PRLog - March 26, 2015 - RICHMOND, Va. -- Local renovation and real estate firm, Bobby + April, will complete renovation projects on two historic homes in the next few weeks, in the same style as HGTV’s popular renovation programs.
In the midst of sawdust and falling plaster, the outlines of two amazing renovation projects are taking shape. For the past few years, Bobby+April has begun following the famous formula of the reality TV shows to find the perfect fixer-upper, and then do the work to make the house a “dream house.”
While the process certainly takes longer than the hour-long show, Bobby+April uses the same ideals – maintain the charm of the house, update the floor plan, modernize all the mechanicals and redesign the space to make historic RVA homes shine in a whole new light.
“I have to admit to being a HGTV junkie,” confesses April Straus. “It looked so easy –quick and clean – on TV. I soon learned that that wasn’t necessarily the case in real life! But the pitfalls on the 'Property Brothers' and 'Flip or Flop' shows are definitely real.”
The two properties currently under renovation – in hopes of turning a profit or gaining equity for the realty/renovation team’s clients – are both on Grove Avenue, one in the Fan and one in the Museum District. “Both houses have real potential. The house in the Museum District just needed some more space and changes to the floor plan,” says Straus. Bobby adds, “The real fun is in the Fan home, where the house had been condemned for many years. We basically gutted the interior back to the studs and floorbeams and completely reworked the entire home with all new plumbing, electric, everything you can imagine.” Clearly, April disagrees, “bringing down the walls always seems scary to me, but now that we are in the finishing stages, I can see why he loves this house.”
While working on their first project on West Avenue, Bobby and April discovered they have very different skills. “April is great at keeping to budget, ensuring value, working on colors and design. Seeing the big picture isn’t her strong point,” admits Bobby Hicks. “Sometimes she is pretty shocked by the tear down, but I always have a great vision of the end product.” The key, as they discovered, to any successful project is to keep the budget in mind, while appealing to the target market for the house - even it if is for a client. "Resale is always important," reminds April.
Since that project closed, the team has successfully completed dozens of additional renovations, with great reviews from neighbors, buyers, and other realtors. Their projects always have open houses to show the renovations, and have developed quite a following in town. “The best part of these projects is just starting though,” teases Straus. “We have two amazing parties planned to showcase the houses in the next few weeks.” While Bobby is less excited about the party than the finished product, he adds, “look for invitations in the neighborhoods where the houses are located. If we're having a party, we're making it a big one!”
About Bobby+April
Bobby+April is a partnership licensed as both a realtor and Class “A” contractor. Follow their updates, before and after pictures, and info on their Facebook page Bobby+April, or their website BobbyandApril.com. Also follow them on Twitter at bobbyandaprilva. For more information on upcoming projects, call 804-307-4280
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Bobby+April, Local Company Built on the “HGTV Formula”, Completing Two Historic Renovations in April
March 26, 2015 at 12:09 PM EDT
