Well-Designed Sells Better - Interview with Vanessa Reilly, Atlanta’s mid-century modern home market expert

While purchasing a mid-century modern house herself, Vanessa recognized the need for an agency catering to sales of these unique homes in Atlanta.

To meet this need, in 2008 she founded Domo Realty, where today she serves as the Chief Real Estate Officer.

- How did your deep appreciation for mid-century modern architecture develop?

It happened organically and by coincidence! I had always wanted to be an architect when I was growing up because I loved houses, buildings and design. Instead, I ended up getting my BA and studying graphic design and marketing. When I first moved to Atlanta, I moved about every 6 months and couldn’t find a job in the marketing field as it was during a time when no one was hiring. I ended up selling cars instead.  As soon as I had saved up enough money for a down payment, I knew I needed to buy a house. I had seen my step-father buy and flip houses as a child and so real estate investing was something that just made sense. I wanted something different though; something that wasn’t like anything else I had seen before. That’s when I stumbled upon a little neighborhood called Northcrest and it was love at first drive-by. Northcrest is a development of 400 plus homes with a mix of traditional and mid-century modern post and beam style. I fell in love with a split-level home that had pickled tongue and groove ceilings and expansive floor to ceiling windows. Living in that home was when I first discovered my love for mid-century modern homes. 

- The mid-century modern aesthetic has certainly been making a comeback. To what do you attribute to the growing popularity of mid-century modern homes in metro Atlanta?

I don’t think it ever died. Well-designed mid-century homes have always been appreciated and loved through the decades.  More recently, however, movies and advertisers have been using mid-century homes as backdrops to elevate the “cool factor” in their productions. I think that this vibe resonates with the younger generations. And along with the influx of the movie industry and the increase of transplants from the West Coast, the mid-century modern aesthetic has gained a lot of popularity in Metro Atlanta.

- How often do you meet home buyers looking exclusively for a mid-century modern home and is there a typical profile for these buyers?

All the time! There is not a specific profile per se. Just people who appreciate a well-designed home and a timeless aesthetic.

- For those interested in purchasing, tell us about the mid-century modern housing stock in Atlanta. What can buyers expect to find?

Inventory is lower than ever for mid-century modern homes. I tell all my buyers to be prepared for that. It is essential that they have their proof of funds ready because more than likely they will be involved in a bidding war for a beautiful mid-century modern home. The market is moving fast and a nicely renovated or preserved mid-century home will sell in the first 48-72 hours it’s on the market (if it’s not grossly overpriced of course). 

- How common are these homes and in what areas of the city can they be found?

They are not as common as they are on the West Coast. Atlanta is a more traditional city that has historically embraced more traditional architecture. Many of the fabulous sprawling mid-century ranches on the Northwest side of town have been torn down and replaced by mega-mansions. Though there are still pockets of cool MCM gems throughout the city developed in the late 1950s through the early 1970s. Some notable neighborhoods that have a higher concentration include: Northcrest, Northwoods, Amberwood, Collier Heights, LaVista Park, Smoke Rise and Cedar Park.

- Is the price-point for mid-century homes comparable to other more typical homes on the market? How well are mid-century modern homes selling overall in the region?

Mid-century modern homes typically go for more than a traditional home. All of my mid-century listings are selling like hot cakes!

- What advice would you offer to readers looking to purchase a mid-century modern home?

Align yourself with a good mid-century modern Real Estate expert who not only knows the areas to find MCM homes but also lives in one and has a network of friends and other agents who know of upcoming listings. Many times, cool Mid-Century homes will sell before they even hit the market; so, if you can find a Realtor who knows how to mine for mid-century gold you have a better chance of finding your dream home.

- Despite their growing popularity, new mid-century modern homes are rarely built in this part of the country. Do you have any insight on why this is the case? 

I hear this question all the time. The answer lays in simple economics. Builders build on a price per square footage basis. A sprawling horizontal ranch takes up a larger lot and isn’t as cost effective to build. Land prices have doubled in the last couple years and the cost of labor and materials is astronomical. Builders are not making profits like they used to, and so most in-town builders are building townhouses to offset land and construction cost. But I think it’s time to change what the buyers should expect and what the developers could deliver. Quality construction is expensive, but a well-designed home will cost just as much to build as a poorly designed one. It’s worthwhile to hire a design professional, so that after all the money and effort is spent, the developer has a marketable product that stands out to the buyers. Well-designed homes sell better.