Experience The Story of “A Dream Come True.”
Built 2019
4 bed · 3 bath · 2,900 FSF
Gorgeous “Pop the top” transformation. you won’t believe the before & after.
Just 1/2 block south of 50TH & FRANCE, EDINA
Believe In Transformation
If You Believe Your Dreams Will Come True
They Will
Meet The Owner:
In November of 2018 I, Tim Murphy, had the chance to talk with Helen’s real estate agent about the home you see below. Helen lived in this home with her husband and children for over 40 years. Today, her husband has passed on and her kids have children of their own. Because Helen’s health was failing her, I worked with her agent and her son on the purchase of Helen’s home.
Before
The Situation:
Before I ever had the chance to meet Helen I saw her home listed for sale. As a local Edina & Southwest Minneapolis, real estate, infill developer I am always on the hunt for a new project. A new opportunity to help breathe life into a city I love. Being I have lived here my entire life. Minneapolis is home to me. I take great pride in helping people like Helen transition into the next phase of their life. Knowing she’s leaving her home, of 40 years, in good hands.
Because after 40 years all Helen wants for her home, the home she raised a family in, is to see it brought back to life. Like the day she first bought it. Like any one of us… Helen dreamed of having a nice family, like her family did 40 years ago, purchase this home and enjoy it for the next 40 years.
For most people who have owned a home 20, 30, 40 or even 50+ years. They love their home… Just like they love their family. Because their home is a symbol of lifelong memories they will never forget. Through experience and investing in Minneapolis real estate over the last 15 years. I have come to realize the immense value in this. As such, I have put great thought into the approach I take with homeowners I seek to help.
After
When I first met Helen it was at the closing table. She was in her mid 90’s and told stories of how the FULTON, Mpls neighborhood used to be 40 years ago when she first purchased her home.
“Tim, you probably weren’t even alive then…” Helen said with a smile.
“My how things have changed. But, I understand why. people’s needs are different.” She said as if she was lost in her own thoughts. Thinking about the way things used to be.
As we continued to talk I told Helen about what our plans were for the house. How we planned on remodeling it and possibly doing a “Pop-The-Top” if we could find the right family.
Like most, she was not sure what a “Pop-The-Top” meant.
Options:
After we acquired this home. We needed to decide on what was the best course of action.
The best part about buying a one and one half story home… Is the flexibility it provides.
Option 1: We work with the home “As-Is.” Keeping it a one and one half story. Transforming the upper half story into a stunning master suite. Creating a more functional and beautiful kitchen. While increasing the homes total finished square footage by finishing the basement.
Option 2: We “Pop-The-Top” adding a full second story with 3 bedrooms and a spacious master suite. Including a large walk-in closet with a master bath that will keep you smiling. Not to mention adding the laundry upstairs — just because. 9 times out of 10 we end up “Popping-The-Top” because a family wants their home to live like a suburban home. While having all the luxuries of city living.
The Decision (and Result):
Luck had it, Scott & Penny, a couple who lived out in the suburbs decided they were ready to move closer to the city. They had enough of the “Burbs” and were ready to enjoy fine dining, amazing trails, the city lakes and real walk-ability.
“Tim, we absolutely love this location you have here in FULTON, Minneapolis. The corner lot allows us to avoid driving down an alley, we will get amazing sun from the southern exposure and not to mention… There is a HUGE vacant lot next door. It’s like having our own double lot in the city. I’ll bet that doesn’t happen often?” Penny said to me with a twinkle in her eye.
“Penny, you are 100% right. Over the 15 years I have been doing this… very rarely will I ever have the chance to build or remodel a home with such a big city yard. The best part. You don’t even need to mow it.” I said as we all started laughing.
The next step was deciding if they wanted to go with OPTION 1 or OPTION 2.
Scott and Penny loved the idea of paying $650,000 for a smaller home and really downsizing.
Until, we really started talking about how they wanted to live in the home. Penny really wanted to have an open floor plan on the main level, she also wanted extra room for the kids when they came home for the holidays. Plus, more than anything, they couldn’t give up their mudroom. Which we had no way of adding if we kept the home as a one and one half story.
“Tim, what is the cost difference between keeping the one and one half story… Or “Popping-The-Top?” Penny asked me
“Penny, there is a BIG difference. On the less expensive side you are looking at a price of $850,000 - $875,000 depending on your finishes. But, if you have really nice taste… You could end up spending around $950,000” I explained to them.
After working with our architect and really talking through options with our General Contractor Chris.
Scott and Penny decided a “Pop-The-Top” was going to be their best bet for the long haul.
The Secret To Making It Happen:
Based on what Scott and Penny wanted out of their DREAM HOME. I couldn’t have agreed with their decision more.
Popping-The-Top was going to give them 3 bedrooms and the laundry upstairs.
They were going to get a LARGE master suite. With a walk-in closet, good size bathroom and the window seat Penny has always wanted.
Each one of these things were “Must Haves” they were not willing to give up.
More importantly, was how we were able to open up the main level. Because “Popping-The-Top” allowed us to move the stairs to the side of the home. Instead of keeping them in the middle of the home. This is always one of the BIGGEST deciding factors.
Penny loved how the whole house was going to open up, she was going to get her library room, her mudroom and an office nook which would work out perfectly!!
As you can imagine, taking the roof off a home and adding a second floor is not easy task.
Navigating the city of Minneapolis and all their rules and regulations is not for everyone.
That’s where Chris, with EHRconstruction.com comes in. With his 30 years of building experience and together out 10+ years experience building and remodeling homes in the Minneapolis area. We know how to navigate the city of Minneapolis and all their detailed rules and regulations.
I mean look at it “Before” and “After”
As a Value-Driven Investor, I Tim Murphy, take immense pride in assembling a great team of people who love what they do. Because when you do the work for the love of it and not just for money. It shows!
When you work with people you respect. It shows!
When you do the right thing.. Because it’s the right thing to do. It shows!
So, the next time you see a little old, worn out, beat up home in South Minneapolis. Remember, it’s not as easy as 1,2,3. Unless you have a TEAM, with a Value-Driven Approach, who you know, like and trust to get the job done right.
Thank You to our TEAM of Value-Driven Experts who work tirelessly on behalf of our treasured customers and their families.
Work Completed By:
GroundUp Development in partnership with EHR Construction & Ravishing Rooms
