LUSBY, Md. — When a Lusby property owner finally regained possession of his rental home after years of tenant occupancy, he was faced with a situation many landlords fear.
The home, which had been purchased more than a decade earlier and converted into a rental property, had fallen into significant disrepair. Years of wear, deferred maintenance and tenant damage had left the property in distressed condition.
Like many homeowners in similar situations, his initial plan was straightforward: sell the property as-is and move on.
After evaluating the home, The Mark Frisco Team estimated the property would likely sell for approximately $200,000 in its current condition.
However, the team believed the home’s potential value was substantially higher.
Rather than rushing the property to market, The Mark Frisco Team recommended a strategic renovation plan designed to maximize the home’s appeal and overall market value. The seller agreed and entrusted the team with coordinating the project from start to finish, including contractor management, renovation oversight, finish selections, scheduling and preparation for market.
The homeowner invested approximately $58,000 into the renovation.
Over the following weeks, the property underwent a complete transformation.
Once the work was completed, the home was listed for $309,000.
The response from buyers was immediate.
Within just five days, the property generated multiple offers and ultimately sold for $320,000 — $11,000 above the asking price.
The seller ultimately netted more than $60,000 from the transaction.
According to Mark Frisco, situations like this highlight the importance of having a strategy tailored to the property’s condition and the local market.
“Many homeowners assume selling a distressed property as-is is their best or only option,” said Frisco. “Sometimes that’s the right decision, but in many cases, strategic improvements can dramatically change the outcome. The key is understanding where to invest, how to position the property and what buyers in today’s market are looking for.”
The project serves as another example of how thoughtful planning, market knowledge and proper execution can help homeowners unlock hidden value in their properties.
For Southern Maryland homeowners considering selling a property that needs repairs or updates, the results demonstrate that the highest return isn’t always found in the quickest path to market.
Sometimes, the right strategy can make all the difference.
The Mark Frisco Team has sold more than 1,200 homes and surpassed $385 million in career sales volume, serving homeowners throughout Southern Maryland. For more information, contact team@somdteam.com.
