BiggerPockets

I'm new to the biggerpockets community and hope to make great friends here.
I see a lot of posts regarding using interior designers for staging purposes but not about material selection.

How often do investors use interior design services to select materials to optimize marketability (quicker sale, wider market appeal, or better renter, larger rental revenue) and control rehab costs? I'm not just referring to high end properties but to the entire spectrum.

Thanks for any replies.

Kelly

Ray ... I have thought of using an architect for my projects but I'm afraid of the cost of using one. How much it's a normal fee for the services of an architect in a smaller project? Re--hab?

Hey Ray,

Thanks for responding, sorry it's taken me a bit to get back to you. What I hear you saying is "nope, the developers and investors you work with don't use interior designers".

I appreciate you chiming in because you are an architect. As an affiliated professional, I'd like to know what you think about using a more complex color scheme (meaning, wider spectrum of values) to increase "perceived" value of a property.

Depending on the home, an example may be to use darker valued cabinets (paint grade done in a darker color, alder-like or cocoa/ebony finish) with light countertops and neutral paint to create contrast. It's contrast, among other things, that makes people's heart go pitter-patter. As a rule of thumb, the more complex a color scheme...the high the socio-economic level as you probably already know. There is a lot of color/value choices in materials at all price points so as to not increase variable cost.

I guess what I'm saying is using these design theories and techniques (may) would reposition the home's value into a higher market position.

I'm with you on the open floor plan and use of neutrals. It's the tried and true adherence to the "light or airy" quality to sell real estate. I get it…light and airy can give the impression that people are getting more space and they usually want as much as they can get. In this tight economy, however, I'm thinking of additional or alternative ways to influence emotional buying and set properties apart from the competition.

Like I said in my intro, I'm just kicking around these ideas and looking for feedback.

Thanks again!

I'm actually a designer and have worked in the commercial field for 15 years. I have been rehabbing homes for the past few years and I think that my design background does help. I am with you that open spaces and neutral colors are best, but I do think I have an edge over some others in my area. I think I have a great hand on using materials to create a high end look at lower prices and I also think that I have an "in" for what most house hunters are looking for. I will also say that they are many rehabbers out there who just have a natural knack for these things and I love to see what others do. I would love to figure out a way to market myself to investors to make a little cash on the side or perhaps even trade services. I have offered my services for as little as $50 per hour with a 4 hour minimum.

Hey Kelly

Sorry that it is only now that I am getting back to this topic. I will get to your answers in a second after Ana's answer.

Ana, there is no defined answer, but ballpark is 5K. I wouldnt hire an architect if your just paint and carpeting. If your moving walls and adding bathrooms, then I highly recommend an architect over a GC, the contractors I interact with do not have the return on money attitude as i do.

Chris,
I find that usually the developer keeps the colors neutral and cheep on the painters. I find that painting's budget is always the first to get trimmed when the project goes over budget.

Kelly
You really have to know your market to make those color calls. are you going for a high end user, can the neighborhood support that high end user??? those are the type of questions that will drive your answers and budgets...

so look for a GC will get the most of your dollar.