A couple has transformed an abandoned mansion into an incredible, modern home – adding £588,100 ($745,000) to the property value in the process.
Abby Brothers, 33, and husband Trey, 35, purchased the rundown property in June 2018 after spotting it online, having sat untouched for over 30 years.
Snapping up the home, built in 1913, for £122,399 ($155,000), they knew the property would be a full-scale renovation project.
Sharing their DIY journey on Instagram (@turningthepagemansion ), the duo have quickly gained over 26,000 views.
“When we saw the home in person we knew it was our home, but it looked so sad and dilapidated,” Abby, a registered nurse, told NeedToKnow.
“Many people told us we were crazy for buying a home of this size that needed that much work.”
Measuring 6,000 sq ft, the colonial revival brick manor in the Aberdeen, North Carolina, boasts six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large foyer with a grand staircase, a kitchen which opens up to the dining room, a study, a living room, and a large attic.
She said: “We wanted to restore our home into just that – a home.
“It was originally built for a family and we wanted to keep her that way, it is our forever home.
“Everything needed to be updated, everything was original, the plumbing, electricity, windows, walls, were all from 1913.
“There was no central air conditioning, which is crucial for the hot North Carolina summers, there was radiator heat, but it was extremely difficult to heat the home, so this was also replaced and the radiators removed.
“Our home had sat abandoned for a long time, estimated over 30 years, and had many leaks in the roof which led to serious water damage, the worst being in the dining room.
“We couldn’t walk into the dining room completely because the floor had given way and was in the basement, therefore this entire side of the home required new floor joist and flooring and the roof was repaired and replaced.”
To start, the couple replaced all the windows and the exterior brick in multiple areas.
She said: “We helped with the demo and we also had our hand in every project, in some form or fashion.
“Trey refinished the terrazzo floors in the bathrooms and made the concrete countertops in the kitchen/pantry.
“Trey, his mum and stepdad laid all of the tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, with the exception of one bathroom – my family and I laid the tile and that was enough tile laying for me, but we have done all of the interior painting ourselves.
“We also added in a sleeping porch, we used it as storage initially, but decided to convert it into a second ‘hang out’ spot.
“Inside it is complete with a lounge, TV, and even a mini fridge!”
In total, the transformation took nine months, with the couple finishing just in time to welcome their son Wim in December 2020.
Doing as much DIY as possible, the project cost £211,800 ($268,494).
However, in the process of restoring the property, they have increased the value of the home dramatically, with it now estimated to be worth £710,100 ($900,000)
She said: “Our home is priceless to us. We loved our home when it was falling apart, but that love has grown even more.
“Because we live here, we see all of the flaws, but to know how far our home has come, the flaws can be overlooked.
“Our home is unique and strong, but simple and cosy at the same time.
“We are just an ordinary couple that happened in an extraordinary home.”
“We’d advise anyone and everyone to purchase an old home and fix it up, if possible.
“We are always looking at older homes in the area, well anywhere really.
“If we had the money we would save another old home, in a heartbeat.”
The couple have now also introduced a new family member to the home, their daughter Eloise, who is now seven-months-old.
She added: “We are so excited for Christmas as a family of four, we have four large trees and two small ones.
“We have put lights up the staircases, in the windows, and even around the porch.
“When the holidays are over we have some more work to do, but for now, were just enjoying the festive season as a family.”
Sharing their incredible transformation on Instagram, they gained over 1,700 likes and loads of comments from impressed viewers.
One person said: “You two are amazing !!!!! Your home is beautiful!!!”
Debra wrote: “She is a sexy house now.”
Another person commented: “You did her right!! What a beauty!”
“By far still my favorite home on instagram,” added someone else.
Kathleen said: “Wow what a money pit! amazing job though!”
COST BREAKDOWN:
Masonry $5,000 (£3,900)
Siding $3,600 (£2,800)
Roof $27,900 (£22,000)
Windows $22,800 (£18,000)
Partition Wall $24,100 (£19,000)
Plaster/drywall $32,000 (£25,200)
Wood trim $2,500 (£1,900)
Wood floors $28,200 (£22,200)
Plumbing $26,600- (£20,900)
Electrical $30,000 (£23,600)
Heating $44,800 (£35,300)
Insulation $13,000 (£10,200)
Cleanup $10,700 (£8,400)
Miscellaneous $2,000 (£1,500)
Total: $268,400 (£211,800)
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