Michigan couple bought farmhouse for $26,000, spent $320,000 restoring it

In 2018, Samantha and Sean Kilgore purchased an abandoned 160-year-old farmhouse in Michigan for $26,000. Little did they know, restoring the run-down property would prove to be a far more complicated and costly endeavor than they initially anticipated. Although the couple had no prior renovation experience, they saw potential in the historic home and decided to breathe new life into it.

Upon first viewing the vacant farmhouse, they noted its desolate state, with missing or boarded-up windows, graffiti, and overgrown vegetation. It was even rumored to be a subject of local ghost stories after sitting empty for over a decade. The previous owner had even considered demolishing the building and converting the land into a farm field.

However, Samantha, 26 at the time, was drawn to the property's rich history. Having grown up in her great-grandparents' home, where her parents had invested years of work to renovate the house themselves, Samantha believed that old homes should be preserved rather than replaced. This philosophy became the driving force behind the Kilgores' restoration project.

As they began opening up the walls, the Kilgores discovered that almost every aspect of the 160-year-old structure needed substantial reinforcement and upgrading to meet modern building codes. Wall studs, floor joists, and other structural elements had to be strengthened, significantly increasing the renovation costs beyond their initial expectations.

Adding to the challenges, the Kilgores had to contend with raccoons living inside the walls and even had to clear snow from inside the unfinished property during winter. Determined not to give up, they taught themselves how to rebuild the house, tackling tasks ranging from traditional cedar roofs and hardwood floors to tile and decking.

The biggest structural challenge involved raising the farmhouse and placing it on a new foundation after Sean accidentally damaged the original Michigan fieldstone basement. They also installed a septic field that had never existed before.

Perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of the project came when the entire farmhouse had to be suspended by a giant hole while a new foundation was constructed underneath. The house had to be insured despite the stressful situation, and Samantha took on the role of general contractor, coordinating various trades working on the property.

Despite the challenges, the Kilgores persevered and transformed the neglected farmhouse into a beautiful home. Their restoration project gained attention and even led to their appearances on HGTV shows such as "I Bought a Dump... Now What?" and "Battle on the Beach," where they eventually won the competition.

For the Kilgores, the abandoned farmhouse represented more than just a financial investment. It was a piece of history worth saving, a testament to their love for preserving old homes rather than replacing them.