My husband balked at the Bright Green Egg Chair I just ordered for the middle of our living room (fun, right?) He said, “I have good taste, that isn’t going to look good there.” Now, he does happen to have good taste, and generally likes how I decorate, but it’s funny how everyone thinks they have good taste. That’s how you still have cherry cabinets and dated granite being put in spec homes by the hundreds.

This is why I recommend, when developing a specification, to get a second opinion because it’s easy to start going off too far in one direction. If your broker is a prominent broker in the area, it is a good idea to run the finishes by them before anything is ordered; to make sure what you are buying is going to sell the home. Don’t be afraid to involve them in the design process, after all in my case, my brokers generally get the commission on the buy and sell. Some hands on design two-sense is part of working with me. You might very well have a great design sense, but if it doesn’t parlay to what is in demand in your area and demographic of buyers, then it won’t sell.

After showing my broker the specifications I had developed so far, she changed a few things based on her recommendations:

• 
  

  Hardwood in the Master: I am officially a cold person, like always freezing, so I like carpet in the bedrooms, especially during the TN winter. She vetoed this, said absolutely people want hardwood no matter what. I reluctantly agreed to change.

  
  

• 
  

  Master Vanities: I liked the old vanities, because they had original Carrera marble tops, and were in the perfect place. But, they were too short (because people were smaller in the 60’s when they were installed), and Beth said that the master bath is too key to no replace.

  
  

• 
  

  Carpet: I showed her some carpet selections that I thought were fine, and the look on her face was enough to go back to the carpet store an pick the expensive wool woven ones.

  
  

• 
  

  Exterior: My broker introduced me to a lovely well-known landscape architect in town, named Elizatheth Pogue (Elizabethpogue.com), and she made some recommendations that were very helpful and “blessed” my overall plan. One thing that surprised me, was moving the outdoor grill close to house, apparently Nashvillians like to grill in the Winter.

  
  

Overall, however, most everything was well received. Having her input gives me reassurance that I am investing in the correct finishes, and the home will sell quickly. Cross your fingers with me.

Development Takeaway: Try not to get emotionally attached to the design of a project, you aren’t going to live there. Make sure the finishes you are choosing match the level (cost and quality) and demand of that area.