reating the right look, touch, and feel is key to ensuring that our clients’ properties are presented in the best possible light.

Sometimes that means a fixer will just be shown as a fixer. For us, however, it will be one that’s clean, bright and open. We’ll stress the property’s potential by imagining the space as it could be and arm buyers with the knowledge of what steps are needed to get there.

Check out some examples below including one where we bested early estimates and ended up closing at nearly $1M over (a realistic) list price.

But most times our clients’ properties are livable and decent enough. The key to getting a sale price that is truly special is by presenting spaces that have that extra “it” factor — spaces that will inspire buyers into action emotionally.

Before you think that updating is cost-prohibitive and too time-consuming, think again. We have access to a network of trades professionals and vendors who our various clients have retained to transform their properties into showcase ones by following a tailored preparation plan that we've created taking our clients' budgets, timelines and goals into consideration.  

Take a look at some of our most notable examples below. 

Befores and Afters On Haight Street

Selling 816 Haight Street was a testament to strategic preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and our unwavering commitment to delivering extraordinary results. Our repeat clients, based in Washington State, had trusted us before when we helped them sell a Duboce Triangle property a few years ago, achieving a $700,000 gain in just 18 months by following our suggestions. For 816 Haight, they knew we’d bring the same expertise, attention, and determination to achieve another incredible outcome.

The home, once owned by a member of the Village People, had strong bones but was held back by a 1990s/2000s update. Taupe tones and dated finishes left it feeling tired by today’s standards. Over several months, we orchestrated a complete cosmetic refresh to bring out its full potential, transforming it into a bright, luxurious, and modern property that truly shined.

We took an aggressive approach to sourcing the best materials and finishes, leveraging trade pricing and tracking down sale after sale to ensure high-quality updates that maximized value without overspending. Our involvement extended to coordinating contractors, vendors, and designers while providing our out-of-state sellers with constant updates through calls and on-site videos. Every detail, from selecting tile to choosing lighting fixtures, was carefully considered and weighed.

Key updates included:

• Fresh Design Updates: Taupe tones gave way to modern, elegant finishes, with designer tile from Ceramic Tile Design and custom LED lighting from City Lights. The result was a contemporary yet inviting aesthetic.
• Updated Kitchens: Both kitchens were upgraded with stainless steel appliances, LED task lighting, and porcelain countertops. The main kitchen featured bespoke oak accents and oak-clad beams under a breakfast nook skylight, which opened onto a new deck.
• Revitalized Outdoor Spaces: The garden was refreshed with new turf and ornamental agave plantings, enhancing its appeal and usability.
• Modern Comforts: Air conditioning was added to the upper levels, along with smart home-capable lighting controls to blend modern convenience with timeless style.

Our aggressive and comprehensive marketing campaign ensured maximum visibility. It included professional videos, a 3D tour, photography, fresh-cut flowers, and even our famous real estate mascot, Raffi. We secured newspaper coverage to further amplify the buzz and generate interest.

The results? Exceptional. The home, previously valued at $2.4M as a rental, sold in just six days with multiple offers for $3.615M—and in December, a month known for its real estate challenges. Neighbors were impressed by the stunning transformation, which highlighted the home’s unique charm and thoughtful updates.

Once again, our clients saw the power of trust, preparation, and the ability to deliver results that exceed expectations. This sale was another milestone in a long-standing partnership built on success.

Befores and Afters On Page Street

Our clients, a government attorney and a nurse practitioner, bought their home as a tenancy-in-common a few years before they met us. A job relocation necessitated a move. Their ground-floor 3-bed, 1-bath converted condominiums that was solid and functional but also dark and dated.

Using existing custom cabinets and systems we proposed a series of cosmetic changes that would boost the value of our clients' property that included painting and reconfiguring custom kitchen cabinets, swapping out a pedestal sink for a floating vanity, and — perhaps most important — updating the home's lighting. 

The Pictures

The Marketing Pictures

Befores and Afters On 15th Avenue

Our clients, an office manager and former realtor, both based in Seattle, contacted us to help them value, clear-out, prepare, remodel, and sell this top-floor 2-bed, 2-bath vintage1980s condominium that was functional and very dated — all from a distance as they were in Seattle the entire time.  

Using existing custom cabinets and systems we proposed a series of cosmetic changes that would boost the property's value that included painting kitchen cabinets, replacing appliances, swapping out bath vanities and installing new LED mirrors, installng new wood floors (with sound dampening material) and updating the condo's lighting. 

The Plan

An excerpt of the plan we helped craft for our client.

The Pictures

The Marketing Pictures

Befores and Afters On Church Street

Our clients, a physician and a banker, bought their house at 1618 Church Street after they met us at our open house across the street at 1617 Church Street, which is another example in and of itself of this point where our clients saw a $400,000 gain after 2 years of ownership and in an investment of about $30,000 of updates, painting and staging we helped orchestrate. 

In this case we took a decent 3-bed, 1-bath home with a huge garage, downstairs laundry and a massive garage that they bought for $1.74M in 2016. They did some updates to the kitchen and made their garage less scary. But when they left at the end of 2021 to move back to the South to be nearer to family, we came up with a specific plan to which they objected to various line items but having said their peace, let us do our thing.

After asking what the need was for switching all the plate covers in the home to the concealed screw ones, which are five times more expensive than the cheap-o ones and why smaller main level laundry and lighting were important.

So when the pre-emptive offer came in some $800,000 over asking with the buyers complimenting on how much they liked the finishes, colors and presentation our clients quickly understood why we do what we do. 

We know the market is no longer the same, but the point stands. We’ve seen the high-ROI returns on quality staging, good paint and sharp, on-point and stylish hardware and lighting — as much as 30X in some cases.