‘Flipping Across America’:Midcentury Modern Upgrades That Add Major Value: Massachusetts Homebuyers Homeownership

 Midcentury modern homes are all the rage, but creating the right mix of “midcentury” and “modern” can be a balancing act. Luckily, “Flipping Across America,” hosted by Alison Victoria, is here to help. In the latest episode, “Architectural Opportunities,” Lindsey and Eric Bennett of “Desert Flippers” renovate a midcentury house in Palm Springs, CA, while Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead of “Flip or Flop” renovate a midcentury home in Anaheim, CA.

 Both of these flippers buy their houses for about the same price (El Moussa and Anstead pay $445,000, while the Bennetts pay $460,000), but they make a lot of different choices when it comes to design. Check out these two flipping teams’ midcentury upgrades that add tons of value and help these homes sell for big profits.

1. A unique overhang

 From the outside, Lindsey and Eric’s midcentury house has been well-maintained, so it already looks pretty good. Still, the Bennetts know there’s always room for improvement. Lindsey comes up with the idea to add an overhang to the entryway, building around a cluster of palm trees.

 “I want to wrap these palm trees with a cantilevered overhang and make kind of this floating entryway that makes these trees seem like they’re growing through the house,” she explains.

 The overhang costs $5,000 to build, and when it’s finished, it seems well worth the money. With a new coat of white paint, the home looks bright and modern while the overhang gives a unique midcentury look.

2. Orange tile

 While the overhang adds some serious midcentury style, not everyone has the opportunity to build onto the front of their house. A much easier way to add a midcentury look is by simply using the right colors. Lindsey and Eric turn two dated bathrooms into one beautiful restroom, and to finish the renovation, they add orange tile to the shower. This orange tile may give the bathroom a surprisingly bold look, but Lindsey and Eric know that this color will match the home’s midcentury modern vibe.

 “Normally, when we’re doing these renovations, it’s about staying neutral. And here, like, you’d better like orange,” Eric says playfully.

 When the home is finally finished, it’s clear that Eric and Lindsey made the right choice on tile. The color is bold and bright, but it works well with the otherwise modern style of the bathroom.

3. A cocktail grove

 Midcentury homes often incorporate nature into their design, so it’s no surprise when Eric and Lindsey decide to go big with the backyard greenery. They fill the yard with lovely planters and a wall of greenery beside the pool. Plus, they decide to plant citrus trees in the yard, which they note will not only look great but provide fresh fruit as well.

 “This could be, like, a cocktail grove: oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit,” Lindsey says. This cocktail grove is a unique feature that could be a great addition to any home, but especially in this big backyard, it’s an elegant choice that complements the midcentury style.

4. A kitchen island with a waterfall edge

 While Lindsey and Eric are focused on their midcentury house in Palm Springs, El Moussa and Anstead are busy with their own Anaheim flip. This midcentury build also has a ton of retro style, but the “Flip or Flop” stars want to make sure this old home still feels modern. One way they do that is by installing a kitchen island with clean lines.

 “I say we go white, and since we’re doing a 10 foot island, I say we do a waterfall edge, modernize it,” El Moussa says as he and Anstead plan for the finishes. In the end, the new countertop works well with the rest of the kitchen and living room. The clean, white design complements the midcentury style while still giving the space a more modern feel.

5. Geometric tiles

 With the kitchen looking great, El Moussa and Anstead focus on the bathrooms. They know they need to impress buyers with their midcentury-inspired  tile, but the tiles end up costing more than they expected. “Let’s just bite the bullet,” El Moussa says. “I mean, the house is supercool, it has to be superhigh design. That’s the only way we’re going to get top dollar.”

 They end up decorating one bathroom with an edgy black-and-white geometric tile on the floor with a textured white tile on the walls. It’s a great combination that’s an elegant mix of midcentury and modern.

So, whose midcentury house was the more profitable flip?

Both homes look amazing in the end, but which house makes a high profit once sold?

 While El Moussa and Anstead buy their Anaheim home for $445,000, they spend an incredible $100,000 on renovations. Still, their investment pays off because they end up accepting an offer of $650,000. After paying $28,000 in closing costs, this “Flip or Flop” duo takes home an impressive $77,000.

 Meanwhile, Lindsey and Eric buy their Palm Springs house for $460,000 and spend a whopping $108,500 to fix it up. However, it seems buyers are impressed with the extra cash they put into this home, because these flippers receive multiple offers, accepting one for $670,000. After paying $22,000 in closing costs, Lindsey and Eric make $79,500 in profit, making them the decided winner of this round.

The post ‘Flipping Across America’: 5 Midcentury Modern Upgrades That Add Major Value to a House appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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