3712 Merridan

I was able to visit 3712 Merridan the other day and all I can say is: "wow". It is a gem of a place.

It looks dingy in the pictures, but under the wallpaper, smoke stained walls and carpet is a relatively untouched Eichler and a great floorplan. When going through a place like this — at least for me — I'm looking at what it could be more so that what it is. Frankly, presently, it isn't much and not a place that is in move-in condition… but some light-duty renovation would bring this back in short order.

 

 

The model is very much like our own except larger (in all the right places) and on a larger lot with a more bucolic sense of place (specifically, the streets curve whcih makes it feel like less of a thoroughfare… something I've always liked about this neighborhood.).

The Good… a relatively untouched, so you're not paying for someone else's idea of an improvement

• The radiant heat is supposed to work
• Original, unpainted ceilings
• The model is an atrium model and a bit larger than most Eichlers of this vintage.
• Great neighborood/neighbors
• Hobby room instead of a "nook" like our own… this could be transformed into an office easily, or even a bedroom.
• The house is about 6 feet wider on each side than ours which give some welcome extra room… just that extra bit to make it comfortable rather than cozy.
• Pool
• Huge lot
• New(ish) foam roof

The Bad… Everything needs a onceover, so this is a renovator's dream" for sure. It needs:

• New flooring (with carpeting trapping moisture, the original VAT should pop right up)
• New paint and finishes throughout… the owners were smokers and you can tell the minute you walk in
• New wall treatments (removing the wallpaper will necessitate doing something to the wallboard… grasscloth over the wallpaper in much of the area could be an option)
• New kitchen (unless you're into the lower counters and cramped streamlined style of the original)
• New siding (so this is an opportunty to insulate and upgrade electrical/data wiring… the neighbors' house is wrapped in T1-11 (rather than the more-expensive Eichler-style siding) and it looks pretty good)

However, when you think about it, this is all of the stuff we did and the house is $175K less than we paid for ours and the place is bigger and on a bigger lot.

Contact Geri Murphy (geri@gerimurphy.com) for more information. Hopefully, the house can go to someone who can give it the TLC is deserves.