Reframing Value: How a Modern Home Outperformed Market Expectations
The Successful Sale of 205 Mannakee Street
We are excited to share the story of this exceptional architectural home at 205 Mannakee Street in Rockville, Maryland. This sale highlights how thoughtful positioning, design-focused marketing, and an understanding of architectural value can transform the outcome for a modern home.
Property Highlights
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Designed by the Canadian architectural firm Lynch + Comisso: Architecture + Light, as their own family residence. Completed with a rare level of intention and detail.
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Contemporary and Mid-Century Modern influences throughout, including a dramatic two-story volume and a luminous wall of insulated glass that fills the home with natural light.
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Private outdoor spaces wrapped in bamboo, an open floor plan, a main-level suite, a flexible den that can convert to a third bedroom, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
- Built in 1998 with approximately 2,146 sq ft of living space on a 6,400 sq ft lot.
The Challenge
When this home was preparing to enter the market, neighborhood experts suggested pricing nearly 20 percent below its true architectural value. The recommendation came from a traditional viewpoint that did not recognize the importance of its architecture, design pedigree, or the niche audience that actively seeks homes like this.
Our Approach
We developed a strategy to align the home with the right audience.
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Architectural story-telling: Centering the identity of the home, its design intent, and the rare architectural elements that set it apart.
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Tailored marketing: Leveraging channels and networks where modern architecture enthusiasts, collectors, and design-focused buyers are most engaged.
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Intentional positioning: Presenting the home as a significant architectural residence rather than a standard neighborhood listing.
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Thoughtful presentation: Using photography, copy, and visual details that highlighted the home’s volume, transparency, bamboo garden, and material palette.
The Outcome
This targeted strategy brought the home to its true audience.
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Multiple offers were generated.
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Interest escalated above the asking price.
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The final result reflected the home’s architectural value.
Key Takeaways for Selling a Modern Home
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Architectural homes appeal to a specific buyer segment, and the strategy must reflect that.
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Storytelling matters. Unique design features should be presented with intention and clarity.
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Pricing should be rooted in architectural value, not just neighborhood comparables.
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It is not about reaching the most buyers, but the right ones.
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Strong presentation elevates the home and supports that narrative.
Closing Perspective
This sale demonstrates how architecture-forward marketing creates meaningful results. When a home has strong design DNA, its story deserves to be told with accuracy, passion, and care. By connecting with the community of modern home enthusiasts and presenting the property with intention, we helped ensure this architectural gem reached buyers who truly valued it.
At listModern, this is not an added service. It is our entire focus. We understand the niche market for architect-designed homes, we know how to speak to design-driven buyers, and we have built the audience, tools, and expertise to showcase modern architecture at its highest level.
If you are considering selling a modern home or want to understand its true market potential, reach out to us. The right strategy begins with understanding the architecture, and that is where we excel.
