Mark Fansler

M Vincent Assets LLc in Wilmington, DE

Mark Fansler with Linda Goldstein

We purchased this property from a wholesaler we meet through our local REIA, DelREIA. We purchased the property for $12,000 less than the asking price, but it was a WIN-WIN-WIN for the seller, wholesaler, and for us as the buyer! We used a private money lender for the purchase price and rehab costs. After deciding to change the renovation from 3 to 4 bedrooms and from a carport to garage, we needed additional rehab funds, which we secured from another PML in the Mastery program.rnrnThe house was owned by an elderly gentleman who moved into a nursing home due to failing health and dementia. He lived alone and never cleaned the house, and he never threw anything away! It took us at least a week to empty the house, and we filled dumpsters in the process. We gutted the main living area to create an open-concept space for the living room, dining room, and kitchen. By removing all of the walls, the steps to the basement and basement itself were visible. We built a new set of stairs, finished the basement, and installed a custom-built hand rail on 2 sides of the stairway. We refaced the two fireplaces with a bold, modern tile. We brought a step-down, outside porch up and into the living room space. We refinished all of the original hardwood floors, and feathered new hardwood into areas that did not have it originally (ie, kitchen, side porch). We replaced all of the windows -- black in the front and white everywhere else – with high-quality, energy efficient units. We installed solid wood cabinetry and quartzite countertops in the kitchen. Throughout the house, including all door hinges and hardware, we used oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and hardware. All of the systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) were replaced. Plumbing pipes and fittings were replaced from outside the house to each sink, tub, and toilet. Much of the existing electrical system had to be moved to accommodate the open-concept space, and all outlets and switches were updated. We moved the furnace to the attic, and we added central air, including all new ductwork. We also installed a mini-split heater/AC in the newly finished basement. All existing plaster walls and ceilings were covered with drywall to ensure consistent and smooth surfaces for painting. The back office area was reconfigured so that we could add a full bath, hallway coat closet, and a fourth bedroom with a large closet. We converted the carport to a garage, complete with a mid-century modern-style garage door with opener. We painted the exterior of the house, highlighting the large chimney with a bold accent color. We also did a complete landscape makeover. The house and driveway had been completely overgrown with bushes and trees, so we removed all of the bushes and four large trees. We also added a 5-foot privacy fence that enclosed the entire backyard. We were careful to install a large gate so that mowers and other maintenance equipment could move about the yard easily.