Seattle Mid-Century Home Seller | A Journey To Sell Their Dad’s Home

Let’s talk about our Seattle mid-century home seller and the journey to sell their dad’s home. Our recent listing in Matthew’s Beach is a story that all Seattle mid-century home sellers should hear. Seattle has a rich history of mid-century homes throughout our city. Unfortunately, many of them have been “updated” with all of that 1990s and mid-2000s blah aesthetic. Often this results in a home that does not have the true character of one of our great 1960s or 70s homes. The story behind our seller’s dad’s mid-century modern home in North Seattle will inspire you.

Here’s how we turned a neglected mid-century gem into a stunning showcase, ready for modern buyers who value vintage design.

Seattle Mid-Century Home Seller’s Journey To Sell Their Dad’s Home

Before we begin, let’s get something situated here. I own not one but two mid-century homes and I think of myself as a bit of an aficionado. Chavi and I have lovingly restored our homes and we can attest that the journey is worth it. We brought all of that experience and my personal love of helping Seattle’s Mid-Century home sellers as they navigate getting their home ready for the market.

A Call to Action for a Seattle Mid-Century Home Seller – Sell As Is Or Fix it Up And Sell The Home

In April, close friends reached out for help with selling their dad’s home. After years of deferred maintenance, the home showed its age, but its mid-century modern bones still held immense potential. At the time we had two options. Sell the home as is or find an off-market buyer. Or fix it up using our team and maximize the value for both the sellers and the future buyers. Here is the decision process our Seattle Mid-Century Home Sellers went through to determine the right path for them.

Here is the estimated value with each of these options:

Sell this Mid-Century Home As Is: $800,000
Sell this Mid-Century Home Fixed Up: $1,295,000 was the offering price and it sold in multiple offers for $1,410,000.

The Issue With Selling the Home “As-Is”

The home was so deteriorated that we were unsure if a buyer could qualify for a conventional loan.

The Final Decision for This Seattle Mid-Century Home Seller

Our seller decided to update and restore this Seattle home to its original mid-century modern glory.

Why Restore This Seattle Mid-Century Modern Home Instead of Doing a Full Remodel?

From the start, our Seattle mid-century home seller decided to focus on restoration rather than a full remodel. Seattle’s mid-century homes hold unique appeal, and we knew this one could attract buyers looking for authentic design elements. Our goal was to enhance the home’s original beauty rather than completely overhaul it. This meant that we kept elements in the basement, kitchen, and other areas to really showcase this beautiful view home in Matthews Beach.

Making Tough Decisions: The Kitchen vs. The Bathrooms

There was a limited budget and we had some tough choices to make. Both the kitchen and the bathrooms needed some extra love. Should we renovate the kitchen or the bathrooms?

Here is what our Seattle mid-century modern home seller decide to do:

Clean Up the Kitchen

When it came to the kitchen, we faced a big decision: Should we fully remodel it or leave room for the new owner’s creativity? Ultimately, we chose to refresh the kitchen with new appliances and tile but held off on a complete overhaul. This strategy left space for buyers to make the kitchen their own. The kitchen already had a really cool layout and the blue cabinets were unique. We knew someone would fall in love with the kitchen in its current state. Ok not its current state. There was SO MUCH clean up that we had to do!!!

Renovate the Bathrooms

However, we couldn’t ignore the bathrooms. They were small, cramped, and not in good shape. We reconfigured both the hallway and primary suite bathrooms, expanding them and giving the home a much-needed update. The new primary bath and walk-in closet transformed the home into a more functional, luxurious space. I think we will dream about this primary bath for years to come!

Bedroom Transformation: Maximizing Space and Style

One of the most significant updates centered around the primary bedroom. The original layout lacked space and functionality. We worked with our team to reconfigure the area, adding a spacious walk-in closet and expanding the primary suite bathroom. This approach allowed us to create a luxurious, modern bedroom while maintaining the mid-century aesthetic.

Here Are the Before And Afters Of the Other Main Floor Bedrooms

Additional Before & After Transformations

Before & Afters of the Living Room

The living room needed a total refresh. We love how it feels brand new, yet still highlights the original mid-century elements.

Before & Afters of the Dining Room

The dining room is a super stylish spot to entertain in now! We especially adore the statement light fixture.

Before & Afters of the Downstairs Rec Room

The downstairs rec room is updated and ready to go! Hang out, play games (there’s even enough room for a ping pong table!), gather around the fireplace, and just chill out here.

Before & Afters of the Backyard

Your summertime paradise is waiting for you! We gave the yard a total makeover, including refreshed landscaping. The pool is ready for you to enjoy now, too.

Before & Afters of the Back Deck

We love a good deck, and this one needed an overhaul. Now you can enjoy the fresh air rain or shine, and there’s always plenty of natural light thanks to the skylights overhead.

Staging to Tell the Story of the Beauty of This Seattle Mid-Century Modern Home

The staging brought the final layer of polish. We worked with a stager who expertly blended mid-century modern furniture with contemporary pieces to tell the story of the home. The staging emphasized the home’s original style while making it feel modern and inviting.

I can tell you from experience not all stagers are equal. Many have very blah and boring elements. In this home we really pushed the style and brought in a lot of color with the help of our stager.

How Much Did It Cost Our Seattle Mid-Century Home Sellers?

This is a question that should be asked more often. How much did it cost our mid-century modern home sellers to do this transformation?

Renovating the bathrooms, restoring the home, updating the roof, cleaning the pool, and dealing with the chaotic landscaping took cash. We worked with our Seattle mid-century modern home sellers to help them find financing for the updating and manage the whole process.

Overall the cost was right below $200,000 to do a TON of work. Work that is not glamorous. Like dealing with leaking washers, missing light fixtures, and everything else someone needs to do when restoring a home.

The overall benefit to the seller was selling the home above $1,300,000 instead of selling the home around $800,000. That $200,000 investment resulted in a $500,000 increase in offering price and multiple offers.

Check back for the final price.

More Information About this Seattle Mid-Century Modern Home in Matthews Beach

MLS: 2299668
Address: 10625 Durland Ave NE Seattle, WA 98125
Neighborhood: Matthews Beach
Offering Price: $1,295,000
Sold Price: $1,410,000
More Information >
Link to the home’s video >

More on the blog “My Five Favorite Features About This Mid-Century Modern Home”

Key Takeaway for Seattle Mid-Century Home Sellers

After 25 years in real estate, I’ve watched many homes go through remarkable transformations, but this project in Matthews Beach stands out. My advice, Seattle mid-century home sellers should focus on the restoration of the original home rather than a full remodel. Buyers today love homes that retain their mid-century heritage, and this home proves that point.

Want more information about our passion for Mid-Century Homes in Seattle?

We are here to help. Our team understands that this process can take a year or two. Give us a call. Our Team loves helping people develop a personalized listing plan for their homes. Feel free to contact us directly at thediva@teamedivarealestate.com or call/text 206-271-0264.