The Little Remodel that Could
Before…
…After!
I think the reason people love real estate so much is because, as Americans, we love a good rags to riches story. Any old, ordinary and dated home can become something wonderful with the right amount of work and creativity. Yet, so many people are afraid of taking the leap. They want to watch the Cinderella story but they don't want to do it. They don't feel they have what it takes to execute the various projects to get it there -- or the money to pay for it. So they file it away under "Dreams Deferred".
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes of all time. Thomas Edison once said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
Well, if it weren't for my brother's work ethic, I can safely assume that I would not be writing this blog post right now. That is because the home that he purchased was an honest to gosh wreck. Built sometime in the early 50s (we can't confirm the exact year), this 900 square foot ranch home sits on an acre lot on Main Street in Westport, Ky. Right next to 'Knock on Wood', the town's main restaurant.
We found a perfectly intact copy of the Oldham Era from November 21st, 1952, that was left inside of the wall. So that gave us a pretty clear idea that the early 50s were when this house came together. Finding it while tearing out drywall was a real treat. This was a time where doctors endorsed cigarette brands and the Sadie Hawkins dance was big news. I personally love the announcement that reads "County Judge James A. Hall, Beach Craigmyle, Alton Ross, A. B. Pollard, and J. T. Clifton, left early this week for Virginia on a deer hunting trip." That's all it says. No Facebook. The only way to tell the town what you were up to was to get it in the paper.
Now, I could go into all the detail in the world about the work my brother put in. I could share all the snags we hit along the way and the creative mindset that it took to see the project through to the end... but I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves.
As you look at the photos, keep these numbers in your head: my brother purchased the house for $98,000. He installed new insulation, drywall, trim, electric, HVAC, kitchen cabinets, appliances, and luxury vinyl floors. He also cleared the overgrown brush that had taken over the backyard. That alone was a huge selling point.
He did most of the work himself and only delegated a few of the larger items. We listed it for $149,900 and sold it for $153,500 after receiving 4 offers and too many inquiries to count. I received calls on the house every single day for weeks!
For just 2 years of owning a home, that's a healthy profit! Especially as a first-time home buyer. He was sad to leave, but the skills and lessons learned are priceless. He will use the knowledge he gained for the rest of his life. Looking at how grim the before photos appear, I doubt most people would take that kind of risk on their first house. However, with high risk comes high reward, if you are willing to do one thing: HARD. WORK!
Special thanks to MJ Gowen Photography for the photos!
