We Sold Two Houses Across the Street… in One Day

Table of Contents

1. How Do You Get Top Dollar for Your Home in KC?
2. Selling Two Homes at the Same Time
3. The Neighborhood That Changes Everything
4. What We Actually Did to Prep Our Home
5. The Flip That Completely Changed the Outcome
6. Original vs Reimagined Layout (Why It Matters)
7. What the Numbers Really Looked Like
8. Why These Homes Sold So Differently
9. What We Would Do Again (And What We Wouldn’t)
10. Why We Loved Living in Waldo
11. Where We Moved and Why
12. What This Means If You’re Moving to KC
13. FAQ: Selling a Home in Kansas City

How Do You Get Top Dollar for Your Home in KC?

This is the question everyone asks… and almost nobody answers clearly.

Most people assume:

• Bigger house = higher price
• More updates = better return
• Just list it and it’ll sell

That’s not how it works.

We just tested this in real time by selling two homes directly across the street from each other… in one day.

And the results were very different.

Selling Two Homes at the Same Time

Here’s what happened:

• One was our personal home
• The other was my first real estate flip
• One sold $40,000 over asking in 24 hours
• The other sold off-market before it even listed

And no, we didn’t plan it that way.

But it created a perfect real-world example of what actually works in this market.

The Neighborhood That Changes Everything

Both homes were in Rockhill Gardens in Waldo, a neighborhood full of nearly identical homes.

These are called Dybul Tudors, built with repeatable floor plans:

• Dining room on one side
• Living room on the other
• Stairs in the middle
• Galley kitchen in the back

So when buyers walk through these homes…

They’re comparing small differences, not big ones.

That’s where strategy comes in.

What We Actually Did to Prep Our Home

We didn’t gut it. We didn’t over-renovate.

We focused on what actually moves the needle:

• Fresh paint throughout
• Refinished hardwood floors
• Updated light fixtures
• Minor kitchen improvements

The biggest win?

The floors.

They went from worn and outdated to clean and modern, which completely changed how the home showed.

The underrated win?

Counter space.

We extended the kitchen counters in a layout where most homes feel tight. Buyers notice that immediately.

The Flip That Completely Changed the Outcome

Now the house across the street…

This is where we took a different approach.

Instead of working with the layout, we reworked it.

Here’s what we changed:

• Moved the kitchen to the front
• Opened the entire main floor
• Removed walls to create flow
• Added direct garage access
• Turned the old kitchen into a mudroom + laundry
• Installed a custom dog wash

That last one sounds small.

It wasn’t.

It was one of the reasons a buyer wrote an offer.

Original vs Reimagined Layout (Why It Matters)

Original Layout:

• Closed-off kitchen
• Separate living spaces
• No functional flow
• No garage access

Reimagined Layout:

• Open concept
• Kitchen in a more social position
• Mudroom + laundry on main level
• Direct garage entry
• Unique features that stand out

Same house.

Completely different experience.

What the Numbers Really Looked Like

Here’s what matters:

• Prep time: ~2–3 weeks
• Days on market: 1
• Final sale: $40K over asking
• Flip: Sold off-market

And here’s the kicker:

Homes next door sold the year before for less…
even with more square footage.

That tells you everything you need to know.

Why These Homes Sold So Differently

It comes down to one word:

Positioning

Not:

• Square footage
• Number of bedrooms
• Even the neighborhood

But how the home:

• Shows
• Feels
• Compares to others

And something unexpected helped…

Having the flip across the street gave buyers a direct comparison, which increased urgency and interest.

What We Would Do Again (And What We Wouldn’t)

Do:

• Refinish floors first
• Focus on layout where possible
• Make small changes that improve function
• Stage and present the home well

Don’t:

• Over-renovate for the neighborhood
• Ignore how the home flows
• Assume bigger = better
• Skip the prep work

Why We Loved Living in Waldo

This wasn’t just about selling.

It was about lifestyle.

We loved being able to walk to:

• McLain's Bakery
• City Barrel Pizza and Patio
• Front Range Coffeehouse

Everything was close. Everything felt connected.

That’s what makes Waldo and nearby areas like Brookside so appealing.

Where We Moved and Why

This was the real decision:

• Stay in the city?
• Move to the suburbs?
• Go to the Kansas side?

We went back and forth.

Then we found a home in Brookside (Oak Meyer Gardens).

• 4 bedrooms
• In our price range
• 3 minutes from our current house

So yes, we moved.

But we didn’t leave our lifestyle.

And that was the deciding factor.

What This Means If You’re Moving to KC

If you’re relocating, here’s what this tells you:

• Many KC neighborhoods have similar home styles
• Value comes from updates and layout, not just size
• Walkability is a major lifestyle driver
• Small location changes can keep your lifestyle intact

If you’re deciding between areas, this is exactly the kind of nuance that matters.

FAQ: Selling a Home in Kansas City

How fast are homes selling right now?
Well-positioned homes can sell in days. Others sit. Strategy matters.

Is it worth updating before selling?
Yes, but only strategically. Not all updates pay off.

What adds the most value?
Floors, paint, layout improvements, and functionality.

Want to Know What Your Home Could Sell For?

If you’re even thinking about moving…

The first step isn’t listing your home.
It’s understanding your options.

👉 Get a personalized home value + strategy here:
movingtokc.net/info

We’ll break down:

• What your home could realistically sell for
• What (if anything) you should update
• Whether it makes sense to move right now

No pressure. Just real numbers and a clear plan.