Betsy Martin

Serenity Realty Solutions LLC in Florissant, MO

We recently completed and sold our very first renovation, this adorable 1932 brick bungalow. We acquired the property on a lead from our awesome, investor-friendly realtor who happened to live next door. The owner planned to do the rehab but decided not to after starting to gut the house, then realizing the amount of work needed. We funded the project with a purchase and construction loan to our business, Serenity Realty Solutions, with a local bank. This was a total rehab- a new roof and gutters, brick tuckpointing, sidewalk, new deck and gate, all new plumbing, all new electric wiring and lighting, new ductwork and vents, new kitchen and bathrooms, and new doors and newly finished basement. The original hardwood floors were saved and refinished. The home was reconfigured from a 1 bedroom, 1 bath to a 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home by removing/ adding walls, moving a staircase and finishing a walkout basement. Livable space was increased by 600 feet. It was a struggle to find available, quality contractors at the time of purchase, so we faced challenges with the contractors we used. Lesson learned! The rehab took longer than we anticipated-7 months to complete but it did turn out beautifully! We sold the house in three days to a happy, first-time buyer couple, after multiple offers well over the listing price!