My first home investment project
Some people call these types of houses flips, but to me that doesn’t tell the real story of the project I’m undertaking.
If you’ve read any of this blog at all—or listened to the podcast—you’ll know that I LOVE homes. And it’s not just about the shape or features. I love “the why” behind it. I value what happens to homeowners among the bricks and sticks. The memories, moments and the growth of the families who live in it day-to-day.
Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, homes become less loved. Nature starts taking over the facade. Inside, walls and appliances are dated, smokey, dusty or infested. Essentially, the homes are forgotten. And when they are forgotten, they lose their luster. People stop seeing their potential. They just see work.
And that’s the ultimate catalyst to why I bought my first investment project at auction.
At first glance—the landscape
When I walked up to this West End Richmond home, I instantly got a picture of what this 1960sq ft brick rancher was to the family.
First, the yard was quite overgrown. (This picture doesn’t do it justice.) Weeds were everywhere. Grass was tall. And the shrubbery was so out of control it crowded the house, making it seem neglected. That first visual can make some people nervous about what’s to come.
“Some people call these types of houses flips, but to me that doesn’t tell the real story of the project I’m undertaking.”
Beyond the weeds and rampant foliage, you know what I saw? A once-mature landscape curated from an avid gardener who probably was unable to keep up with the tasks. And to me, that was a HUGE selling point. You see, cutting back foliage, weeding, trimming and replanting is just labor. But having to build and define a landscape to make an impact is costly.
I could work with this! In fact, as an avid gardener, it would be my pleasure.
As it turns out, I was right. The previous owner took pride in her yard, but was sick for 4 years. When her daughter saw what it had become of the outside, she cried. I believe that the outside is the beginning of your entire home experience, so reviving this landscape will be a critical element to the transformation.
Once loved, but dated
Once inside, I got a similar vibe. The floors were in great shape. The owner had invested in new windows. And while the roof and AC unit were older, they were well serviced. But the aesthetics were quite dated.
There was wallpaper in every room. You know, the 1980s kind with a border. There was wood paneling in one room. (Real cedar, though. Not the cheap stuff.) And one bathroom with an avocado toilet and sink combo. And another with floor-to-ceiling buff tile. (I was originally calling the tile nude, like the pantyhose, but it made me throw up a little.)
The kitchen was sizable. Large enough for a table, so that you could repurpose the dining room as an office. It also had the original wall oven. And while I’m sure the 1961 appliance still worked, replacing that was a must. (Though if anyone out there wants a perfectly good, vintage wall oven, hit me up! I’m selling it.)
But other than that, it was one of the larger rancher I’d seen and the floor plan was fantastic.
The decision maker
It only took one walk through to know this house was going to be my first revitalization project.
Obviously the yard appealed to me. And solid bones were a plus. But what sealed the deal was the dainty housecoat hanging on the back of the bathroom door. It was a modest, pink satin robe, perfectly placed on a dusty rose hanger. When I saw it, I knew the owner of that garment took impeccable care of everything they touched. That robe wrapped up the story. It was that moment that I vowed to bring the house back to life.
And even though the house was being sold as-is. Even though the yard was a hot mess and removing all that wallpaper might honestly kill me, the house was loved once—and should be loved again.
I also gave the house a name. I call her Daisy—a delicate floral name symbolizing the birth of spring. I might even keep the robe dangling there for inspiration.