The Investment of Built Ins: From A Realtor’s Perspective
Welcome! Have you been considering adding built ins to your home but wondering if the investment is worth it? Well today we have a special interview with a realtor discussing exactly that.
What is your name and/or your business name?
Candice Sandman - Realtor, Newport Living Group at Lila Delman | Compass
What is your favorite part about what you do?
The people, not the paperwork! I really enjoy getting to know my clients, Real Estate is a relationship business. Every transaction is different, for some it is emotional and for others it is just business, understanding client needs makes for a better experience for all parties involved. Also, with my design and marketing background I really enjoy staging properties, directing photoshoots and creating marketing campaigns, I find so much joy in seeing the end product through both my and the consumers eyes.
What value do you think built ins add to a home?
Built ins add to a home on multiple levels, first they add storage. In my opinion a property can never have enough storage, especially when it looks good! Second, well designed and installed built ins bring out the architectural strengths in a property, show the care taken by an owner to create thoughtful, useful design and to better define spaces that may otherwise lack purpose or definition.
Why are they worth the investment?
When done well, built ins are worth the investment and also yield a return later when selling a property. Like with all things, if the care and investment is not taken in the build with high quality materials, and the design feels arbitrary and doesn't blend with the design with the home there is less of a value add, however the majority of built ins are a huge selling feature in a home and are often a feature buyers look for when purchasing, especially in living/dining rooms, closets and home offices.
What areas would you tell clients built ins can make the biggest difference?
I think the term built in has changed over the years, it used to be bookshelves in a living room, but this has expanded over time to encompass mud rooms/drop zones, dining rooms, small bars or entertainment nooks, bedroom desk bookshelf combinations, custom closets, open bathroom shelving and laundry rooms. In each these instances when thoughtfully designed built ins can make a space feel bigger or more useful. It can also add character to a newer build that may be lacking in architectural details. Its a balance of storage and display and can completely change a space.
What areas do you think clients would not always think to add built ins but do you think can be a huge plus to buyers?
Back halls are one of the new "it spots" in homes. Buyers are looking for a mud room or a drop zone to keep shoes, bags and jackets by the door and out of the living space. Homes with eaves or vaulted ceiling's also really benefit from adding built ins to maximize space and storage. Custom closets are huge, gone are the days of wire shelving, buyers are looking for wood shelving, built in dressers, shoe, handbag and hat storage, closets can make or break a sale. Converting extra closets or dead space into a pantry is also big right now. Homeowners are looking to keep food an appliances off of counters but still have them organized and accessible. Also, built ins doesn't need to be shelving/storage, shiplap and focal walls can also be considered built ins and can really change a space for a lot less money than a traditional full wall built in.
What else would you tell your clients considering adding built ins to their home?
Built ins are definitely a "you get what you pay for" addition to a property. If you want to add built ins that add value you need to be willing to make the investment to do it right. Well constructed and styled built ins should be able to hold up to physically to normal wear and tear and stylistically blend into a property to feel as though they are intentional and not an afterthought.
The built ins we create are made from solid, quality products, expertly installed and meant to last a lifetime! We have a lot of information about not only the process, but the quality of our products here on our website and in our FAQs page. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions about our work! Lastly, here is a bit more about Candice and how to contact her to work with her below!
