If you’ve been following along for a while, you may remember that we’ve been in the rental-property world for more than a decade. Twelve years, to be exact. It started as a smart investment and a hands-on way to build something for the future. But life has a funny way of reshaping priorities.
As we settled into life in the country and welcomed three amazing kids, we realized that juggling full-time parenting, life on acreage, and the constant responsibility of managing rental properties wasn’t a long-term recipe for peace. Rental properties can be rewarding—they really can—but they also come with stress, surprise repairs, phone calls at inconvenient hours, and a mental load that doesn’t always quit. After selling two of our three rentals in 2019, we exhaled. It was time to shift our focus.
Fast-forward to now, and we’re officially ready for a new adventure—one that feels more aligned with our life today, and still lets us roll up our sleeves and create something meaningful.
A few months ago, we bought the house directly across the road from ours. Yep—just a short stroll from the front door. It’s a split-level home sitting on roughly three acres of peaceful countryside. The previous owners, our long-time neighbors, both passed away in recent years, and the home has been mostly untouched and unoccupied since early 2020. An estate auction came and went without a buyer, and the house waited quietly for its next chapter.
Meanwhile, the housing market in our area has been buzzing—homes selling fast and often above asking. Every time we looked across the road, we saw possibility. A chance to bring a well-loved house back to life, create something beautiful, and learn a ton in the process. So we took the leap.
This isn’t just another property—it’s a project with heart. It’s close enough that the kids can wander over to say hi, and we can pop in and out without making a whole day of it. Ryan is teaming up with my dad (a duo who get stuff done) and watching them work together again has been the sweetest full-circle moment.
We’re not turning this into another rental—this time, it will be our very first flip. A refresh, a revival, and a chance to turn a well-cared-for but dated home into something bright, modern, and move-in ready.
Thankfully, the bones of the home are solid: newer roof, windows, and utilities. Time and dust did their thing, but nothing that elbow grease and imagination can’t fix. Think deep cleaning, thoughtful upgrades, fresh finishes, and a big dose of charm. Four bedrooms, tons of natural light, sweeping views, outdoor space to roam… and, of course, incredible neighbors (if we do say so ourselves 😉).
Before we began, I snapped photos of the house as it stood—quiet and waiting. Since then, demolition has happened, rooms have been painted (every inch, thanks to my dad), and bathrooms are already transforming. The progress has been fast, and the vision is starting to shine through.
We’ve uncovered a few surprises along the way—like original floors under layers of life (fun to discover, though not staying) and a stunning hidden vaulted ceiling in the sunroom, tucked behind stained ceiling tiles. Talk about a design-lover’s treasure hunt.
Our goal isn’t to gut and rebuild—it’s to honor what’s here, make smart updates, modernize with intention, and bring warmth and function back into every space. It’s a balance: design with restraint, elevate thoughtfully, work efficiently, and stay within a reasonable budget. And yes… do it all within just a few months.
It’s exciting, a little wild, and exactly the challenge we were craving. I can’t wait to share the transformation as it unfolds—and then, hopefully, welcome a wonderful new family into this sweet little spot in the world.
The only question now is…
Who’s ready to move in and be our neighbors?