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8 Tips for Selling your Vienna Rambler

January 26, 2011 By Doug Francis

Typical Vienna VA Rambler

Roof stains can be easily cleaned

Many Vienna VA ramblers that were built in the 1950’s and 1960’s will come on the market this year hoping to find a buyer who will appreciate the simplicity of the design. Although many have been updated or expanded over the years, most still have a fixture or two linking them back to their original builders.

Sound like your house?

Here are some inexpensive tips that will make your Vienna VA rambler (okay, split level or split foyer) stand out from the pack and help you “net” more in the end. It may seem obvious to clean up, but Bar Keepers Friend will restore that stainless steel sink, and moving things off your counters or boxing up some of your stuff will only cost you a little time, but can make a big difference when a home buyer is shopping at your house.

You may need to rent a storage room

If your home still has some historic artifacts in the bathrooms, kitchen or bedrooms, here are some tips to help your home appeal to today’s super-picky Vienna home buyer.

  • Oak hardwood floors: It is time to show off those floors as they always rate very high on buyer wish lists. There are inexpensive cleaners and polishes that you can pick up at the hardware store that do a good job restoring and hiding scratches. Or you can hire a hardwood floor refinishing company to sand and finish your floors so they shine like they did back in 1957.
  • Pink, blue or yellow bathrooms: Gutting old bathrooms can be expensive, so consider hiring a company to re-glaze the tile, tub or sink with a new white coating. I was shocked the first time I saw this done as the entire bathroom was transformed. Faucet fixtures are excellent upgrades and a basic American Standard faucet can enhance the look, feel, and water flow.
  • Painting: A fresh coat of paint is essential with a neutral color on the walls and with white trimwork and baseboards. Wall colors are hard for most people, but consider a neutral color like Benjamin Moore’s “Camouflage” in matte finish. It is a nice, subtle green that appeals to today’s home buyers and helps conceal 50 years of hard living.
  • Update light fixtures: Light fixtures  can really transform a room or hallway, but please stay away from brass fixtures. I often recommend updating fixtures in laundry rooms, foyers, kitchens, hallways, walk-in closets or at your front door. Bronze and brushed-nickel fixtures are popular.
  • Wall to wall carpet: You will be surprised when you see these after they have been professionally cleaned. You can save some money if you are able to move the furniture yourself. Companies like Absolute Carpet Care can be in and out in a couple of hours. Now, if the carpet is more than ten years old, orange/brown shag, or just smells then it is time to replace it. Rip it up if hardwood floors are underneath!

When you are selling a home, remember it isn’t your home anymore

  • Appliances: One thing all home buyers look at is appliances, in the kitchen, laundry room or furnace room. You have more choices today than ever to buy a kitchen appliance, with free next day delivery, set up and haul away. I recently replaced a washer for $449 from Lowe’s that looks and works great. If your furnace or AC is more than fifteen years old then it may be worth getting an estimate from an HVAC contractor.
  • Cabinetry: Kitchen cabinetry can be spruced up with new knobs and hardware (no brass please and about $2 to $4 per knob). There are refinishers that can really clean and restore the look (like Victorian House Refinisher). I have seen clients paint old bathroom cabinets a darker, richer color that transforms them… it does take some work though.

I have been selling ramblers for twenty years now, and have seen homes in top condition and in poor condition. The best tip that I can give you is to do a quality job. Home buyers will put no value on poorly done upgrades so know your limits and hire a professional. Hiring a pro will probably take less time, look great, and result in a faster sale at a higher price.

If you are still overwhelmed by the prospect of selling your home, I live in Vienna and can easily pop by and point you in the right direction.

Take a look right now at Vienna Real Estate currently on the market and check out the photos.

Related articles
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  • Budget, Function And Style (mydecorarticles.com)
  • How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell in 30 Days (dougfrancis.com)
  • 8440 Hunt Valley Drive, Vienna Virginia (dougfrancis.com)

Filed Under: Blog, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Benjamin Moore, Home Seller Tips, Rambler, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
    7 Baths

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Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg

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Case Studies

Listing Case Studies Continue Reading

Vienna Real Estate

  • $2,199,888 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,295,000 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,088,888 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,495,000 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $3,600,000 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,795,000 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,200,000 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
  • $3,300,000 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
  • $2,525,000 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $599,000 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
102 JAMES DR SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
$2,199,888
Lot Size
10,019 sqft

Home Size
1,062 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

2511 BABCOCK RD
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
$1,295,000
Lot Size
14,811 sqft

Home Size
3,240 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

8807 HIGDON DR
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
$1,088,888
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
2,410 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

610 MEADOW LN SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
$1,495,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
3,368 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
6 Baths

626 HILLCREST DR SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
$3,600,000
Lot Size
23,523 sqft

Home Size
9,092 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

904 DALE CT SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
$1,795,000
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
4,937 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
5 Baths

9838 CORAL BELLS CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
$1,200,000
Lot Size
20,038 sqft

Home Size
3,020 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

10009 MURNANE ST
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
$3,300,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
9,750 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

131 KINGSLEY RD SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
$2,525,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
7,793 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

3005 SPICE CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
$599,000
Lot Size
1,307 sqft

Home Size
1,940 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

  • 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
    Lot Size
    10,019 sqft

    Home Size
    1,062 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    3,240 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    2,410 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,368 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
    9,092 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    4,937 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    5 Baths

  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
    20,038 sqft

    Home Size
    3,020 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    9,750 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,793 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
    1,307 sqft

    Home Size
    1,940 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

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Home sellers are often caught off guard when I explain that today’s home buyers will decide on their house before ever stepping foot in it. The days of spending hours driving around looking at seven, eight, or nine houses on a sunny Saturday are over. Yes, meeting at 9:00 a.m. to review the available listings […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
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“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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