Today I showed 3 bedroom houses in Evanston. One of the houses was advertised as renovated with a new kitchen (shown right). It was one of the poorest renovation jobs I’ve seen.
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1. When you tell home buyers that a home has a new kitchen, they expect the appliances to match at least in color. Here we have a black microwave with white appliances.
2. Notice that the tile backsplash doesn’t extend behind the stove where it would certainly be good to have a non-flammable surface. If you had been with us, you would have seen how the tiles didn’t even create a flat surface.
3. In my buyer’s price range, we weren’t expecting 42″ cabinets, but these dinky cabinets are ridiculous! Look at all that wasted space!
4. The house was advertised as renovated, but the rooms on the back of the house weren’t touched.
5. It appears the home had been previously divided into 2 units with one unit in the basement. The renovators didn’t even bother to reconnect the first floor to the basement. You have to enter from the outside to get to the basement.
The listing sheet for this home states, “…this one will not last!” I wonder if they are referring to the house’s ability to remain standing? 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fran Bailey shows, previews and tracks downtown Chicago homes for sale giving her the insights needed to help her clients negotiate the best price and terms. Fran has been quoted in numerous Chicago and national publications. To schedule showings of listings regardless of broker or to contact Fran email her at fran.bailey@bairdwarner.com or call 773.793.4516. Learn More
Fran Bailey, Realtor
