Finding a Diamond in the Rough ✨

We feel so lucky for our friends who introduced us to their daughter, whose family was looking to buy a home in Newcastle. They wanted someone local who could guide them through this ever-changing market, and we were thrilled to step in and help.

After chatting about their wishlist, getting a feel for their lifestyle dreams, and walking through a few homes together, it became clear which neighborhood was the one. The tricky part? Finding the right home there. As many buyers know, the perfect, move-in-ready home in your dream location doesn’t always pop up right away. And if it is a perfect home, it’s likely going to have a lot of interest and sell for top dollar.

That’s when inspiration struck: what if we found them a diamond in the rough?

We toured a home that, at first glance, didn’t exactly sparkle. It was dated, a little dark, and needed some cosmetic updates. Understandably, our clients weren’t in love. Most buyers shy away from homes like this because it’s hard to picture the potential—or know who to trust to bring that vision to life.

But we saw the potential and advised them to see the “flaws” as mostly cosmetic. We could already imagine how fresh paint, new light fixtures, and a few thoughtful touches would completely transform the space into their dream home. As we shared those ideas and painted a picture of what could be, their eyes lit up. They started to see past the surface and glimpse the gem hiding inside.

From there, everything fell into place. Because it was dated and not a sparkly diamond, we negotiated below the list price, leaving room in their budget to refresh and customize the home—without any major remodeling required. They landed in the neighborhood they loved, created instant equity with updates, and ended up with a home that felt like a dream come true.

And here’s the thing—we never disappear after the keys are handed over. For us, the fun really begins when clients start making their house a home. With these new friends, we rolled up our sleeves and got involved in the design process. We brought over our curated paint color selections, talked through their vision, and helped them choose the perfect palette to bring the house out of the ’90s and into today’s modern style.

One of the biggest changes? Paint. It sounds simple, but it’s transformative. Our advice: always test a few shades in different rooms before committing. Light plays tricks, and the “perfect” color in the living room can look completely different in a bedroom. In this case, Sherwin-Williams Shoji White paired with Sherwin-Williams Pure White turned out to be the magic combo—brightening the whole home with a touch of warmth and an inviting vibe that feels so good (especially during our gray PNW winters).

The before-and-after photos tell the story better than words ever could—you won’t believe the transformation.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about buying and selling houses. It’s about helping people love where they live. We couldn’t be happier for our clients-turned-friends, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to make this home and neighborhood their own.

✨ Lesson learned: Don’t judge a book by its cover. Sometimes the smallest, most dated house in the nicest neighborhood is hiding the most potential. Look past what it is and imagine what it could be. With the right vision—and the right team by your side—it might just become your dream home.

Cheers,

Christina and Matt

Matt & Christina are Team Skally, top real estate agents in the Seattle Metro with expertise in luxury homes on the Eastside including Bellevue, Newcastle, Issaquah and Renton. Their client testimonials say it all - they deliver exceptional service and record-breaking results. Recognized as top agents on social media by Property Sparks, Diamond Award winners for best client service, Nextdoor’s Neighborhood Faves and regularly featured in online and print publications including Greet - Newcastle & Newport Hills Magazine. In addition to serving clients, Matt and Christina love family time with their two boys and two Goldendoodles as well as volunteering in the community.