Thinking about selling your Country Club home in Edina? The right historic details can be the difference between a good offer and a great one. You want to honor your home’s character while speaking to today’s buyers and the City’s preservation rules. In this guide, you’ll learn which original features consistently sell, what to repair or update, how local approvals work, and how to market your home with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Why Edina’s Country Club stands out
The Edina Country Club District is a planned neighborhood platted starting in 1924, with about 555 homes across roughly 14 blocks. It is bounded by Minnehaha Creek, Sunnyside Road, Arden Avenue, and West 50th Street. The district is recognized locally with a Heritage Preservation overlay and a Plan of Treatment that guide changes to properties. You can find district history, boundaries, and guidelines on the City of Edina’s page for the Edina Country Club District.
Lifestyle also matters here. Proximity to private clubs, including the historic Edina Country Club, adds to buyer appeal, along with walkable access to 50th & France shopping and dining.
Exterior details buyers notice
Buyers look for authentic period‑revival features. Highlight:
- Original masonry and trim such as brick or stone facades, arched entries, cornices, and intact woodwork.
- Rooflines and chimneys with steep gables, complex hips, original chimneys, and slate or tile roofing where present.
- Windows and doors including multi‑pane or leaded glass, decorative surrounds, and original hardware.
- Porches and terraces that retain their original forms and materials.
- Mature trees and landscaping that frame the home and preserve planned street views.
These details align with the district’s dominant styles (English Tudor, Colonial Revival, Georgian, and Mediterranean/Spanish Revival) and are often central to value.
Interior character that sells
Inside, the goal is to showcase craftsmanship and comfort:
- Millwork and built‑ins such as wainscoting, bookcases, hutches, and crown mouldings.
- Hardwood floors and original stair details.
- Fireplace surrounds with tile, stone, or carved mantels.
- Formal dining rooms and butler’s pantries that reflect the home’s era.
- Leaded or stained glass and original knobs, latches, and hinges.
Prepare your home the preservation‑smart way
Repair before replace
Follow preservation best practices that protect historic integrity and buyer confidence. Prioritize repair of original windows and woodwork, use appropriate repointing for masonry, and avoid harsh cleaning methods. See the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for context on sensitive work and materials selection in the NPS rehabilitation standards.
Upgrades that respect history
Thoughtful updates can deliver comfort without erasing character:
- Kitchens and baths updated for function while keeping scale and trim consistent with the home.
- Mechanical systems including modern HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and insulation installed in ways that avoid harming historic fabric.
- Exterior maintenance such as like‑for‑like roof repair, careful tuckpointing, and paint in appropriate palettes.
For energy and systems improvements that are compatible with historic fabric, review the NPS guidelines for rehabilitating historic buildings.
Assemble documentation and provenance
Collect items that build trust and support appraisal:
- Historic photos, model‑home literature, or architect references (Thorpe model homes and Liebenberg & Kaplan are notable in the district).
- Completed permits and warranties for major systems, roof, foundation, and masonry.
- Any City documentation from the district survey or Plan of Treatment (see the City’s Country Club District resources).
Market the story with premium presentation
Photography checklist
Aim for a photo set that tells the home’s architectural story:
- Front elevation with roofline and mature landscaping.
- Close‑ups of leaded or stained glass, entry surrounds, chimneys, and brick or stone details.
- Interiors that highlight millwork, built‑ins, fireplace surrounds, formal rooms, and updated kitchen or baths.
- Detail shots of hardware, flooring, and stair parts.
Listing copy that builds trust
Use concise, factual language:
- Note year built, style, notable materials, and any preserved original features.
- Reference the home’s location within the Heritage Preservation overlay and invite buyers to discuss permitted changes.
- Mention proximity to Edina Country Club, Interlachen Country Club, and 50th & France amenities.
Know the rules and set expectations
The Country Club District’s Heritage Preservation overlay means certain changes require review. Street‑facing alterations, demolitions, and new primary structures typically need a Certificate of Appropriateness. Be transparent in your listing and during showings so buyers understand what is possible. The City outlines processes and restrictions on the Edina Country Club District page.
This review environment can narrow the pool of teardown‑focused buyers, but it also helps preserve the neighborhood’s architectural integrity. That scarcity often supports value for intact historic homes.
Pricing and appraisal notes
Historic designation and original features can justify a premium compared to similar non‑historic lots, but appraisers rely on local comparable sales. Use recent solds within the Country Club District for the best guidance and provide your documentation package to the appraiser. For broad context, recent market summaries show Edina’s median sale price in the mid to high six figures. You can review a current snapshot on the Edina market report, then refine pricing with hyper‑local comps.
Quick prep checklist
- Fix first impressions: tune up masonry, repair trim, refresh paint, and prune landscaping.
- Preserve high‑value details: maintain original windows, floors, millwork, and fireplace surrounds.
- Modernize where it counts: safe, updated systems with documentation.
- Prepare your records: permits, warranties, historic references, and survey links.
- Align your marketing: photos and copy that spotlight authentic features and district context.
When you’re ready to sell, partner with a team that can translate character into results. With construction fluency and premium marketing, The DesMarais Team will help you position your Country Club home to stand out and sell with confidence.
FAQs
Do I need City approval to change my Country Club home’s front facade?
- Yes. Street‑facing alterations, demolitions, and new primary structures in the Heritage Preservation overlay typically require a Certificate of Appropriateness; see the City’s guidance on the Edina Country Club District page.
Does historic designation affect financing or my ability to sell?
- Designation does not prevent a sale; lenders and appraisers evaluate condition and comps, and providing repair records and documentation can reduce financing friction.
Can I get tax credits for restoring my owner‑occupied Country Club home?
- Federal rehabilitation tax credits generally apply to income‑producing certified projects, and Minnesota’s state programs have varied rules, so consult SHPO and a tax professional before assuming eligibility; see the NPS rehabilitation standards for context.
Which historic details should I highlight in my listing?
- Feature the year built, style, preserved exterior materials, interior millwork and built‑ins, mature trees, and proximity to local clubs and 50th & France, and note the home’s location within the Heritage Preservation overlay with a reference to the City’s district resources.
