From first dates to job interviews, first impressions play a significant role. Naturally, that also goes for real estate. For prospective buyers, a striking home exterior is what first catches their eye, even before they see the house in person. Consider the amount of time prospective buyers spend cruising real estate sites like Zillow. A home’s exterior is likely to be the main photo, and that can determine whether they’re willing to click on the listing. “If we are able to create a home with good curb appeal, we usually use the exterior shot as our lead in photo galleries and marketing materials,” says Sarah Maguiresenior vice president at the Aranson Maguire Group at Compass in Boston. “That’s how important it is!”

Research proves it: According to Remodeling’s 2022 Cost vs. Value Report, the majority of projects that provided the best return on cost were actually exterior house

Though Kim Kardashian famously lives in an uber-minimalist mansion with creamy white, modern interiors, that Axel Vervoordt-designed home is far from the only property she owns. The makeup mogul also has the Vincent Van Duysen-designed Calabasas condo she just put on the market for $3.5 million, the Palm Springs pad Tadao Ando is building for her, another vacation home in a secret location (Kengo Kuma is working on that home for her), and numerous additional Hidden Hills pads, one of which she just listed for $5.3 million, according to Dirt.

The reality television star purchased the 1957-built fixer-upper with her ex-husband rapper Kanye West in 2019. It is a 3,874-square-foot, one-story ranch with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and though it doesn’t appear to be anywhere near as lavish as her main residence, the one-and-a-half acre property does feature equestrian facilities and an in-ground pool and hot tub.

Uniquely,

Aerial view of the front facade

With sweeping golf course views, this extraordinary late 1990s French Provincial home delivers elevated style with a sophisticated and magical balance of light, thoughtfully curated furnishings, and elegantly mixed textures and proportions.

The 24-foot ceilings, the arched doorways, and an eye-catching wrap-around staircase make a dramatic first impression. Looking out of the soaring, statement picture windows, one is simply transported to another place, well beyond the North Shore hamlet of Glencoe. These windows bring the outdoors in, showcasing an impressive vista of green fairways and, on this day, a cerulean blue sky.

Hallway

This is a destination home, intentionally designed to draw family and friends together. The homeowners treasure time with their adult children; with that in mind, they planned and executed interior and exterior features with an eye toward hosting friends, extended family, and, perhaps most importantly, grandchildren-to-be.

Renovations to the first

Photo: istockphoto.com

This article is part of Bob Vila’s Guide to House Flipping in 2022, a month-long series dedicated to showing you the best places for house flipping, crucial steps for selecting a property, must-do upgrades and repairs, and surprising ways to reduce your costs to get the most from your house flipping sales. Each week, we’ll bring you fresh insights mixed with Bob’s tried-and-true advice, our vetted shopping guides, and the inside track to the right professionals to get your flip to the finish line.

Your flip house is almost complete. Walls have been knocked down and new plumbing installed. A shimmering new kitchen and bathroom, fit for a luxury condo, have replaced their worn and dated predecessors. The living room basks in a soothing palate of new beachy wood floors and soft, muted paint colors. All that’s left to do is to list it, field multiple offers,