Creating the Right Home - Not Just the Prettiest One

Creating the Right Home - Not Just the Prettiest One

A real-life case study in strategy, design, and long-term thinking

“Create your perfect” is more than a phrase - it’s a philosophy that guides how I work with clients, especially when they’re stepping into a new season of life.

At the beginning of 2025, I worked with clients who were preparing for retirement and looking for a home that would support ease, comfort, and longevity. What unfolded became a powerful case study in why the right home isn’t always the one that looks finished on day one.

When Walking Away Is the Best Decision

Initially, my clients were under contract on a beautifully updated home in North Scottsdale. The finishes were fresh, the staging was polished, and it photographed perfectly.

But inspections told a different story.

Major systems - including the roof, HVAC, and water heater - were nearing the end of their useful life, with significant replacement costs likely within five years. For clients heading into retirement, this level of deferred maintenance didn’t align with their goals.

Based on my background in architecture, design, and renovation - and my responsibility to advise beyond aesthetics - I recommended something that can feel uncomfortable in a competitive market:

We should walk away.

That decision opened the door to a much better outcome.

Buying the Bones, Not the Finishes

Soon after, we found a well-kept home near Old Town Scottsdale. The location was excellent. The structure was solid. The layout had potential.

It just wasn’t their style - yet.

Purchase details:

• Originally listed at $735,000

• Price reduction negotiated → closed at $668,000

• 1,715 square feet

• 3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 2-car garage

• Closed January 23

• Move-in March 19

That negotiated reduction was intentional. It created space in the overall budget to invest thoughtfully - not just in finishes, but in systems, function, and long-term performance.

Designing With Intention (Not Excess)

Rather than a full gut renovation, we focused on high-impact, cost-conscious changes that respected the home’s original character while elevating how it functions.

Scope of work included:

• New flooring throughout

• Removal of a closet and a non-load-bearing wall to open the kitchen and living room

• Restoring the double-sided fireplace to reflect its original midcentury charm

• Layered lighting throughout the home

• Additional cabinetry where it added function

• Building out the existing “pantry” to function more like a butler’s pantry

• Reusing and painting original cabinetry to save on cost

• Extending countertops for better usability and extending the island to suit their family

• New interior doors, casing, and baseboards

• Reconfiguring closets to maximize the primary closet

• Updating both bathrooms with a clean, timeless approach

• New ductwork and a new HVAC system

• New exterior French doors

• Closet buildouts and a new water heater

Just as important were the choices we didn’t make:

• All plumbing locations stayed the same

• All sinks and appliances remained in place

This allowed us to control costs without compromising the design.

Total interior remodel investment: $136,000

The Financial Outcome That Matters Most

Here’s the part I love most about this project:

Their total all-in cost — purchase plus renovation — came in below the price of the “already updated” home they were originally under contract on.

And the home they now live in?

• Is larger

• Has new systems

• Is customized exactly to how they live

• And doesn’t come with looming deferred maintenance

For clients entering retirement, that peace of mind is invaluable.

A Personal Note

This home closed one week after I broke my leg skiing in Switzerland.

I managed the design, coordination, and renovation remotely - and I didn’t physically step into the finished home until after my clients had already moved in.

That’s the level of trust we built together, and it’s a reminder that thoughtful planning and clear communication matter just as much as design vision.

Why This Approach Matters

This project perfectly illustrates why I take a holistic approach to real estate — one that integrates:

• Buying strategy

• Design vision

• Construction knowledge

• Budget stewardship

• Long-term lifestyle planning

Sometimes the smartest move is walking away.
Sometimes the best value is hidden beneath dated finishes.
And sometimes the most beautiful homes are created - not bought.

If you’re considering a move and wondering whether to buy “done” or buy smart and create intentionally, I’d love to help you explore what’s possible.

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t buying what’s done - it’s knowing what’s worth creating.

— Anna

Head over to our Instgram to take a look at the Before / After Photos.