipping team, but the demand for design and build was so high, we never got around to the flipping! C’est la vie! But I still get to bring my expertise to the table for other investors to help them maximize their profits while still providing quality.
How was it to work remotely with an interior designer?
Using technology made it quick and low-stress to help make design decisions. It was super easy – using Skype, videos, still photos, Aaron and Tara could share visual information and I could get back to them immediately without being on site. It’s a money saver and a time saver. Time is money! Look at how incredibly beautifully they completed this house. Feast your eyes.
I can do the same for you!!
It could save you tons of time and money to work with me and help you avoid a disjointed design, costly remodeling or design mistakes, or I can even simply save you from the overwhelm!!
I offer multiple ways that we can work together.
- If you are a DIY’er, you can sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a tip or an offer.
- We can work together virtually (via video conference) by appointment. You can book online!
- Or if you are local to Los Angeles or Orange County, I also offer in home consultations or quickie styling sessions.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!!
