On their show “Fixer to Fabulous,” Dave and Jenny Marrs know full well that homes can be full of surprises, but the renovation project in their latest episode is hiding not just one, but two shockers.
In the episode “Historic House Revival,” their employee Derek Hillyer asks them to work on the 100-year-old Craftsman he and his wife, Kristen, have just purchased for $210,000. They have a renovation budget of $150,000 to make it livable for them and their two young kids.
The Marrses see the home as brimming with potential and find all sorts of ways to reuse original materials and finishes so that it maintains a sense of history, but also benefits from all the modern amenities of today.
As they work, the Marrses come up with all sorts of clever tips that just might work in our own homes, historic or modern. They also share one place where homeowners can save major renovation bucks.
One front door is enough
House with three front doors
HGTV
For some reason, the house has three front doors. One of them is particularly curious, as it was installed on the porch, and leads to nowhere!
No one knows exactly why there are so many doors on the front of the house, but Dave and Jenny realize that doors take up valuable indoor wall space. And they look absurd.
First on their agenda is to get rid of two of the three strange doors, then create a beautiful new one that will infinitely amplify the home’s curb appeal.
The same home, minus two front doors
HGTV
Check underneath newer siding for original siding
A snake emerges from the siding.
HGTV
When checking out the siding on the exterior, Dave and Jenny encounter a surprise lurking underneath.
“Oh, my Lord!” Jenny yells as a garter snake slithers out.
Although it was harmless, Dave plays up this encounter.
“A python, 34 feet long … it will come up to strike and just missed me. I jumped a little bit,” he spins.
But it was all worth it, because underneath the new siding is the home’s original siding, which happens to be in great shape.
“What a great surprise for a homeowner,” Dave says. “You just hand them $7,000 worth of free siding. We are going to bring back some of the original history of this house. We are going to eliminate snakes, everyone wins!”
Take advantage of attic space
Unfinished attic
HGTV
“We have this amazing attic space that hasn’t been used at all,” says Jenny as she and Dave ascend a ladderlike staircase to the attic. “We need to create this whimsical spot for Derek and Kristin’s kids to have their bedrooms, a bathroom, and a play space.”
In planning, she adds, “I feel like we might need to put some dormers up here just to bump out the space and give us some more room.”
They did this in their own house and are confident they’ll be able to add space and value to this home. What an improvement!
Renovated attic space
HGTV
Installing a new staircase is easier than it seems
Installing level staircase stringers
HGTV
A new staircase is definitely needed to reach the attic, as the current one is little more than a retractable ladder. It sounds complicated, but Dave is not daunted in the least.
“Installing a new staircase is really pretty straightforward,” he says. “We just have to install these stringers, making sure the treads are level.”
The “stringers” are the wooden supports on both sides of the staircase that hold the treads, or steps. You can see how if they’re not level, it would throw the whole staircase off.
They take great care in the construction and application of the stringers.
“I can tell you right now, this staircase is more level than this house,” says Dave proudly.
Create a memorabilia wall
A concert ticket memorabilia wall behind the bar
HGTV
Derek and Kristin love concerts, and they’ve saved all the tickets from every one they’ve attended. Jenny gets a hold of this ticket collection and decides to create a “modge podge” ticket accent wall in the office/den/bar room.
“It turned out so cool,” says Jenny while styling it. “You doubted me, and I have to admit I doubted myself, but I feel really good about this one,” she tells Dave. He agrees 100%.
In the end, it really does look like a completely different house. Not only have bedrooms and bathrooms been added, but it’s been restored to its original glory.
“It’s just incredible that it’s our house,” says Kristin. “I knew Dave and Jenny were going to be right for this house, because they have so much experience renovating historical homes. But I just had no idea that they were going to make it so special and so wonderful. I’m so thankful.”
The post ‘Oh, My Lord!’: Dave and Jenny Marrs of ‘Fixer to Fabulous’ Reveal Where $7K May Be Hiding in a House appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.