Front door walks into dining room?

Question

I can't decide if I'm over thinking this or if I need to find a solution. The ranch we are rehabbing does not have an entry/front closet space. The front door opens into the open kitchen/dining room. There is a back door with a coat closet but I know if it was my house it would really bug me that I didn't have a spot to throw coats/bags when I walk in.

Is it worth finding a solution or should I just let the buyer "figure it out" and make the back entry/"mudroom" the main area?

And yes, I realize how petty of a detail this is...

Is it worth finding a solution or should I just let the buyer "figure it out" and make the back entry/"mudroom" the main area?

And yes, I realize how petty of a detail this is...

Michele Fischer · Answer

I would agree with Dawn, maybe stage with with a solution shown for those without an imagination.  Those freestanding benches with a high back doubling as a coat rack would work great if it fits.

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

I have been in a high end home (5000+ square feet) and the front door opened to a little area where there wasn't a closet, and the owners just had a coat rack there and a little table.  It worked.

Mary B. · Answer

As far as the comps of recent houses sold is there a way you can look at the pictures of a couple of those houses? If they look the same and have sold with good ARV than that should put your mind at ease.

You don't want to get too deep in that you go over budget to make the house look like you want if you were living there because you're not the buyer and it can eat away at your profit. You can't let that be your thought process in this business. If you think of how many properties you'll fix and flip it'll drive you nuts. Believe me I've had that problem in the beginning and was taught not to do that. Yes it would likely look better the way you have it planned out in your mind but you gotta stay focused. It'll be way too costly. Yet it shouldn't be too expensive to add a closet which would likely increase the appeal to the buyers. Talk it over with your team.

Kudos,
Mary

Lyndsey Keller · Answer

Our current home is the same way. Front door is where company/visitors go to. We always used the back door (came straight from garage) and that's where we hung coats, kicked off shoes, etc. I thought it was odd at first when we bought the place, but actually, rather liked it. Found out later that the house had been continually added onto, so that why everything was laid out the way it was.

Dick Rosen · Answer

It's not necessarily petty Beth, it may be just as big an issue or bigger  to your buyer. If it were me I would have a couple of my female friends and maybe even a realtor or 2 take a quick look and see what they think. If they feel the same as you... it could be an issue when the time comes to sell.