Heather and Tarek El Moussa's Latest Flip Sold in Under a Week—Here's Why
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Well, if season one of The Flipping El Moussas wasn't proof enough that Tarek and Heather make the ultimate, house-flipping power couple, then maybe the real estate outcomes from season two will convince HGTV fans. Though the second season of the hit show isn't set to air until later this year, the duo is not shy about sharing the highlights of their projects as we wait for the first episode to premiere. In the latest news, another one of the El Moussa's flips from the upcoming season has sold in under a week.
In an Instagram Reel caption, Tarek called out the haters (we know he loves doing that) and shared that just six days since completion of this project, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house he and Heather renovated together sold for over asking price after receiving multiple offers. On the Zillow listing for the Westminster, California property, we can see the original asking price was $100 under $1 million, and since it's still labeled as "pending" at the time of writing this article, we can only assume that it sold for over $1 million dollars.
Judging based on the neighboring homes, it looks like the couple's listing price is relatively in line with the area, if not in the higher range. And while that higher price makes sense for a completely renovated property, in today's housing market, it's still a bit of a shock that this home sold so quickly. We wanted to get to the bottom of why this "entry-level home," according to Tarek, sold so quickly, so we did a little research into what could've factored in to the high property value of this home, split up by room for your reading pleasure.
The Kitchen
When it comes to specific design aspects the El Moussas added to this home to increase the property value, the kitchen definitely had the most upgrades.
Upgraded countertops. The couple added in quartz countertops to the kitchen, which are much easier to maintain than a marble alternative due to their durability. Plus, they can be just as beautiful as marble at a lower price range.
Cabinet features. Knobs are out—cabinet pulls are in. The flat-panel cabinets are completely new, according to the Zillow listing, and the clean pulls the couple used add an attractive sleekness to the room. The under-cabinet lighting is also such a small touch that adds so much brightness and luxury to the room.
Coordinating appliances. Of course, everyone wants modern appliances—that's nothing new. However, the matching stainless-steel fridge, oven, and dishwasher add a lot when it comes to property value. The pot filler is another feature that any potential buyer will be thinking about long after they leave the home.
Thoughtful layout. This home was meant for a growing family, one that would potentially need a lot of space to eat meals and hang out. The layout of this kitchen was obviously made with that in mind, evident from the countertop space, the large island, the barstools, and the good amount of storage in the kitchen. The kitchen is where you gather and entertain, so having a good layout is key to increasing value.
The Living Room
Good flow. Transitioning from the kitchen into the living room, a good flow between the two rooms is so important when it comes to the value of a home. They're two of the most used spaces in a house, and a lot of people are attracted to the open floor-plan between the two so the occupants of each room can communicate easily.
Smart use of space. With the way the home is staged, almost immediately off of the living room is a dining area, which is great to have but takes away some potential furniture space for the living room area. However, the El Moussas utilized their square footage well and created an illusion of more space in the living room by adding a little against-the-wall seating area with pillows to the right of the fireplace.
Neutral colors. Using neutral tones in high-traffic areas of the house are more appealing to potential buyers. The couple used a custom wallpaper throughout the home, including in the living room, to fit the neutral palette.
The Bedroom
Dark walls. Specifically dark gray, which is known to have a soothing effect on a person, so people gravitate toward the color in the bedrooms. The El Moussas chose an accent wall in one of the secondary bedrooms versus painting the entire room in charcoal gray to maintain brightness and versatility.
Subtle statement. While a bold statement can hurt potential resale value, a subtle one may be just enough character to win a potential buyer over. In the third bedroom of the house, the El Moussas added a statement accent wall using two lighter neutrals and a gray. It's easy enough to paint over if the buyer wants something different, but still modern to compliment the rest of the house.
The Bathroom
The tub. Of the two bathrooms, the non-ensuite has a tub in it. After a long day, sometimes a relaxing, essential-oil-infused soak in the bath is all you need. Even if you're not a fan of baths, having the option to even take one can increase your property value. For a while, there was a trend of nixing the bathtub altogether, but they're great for young families and anyone who's obsessed with bath bombs.
The Backyard
Large trees. It is well-known to avid House Beautiful readers that we love a big, ancient tree, and for good reason! A large tree can add thousands to your property value, and while the El Moussas didn't bring in the towering plants themselves, the ones in the backyard definitely add some allure to the property.
Outdoor living spaces. In southern California, it obviously makes sense to have an outdoor living area, and the duo added in a chic, tiled patio to the backyard to check off that box. A simple, adaptable living area in the backyard is very attractive to potential buyers. The El Moussas left enough room for the new homeowners to expand the patio if they wanted but made sure it was clean and stylish enough to be ready for use immediately.
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