At Charlesgate Realty, we’re more than just a Boston real estate broker and property management company. We also have a construction & renovation project services team that works with property owners to tackle a wide range of home and condo renovation projects. As a licensed construction supervisor, we help our clients create a space that works for them and make improvements that add value – from exterior work like roofing, siding and deck repairs, to interior projects including kitchen and bath renovations and common area upgrades.
Our latest project features a kitchen and bathroom renovation in Beacon Hill. This three-bedroom apartment needed to be reconfigured to create a more open floorplan and improve the usability of both rooms to increase the rent potential of this investment unit. You can see the results in the images below, or jump to the bottom of this post for more details on the return on investment for this owner.
In the kitchen, we selected classic finishes that appeal to a wide range of potential renters. Gray shaker style cabinets were paired with a classic white subway tile backsplash with grey grout. This gives the kitchen a more updated, modern look. We chose to go with granite countertop to maintain the high-end feel, without the upkeep, maintenance, and price point of true marble. Granite countertops are a great option for kitchens, especially in rental units.
For the bathroom renovation, we once again utilized the classic white subway tile, this time on the shower wall. We paired it with a grey hex shower floor tile and a ‘linen look’ bathroom floor tile. We installed a fun, trendy light fixture over the medicine cabinet that can easily be swapped out to keep up with changing trends.
We also refinished the original hardwood floors and re-painted and plastered the entire apartment. Classic mouldings and exposed brick were left as is, and are now highlighted in the living/dining room. Overall, the look is sleek and the space is significantly more functional for tenants.
The goal of this project was to increase rent earnings for the owner and after we completed 8-weeks of work, we’re expecting a 25% increase in year one! With a lean timeframe and budget, having shared goals and expectations were essential for success. Partnering with the apartment owner, we selected finishes that enabled us to deliver a quality renovation with minimal downtime and lost revenue. A few key upgrades elevated this unit to be even more desirable for quality tenants and a stronger investment property for the owner.
At Charlesgate Realty, we’re more than a real estate and property management company. We also have a construction & renovation project services team, led by Kelly Robbins, that works with property owners to tackle a wide range of renovation projects. From exterior improvements like roofing, siding and deck repairs, to interior projects including common area, kitchen, and bath renovations, we help our clients create a space that works for them. As a licensed construction supervisor, Kelly has personal relationships with vendors and subcontractors around the city to deliver projects on time and on budget. And with years of experience in every area of real estate, Kelly brings a unique perspective on what updates and upgrades can ensure a strong return on investment.