Eichler for sale: 3707 Merridan Dr.

I was able to stop by 3707 Merridan Dr. today for the open house. It's rare that two homes come on the market so close to one another in timing and price, but this one is a far cry (and a good one) from the house on Lancashire. Both are flips, but this one's a bit better.

However, the photos on the site linked above are terrible. While it's a soft market, if I'm paying my agent nearly $30K to sell my house, I'd expect better photos and marketing.

Update: the above link has been deactivated, but if you were to click on it, you'd see images that look like they were taken with an old cell phone. Agents: drop me a line if you'd like better images of your properties!

Update: the above link has been deactivated, but if you were to click on it, you'd see images that look like they were taken with an old cell phone. Agents: drop me a line if you'd like better images of your properties! The photos below are (c) this site.

Although some of the choices are not ideal from a style standpoint, you'll be able to tell when looking at the photos that this house (compared with the one on Lancashire) has a lot less to question about it — namely electrical and overall craftsmanship. There are a few funky choices and things that were overlooked, but nothing that can't be remedied fairly easily.

There are many similar updates: kitchen, bath, flooring, etc... but in all cases, this house is "better" — either in material quality, craftsmanship or both. There are also few updates to the main infrastructure (electrical, structure), which is actually good — you're starting from more of a clean slate. Take a look.

In this model, they've removed the pantry to make room for more cabinets and counter which was a wise move. Note the outlets on island — this is required per code and nice to see (and not present on Lancashire). The circular one is for a phone which is not terribly useful in this location, but is original per 1964. New owners might opt for an alternate phone system/placement (VIOP, etc) and not use the existing land line. 

The tile flooring is quite nice and extends through a good part of the house. The tile will work very well with the radiant heat. They've used carpet in other parts which will not work as well with the heating system essentially trapping the heat in the floor (and raising bills). The new owners might consider a contrasting tile and use area rugs for softness under foot.

In an Eichler-built home (and most any modern home), trim is kept to a bare minimum and when used is painted to match the wall color creating a more expansive plane (as opposed to chopping up the space with accented vertical and horizontal lines. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.

Here's another example where a bright trimmed baseboard draws visual attention to an area that's really not something you'd want to draw the eye toward. In general, beams are painted an accent color (white or brown) to draw the eye up.

The ceilings in this home are stained as original to a taupe-like shade and quite beautiful. Several homes in this neighborhood have the same tonal treatment.

Looking into the Master Bedroom from the back garden/pool area.

 

 

Comments

[live2ridetahoe]

They certainly have changed the house dramatically from what it was before, and I feel it is much improved. I no longer dread coming out my front door and looking across the street. I am very familiar with the history of the house as Chanda and I were friends of the previous owners. They were in an awful rush to get the house finished. The painting the last day was very sloppy, and it clearly shows.

[Scott Allison]

This house is back on the market (May 2015). Do you know which model type this is? I'd be interested in seeing an original floor plan. I think there's been some modification to the original atrium. Any light you can shed on this would be great!

[Hunter Wimmer]

Hi Scott: I visited the house yesterday and was going to write a post about it, but as they say: "if you can't say anything nice...".

From an unwelcoming agent to a bedazzled fireplace there's not a lot to like, imho (and from the opinion of craftsmanship).

This model has no atrium, but instead an adult wing (opposite the kid's wing) -- it's kind of a neat model, but it's easy to wish for an atrium.

I could go point by point of how the owners and agents should have done better if they had hopes to compete with 4095 Phoenix on price (it's obvious they're trying to ride the wave), but I'll refrain. It's also obvious that it's in my best interest to see the house sell for as much as possible, but it's disconcerting when the house is /worse/ than before and attempting a $200K profit (or $300 pre-flip). Opportunism and poor craftsmanship are hard things to reward, imho.