I got another old lady hoarder house flip – as-is. These homes are always the most disgusting… but always become my favorite.
And yes, flips are getting much harder in this market. In my underwriting, I’ll try to double the value, and get a 13 cap. But sentimentally, beneath the old lady diapers, mice turds and filth, this particularly splendid home in its time (built in 1901 by a 2nd generation Wisconsinite born in 1853) has gems of 4 generations of family that lived here. As there are no next of kin or immediate relatives, I’d like to bring a little life to this pioneering family.
It was impossible not to sift through the early 1900s letters, picture books, antique furniture and dishes, European cut jewelry, children’s scrap books and games from the 1920s and so much more that was almost overwhelming. My favorite was the 1873 Tammany Hall Piggy Bank mocking the contemporary political corruption and a Rolly Polly Clown. Even 150 years ago, the public and craftsmen had a good sense of humor. Practically no updates were done since the gas lighting was updated to knob and tube electric circa 1920. I could do without the coal octopus furnace though. Think A Christmas Story “It’s a clinker!” And watch out, so you don’t fall into that cistern! The old photos in the attic really added a sense of emotion for this old family.
Again, four generations lived in this house.
The story starts with three Frenchman brothers who came to fight in the American Revolution. After the war, all three brothers went to different parts of the world. This particular line went to Quebec and then his son (born in 1797) migrated on down to Northern Illinois and then Wisconsin in the 1830s. A generation later, his son was the Captain of an Artillery Regiment in the Civil War. He mustered over 140 people from his hometown to go to battle; they voted for him to be their leader. (Can’t believe hometowns all fought together potentially leaving towns entirely devastated.) This person survived the war and had a son who built my hoarder lady’s house. (Her great great grandfather would’ve been the Civil War Vet.)
In the attic, I found a WWI helmet, honorable discharge papers, a gas mask and his military footlocker with pictures of loved ones taped inside. Many other pictures are taken of this enigmatic man during WWI. Apparently, he died in 1928 not long after the war. I wonder how he died. His only sibling, his sister (who married the grandson of the Civil War Vet), clearly appreciated her brother and saved his belongings. Another generation there saved all of the World War II ration booklets. Times had gotten tough again. The WWI vet’s sister had two daughters. One of them married and had two more daughters. None of these daughters had children, and one even died young. Had I not gotten this house, no one might have ever known this family’s story. It would’ve all went into a couple dumpsters. They were relatively well off for generations, but it’s really incredible what these old pioneering families endured to build this country. There is no more of this line.
Perhaps I am a bit too sentimental, but it’s probably good to remember that times are not always great and many sacrifices have been made.
