A Missouri couple revealed how they managed to get their dream home for less than a grand by purchasing an abandoned property.
Sarah, 32, and Josh Feldsche, 35, decided they had to get creative when looking for a new home because they realized they wouldn’t be able to afford anything on the market.
The couple looked at alternative options, including foreclosures and short sales, attended an auction and decided to make a few bids, without realizing the success they would have.
With a bit of luck, the couple got their dream home for just $700: a three-bedroom mobile home on a four-acre lot near where the Missourians both grew up.
Sarah, 32, and Josh Feldsche, 35, bought an abandoned house on a large property in their native Missouri for just $700
The couple documented the process of cleaning out and renovating the house on TikTok – and subsequently gained more than 12,000 followers
The three-bedroom home also has a rear porch. “We stand on our porch and realize we have found our forever country home,” Sarah added
The couple knew they would not be able to afford a home at market price
All the while, the couple had been sharing their journey on TikTok, where they’ve amassed more than 12,200 followers documenting the transformation of their bargain under the joint name @sarahxjosh.
“We were so excited when we bought the property and realized what we had gotten for that $700,” Sarah from Missouri told NeedToknow.co.uk.
‘We bought this property blind and, to be honest, just wanted the land. The house was a pleasant surprise.’
The couple settled where they both grew up and were thrilled with their mobile home, which also had a lot on the lake.
“The purchase involved four acres, as well as a small shed and some items left behind by the previous owners,” Sarah continued, also highlighting the “cool features” in the house, including “a built-in stereo and the original wooden paneling. .’
‘Fortunately, many of the remaining items were useful and necessary. Other items we focus on cleaning up and removing.’
Despite the very low price tag, the house was in ‘generally good condition’, needing only a thorough cleaning and basic household repairs such as new faucets and wallpaper.
“We spent three weekends cleaning every surface of the house,” she continued.
After acquiring the abandoned property, the couple set about renovating the house that belonged to it
They have spent $300 renovating the house so far. The photo shows the hallway in their new residence
Sarah said the house came with ‘stuff left behind from the previous owners’
‘The land is in good condition. There are some trash-like items around, but we will work to remove them over time.
‘We have no budget for the land. We plan to slowly acquire items as we find them and build them into the property we have dreamed of.
“A big goal of ours is using found and repurposed items or items that we can purchase at auctions, yard sales or estate sales.”
So far, they’ve spent just $300 renovating the house and plan to spend another $1,000 on fresh paint, decorations and furnishings.
One major risk was the abandoned property, which left the couple vulnerable to eviction.
During the first year the previous owners had the right to reclaim the property, but luckily that window opened and closed without any sign of the former occupants.
So the house officially belongs to Sarah and Josh.
The purchase included four hectares of land next to the house
The back porch of the house offers a beautiful view of the wooded area
The pair have not encountered any unexpected problems and are happier than ever in their home.
“We have been fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who support us and appreciate the move back into occupancy,” Sarah said.
‘The warm welcome from not only the immediate neighbors, but from the entire city has only confirmed that we have made the right choice.
‘It’s been a wonderful journey so far. We had wanted a property like this for years and as adults we had fallen in love with the area all over again.
‘We (both) grew up in the countryside with gardens and animals and we just want to get back there after living in the US for years.
‘We imagine cows, goats, chickens and a gigantic garden. We just want a place to be together, spend that time and spoil our dogs.”
The house also has a rear porch with a view of the wooded area.
“Every time we stand on our porch and realize we’ve found our forever country home, we realize how worth it it all was,” Sarah added.
“It takes time to research the properties and find the right properties to focus on, but there are great properties that just need a little elbow grease.”