How We Prepped a 9-Year-Old Home to Feel New Again

Twelve offers. That's what came in when my clients sold their home on Hines Drive, and it didn't happen by accident.

I'm Breanne Wahl, a Los Angeles real estate agent with ACME | SERHANT. In 2012, I helped my client buy 2553 Hines Drive, a brand new modern home in Glassell Park. (That's its own story.) Nine years later, life had changed. My client had married, and they decided to move to another city. They called me to sell it.

Front of 2553 Hines Drive, a modern hillside home in Glassell Park, Los Angeles, sold by Breanne Wahl of ACME | SERHANT. — 2553 Hines Drive from the street.

The zhuzh

A few things were holding the house back. Here's what we did:

The floors. They had a dark, reddish, glossy finish that felt dated. We refinished them to a natural tone.
The walls. Some rooms had bold paint colors. We painted the interior white, so the light and the views could do the work.
Staging. I convinced my clients to stage it. Buyers need to picture themselves living there, and an empty modern house can feel cold.
The price. We priced it attractively, at $1,249,000, to bring in as many buyers as possible.

Dining area with refinished natural wood floors at 2553 Hines Drive in Glassell Park, Los Angeles, staged for sale by Breanne Wahl — The refinished floors in the dining area.

The result

We listed in August 2021 and received 12 offers. The house was in contract in about two weeks, and it closed for $1,510,000, $261,000 over the asking price. My clients got a price much higher than they ever imagined, and they were very happy.

Getting ready to sell?

You don't need a full renovation. Most of the time, a few focused changes make the biggest difference:

Fix what feels dated, especially floors and paint.
Choose neutral, light finishes over bold ones.
Stage it, even if it's a modern house.
Price it to bring in competition, not to test the market.

Selling in Glassell Park?

I'll walk through your home with you and tell you exactly what's worth doing, and what isn't. Let's talk.

Questions about this sale

Who represented the sellers of 2553 Hines Drive in Glassell Park?

I did. I'm Breanne Wahl of ACME | SERHANT. I also represented the same client when they bought the home new in 2012.

What did 2553 Hines Drive sell for in 2021?

It sold for $1,510,000 in November 2021, $261,000 over its $1,249,000 asking price, after receiving 12 offers.

What should I do to my house before selling it in Los Angeles?

Focus on what buyers notice first: dated floors, bold paint colors, and empty rooms. On Hines Drive, we refinished the floors, painted the interior white, staged the house, and priced it to bring in competition.