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<\/a>But a grand vision and an extensive amount of care has transformed the North Park home at 3428 Juniper St. Representatives from a local real estate group said the overhaul is a game changer for the entire neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Two years ago, an investor purchased the home and sunk an undisclosed amount of money into the two-story property. To say the home, built in 1952, received an extreme makeover is an understatement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a complete remodel. It was stripped down, all the way down to the studs,\u201d said Mary McTernan, who heads the Mary McTernan Real Estate Group, a North Park-based company that is affiliated with Home Vision Realty. McTernan\u2019s company began marketing the property last month.<\/p>\n
Although structurally sound, the home needed an extensive amount of cosmetic updates. Outdated fixtures and designs on the interior were replaced with modern accents. A whole new color scheme was introduced, and new building materials \u2013 including wood siding \u2013 were incorporated into the design.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn architect was brought in, and a lot of reconfiguration had taken place,\u201d McTernan said.<\/p>\n
McTernan and her business partner, Z. McT-Contreras, said the home has a $1.29 million asking price: a figure once unheard of in North Park. McTernan and McT-Contreras said most homes in the neighborhood sell in the $500,000 to $700,000 price range.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor North Park, this is almost like a mansion,\u201d McT-Contreras said.<\/p>\n
The home itself encompasses 3,360 square feet and features four bedrooms and three bathrooms.<\/p>\n
McTernan and McT-Contreras unabashedly said the home was an eyesore before the improvements were made. They believe the spruce up will have a ripple effect throughout the surrounding community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis really is a huge transformation for this area,\u201d McT-Contreras said. \u201cThe neighbors have been really excited about what has been taking place.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initial goal was to market the property several years ago. But the home\u2019s unique vantage point at the bottom of a canyon required a more extensive review process from city officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt required a little more effort and a little more patience,\u201d McT-Contreras said. \u201cBut everything has worked out. [The investor] took the time needed so that everything was perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
The delay turned out to be optimal, McT-Contreras and McTernan said. As the housing market has rebounded, they said this is an ideal time to market the property and all of its attributes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had three interested buyers,\u201d McTernan said. \u201cThey have definitely spoken.\u201d<\/p>\n
McT-Contreras and McTernan said the practice of investors purchasing properties and sprucing them up has been a growing phenomenon. While it has, at times, crowded out home buyers, they said it has positives.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestors have turned out some really nice houses and have certainly improved neighborhoods,\u201d McT-Contreras said.<\/p>\n
McTernan added, \u201cThey\u2019ve been able to clean up neighborhoods and escalate property values.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary McTernan Real Estate Group, known for its pink real estate signs, markets homes in a number of Uptown neighborhoods, including Normal Heights, South Park and University Heights.<\/p>\n