I Bought An Abandoned House For $16,500 - And Completely Transformed It

I Bought An Abandoned House For $16,500 - And Completely Transformed It | Unlocked

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Betsy Sweeny, 30, bought a dilapidated 3-bedroom Victorian house for $16,500 in Wheeling, West Virginia in 2020. Then she secured a $100,000 construction loan and got straight to work.
Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.
Check out Betsy's Instagram here: / betsysweeny
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I Bought An Abandoned House For $16,500 - And Completely Transformed It | Unlocked

Пікірлер: 387

@ShortSindrome 7 ай бұрын

This hit so hard for me. I bought my first home at 24 years old, single while I lived with my mom. It was small, rough and built in 1910. I didn't know anything about renovations but I sanded and painted everything, replaced all the floors myself and had all 11 new windows installed. I loved that house and would have kept it forever if I hadn't gotten married and my life moved away from my hometown. If I ever get the opportunity, you bet I'm buying it right back. I hope the people who bought it saw its potential and love it the same way I did.

@Ad-Lo 7 ай бұрын

❤

@feliciad.hutchins4507 7 ай бұрын

Motivation. I went from bankruptcy to homelessness to a homesteader in less than a year. People right you off when you don’t have. My home was only $50,000.00 with 3 acres in the woods. It is my retreat. Because I was able to buy low, now I can afford to upgrade my kitchen and bathroom fixture to brass and my countertops to quartz without borrowing. I just pay as I go. My home is my forever home that shield me from all of the people that counted me out. Slow remodel with and understanding that all one needs is a roof with one little patch to lay on. Eventually with sweat equity, you will wake to a home that was customized by you without debt. I am so great full. Thank you for your inspiring story.❤❤❤

@marcelae9798 2 ай бұрын

May I ask you where did you buy your property?

@heathermetz6576 7 ай бұрын

This was a fantastic find for $16,000 with a loan of $100,000 just for repairs. Glad she explained that it still has work to be done in stages. No one is in a rush to buy her house, nor is she selling it. Great idea to repurpose materials in the house for the remodel.

@SundiMyint 7 ай бұрын

I swear, Betsy changed my entire outlook on what I thought a "home" could be in her first videos in 2020. Now I live in my own old home that definitely needs work but has so much original charm. Before Betsy, I thought the clean line modern aesthetic was my vibe. Thank you Betsy for bringing your point of view to the world!

@stephaniem9904 7 ай бұрын

As someone who is currently renovating a house built in 1890, I really appreciate the work put into this house. There are so many beautiful old houses in the United States (and the world) that can be restored into the jewels they were meant to be. Thank you, CNBC for telling this story!

@CassVanCat 7 ай бұрын

I live in a 1960s condo townhome. There isn't much character as you see in those century homes. But it is built like a rock and is fantastic for saving energy because it isn't open concept.

@arielleyasmine 7 ай бұрын

"Think more as a collective and less like individuals". I absolutely love that because she's so right

@King-bx5xt 7 ай бұрын

I am from London, U.K. Your renovated house looks very much like our Victorian/Edwardian era house In England. Especially, the front of the house, bay windows, staircases and the front door…we always renovate period properties and live in it like you. Thanks for showing.

@micheleemcdaniel389 3 ай бұрын

Please watch the Canadian television show: 'W5 - The Haunted Hampton House - 2 part episode, to see what happened to the British couple that bought and renovated an old home in Nova Scotia. They are still reeling.

@NC-qc7wd 7 ай бұрын

I am a modernist retired architect, and what she has done is really nice and simple. Of course, her work experience helped to achieve what she did. Good for her and congratulations. I do hope she finishes her project.

@tmc1373 6 ай бұрын

I have ALWAYS loved the beauty of these types of older homes, such class and distinction. These homes were built well and built to display beauty, refinement,sophistication and elegance. I absolutely love these types of homes with all of my heart and soul. Absolutely amazing!

@jakew1362 7 ай бұрын

She's like a real life hallmark movie character.

@janinafisher101 7 ай бұрын

I'm so with you... all these stunning old houses are so worth saving. The stuff they build now is so cheap and characterless, and won't be standing in another 100 years like the old ones. I'm so happy when I see young people buying and restoring old properties. It is a work of love. Enjoy your beautiful old home. You'll get to the rest of it in time.

@bcatbb2896 7 ай бұрын

odds are the foundation and walls are better than what most modern buildings are made of. those bricks definitely wont be falling apart anytime soon

@ohaggie 7 ай бұрын

This is a nice investment; although, it is located in a small town (Wheeling, West Virginia). She spends $1,047 a month to live in the house which includes her mortgage, utilities, property taxes, and insurance. Besides her initial $100,000 construction loan, she will still need more money to compete the entire renovation but until then, this is a beautiful home. Good luck to her.

@wickandde 7 ай бұрын

I hope more people our age do this, not only does it restore beautiful old homes buy also its a lot more affordable and rewarding. We got an old house with a few quirks that we need to fix, its amazing, has a beautiful vibe and just so unique as oppose to cookie cutter houses

@madnessintomagic 7 ай бұрын

Bless you for finding a home for yourself, renovating it for yourself, and not having the intention to flip it just for profit. It’s nice to see. So many of us are priced and bureaucracie’d out of home ownership, primarily because of mercenary bulk-home owners artificially inflating rents. You’re an example of what’s healthier and more ethical.

@mtngrl5859 7 ай бұрын

She also was willing to move to an area that doesn't high house prices. Of course, there are 4 seasons there. There are many places where one can find homes under 100k.

@MsBonijoni 6 ай бұрын

. . 🥞there’s nothing wrong with flipping a pancake because it often requires a renovator to spark a renewed interests to potential homebuyers in disenfranchised neighborhoods . .. buyers who love the idea of up cycling vintage real estate can be uninformed or inexperienced to do it by/for themselves, so experienced flippers who do the dirty and dusty work should then be allowed to earn a profit off of their efforts. . Plus, Betsy is schooled in architecture so it could’ve been second nature for her to visualize classic or structural design elements . .I personally know flippers and they’re not as dollar driven and shallow as they can be made out to be . . just saying . .

@madnessintomagic 6 ай бұрын

@@MsBonijoni Profit, yes. Robber baron volumes of 💰 profit? No. The ones you might know aren’t, but the VAST majority, are in it only for the turnover. For themselves. The renovations I’ve seen are ghastly and poor quality. Someone where I used to live bought a gorgeous 130 year old brick home, ripped out the original hardwood and floored/cemented in outdoor 3 ft square slate tiles instead. PATIO tile. Throughout. In a place with no dust. I’d seen it before and the flooring was pristine. And ripped out the antique radiators and left them on the curb. They were trying to flip it with a 100k markup, after removing 100k of historical value.

@mtngrl5859 6 ай бұрын

@@MsBonijoni While what you said has a great deal of merit, there are many in the business of construction that will take old charming vintage properties & do a quick flip without attention to its vintage appeal. I can't count the number of Victorian-era homes that were morphed into really modern interiors, destroying its original character.

@duganred 7 ай бұрын

Big respect for doing this for YOU and not for profit. I was born in Wheeling in 84’ and sad to say, it looks the exact same. My wife and I live in Columbus OH and we have been looking at property in southeastern Ohio and now the Ohio Valley to carve out a space to get away from the city. Thanks for inspiring us and giving a great visual of what COULD be again. Hope you can inject enough love to give wheeling the renaissance it deserves. Maybe we will bump into each other in the future. ✌🏼

@carolczina9235 7 ай бұрын

Yeah! So wonderful to see a beautiful sensitive restoration of a gorgeous vintage property. I have been renovating an 1873 house in Burlington VT for the past 20 years. It is so exciting to see it all come together as restoration progresses. The model of repair and restore is such a win for neighborhoods. My street is much improved from when i moved in. Neighbors follow neighbors as renovation spreads from home to home on my street. Gardening also has spread so the landscape of the street has improved. We have gone from a somewhat undesireable street to one of the nicer streets to live on in the Old North End.

@barbarawillis5187 7 ай бұрын

The house has beautiful custom features. I love that people preserve old homes. You did an amazing job, Betsy Sweeny. Your dog is so cute and looks right at home.

@JuMiMi86 7 ай бұрын

For 100k, she's done quite a bit. Love the results and low amount of debt. Best of luck on your remaining projects - home is always where your heart is. 🏡

@prissilou 7 ай бұрын

The best part of this whole thing is that you saw the beauty and potential, had the knowledge to envision the concept, and the love to put into the project. Great job! I especially love the light fixture that hangs in the staircase!

@urbanflight820 7 ай бұрын

This was so good. The beauty and bones of the home, as well as the lessons imparted about community and preservation. Well done, Betsy.

@Originalman144 7 ай бұрын

Abandoned for 40 years is wild!

@whatever_12 6 ай бұрын

That staircase look so good.. Old houses have that warm feeling to it, that makes it this much more cozy

@YourRichLifeMedia 7 ай бұрын

Ive followed Betsy for a while. A couple of years. I love what shes done with this home. Love.

@ravi2047 8 ай бұрын

$17K for purchase. $100K for renovations. It's still a work in progress. Thanks for showing a realistic world. Thanks for saving a good home.

@jonyfrany1319 7 ай бұрын

😂 throw 100k at a house in the 🇺🇸 and it looks exactly the same 😅 throw $100k at a house in many other countries and it looks like the Hamptons

@ashleighjaimaosborne3966 7 ай бұрын

Just lovely! 🇨🇦

@thinkplanetearth2946 8 ай бұрын

Pretty incredible home. I always admire people that are willing to tackle such large projects. While I am definitely in favor of refurbishing and preservation, I'm not so sure that it is more cost effective than getting a newer home as she mentioned. The purchase was inexpensive and then she took out $100K loan to begin to renovate, but the house is not nearly done. Who knows how much more it'll cost to finish it. Because of her line of work, this is definitely a passion project. Which I completely respect. I was surprised however at how low her monthly costs were to run the home. Seemed pretty low. But again, I admire and respect what she's doing.

@code33startup 7 ай бұрын

I'll save this video to watch later. Her voice is so soothing, it'll definitely help me go to sleep in a few minutes.

@joycestempa5647 6 ай бұрын

I wish you the best and I hope you’ve found your forever home. I bought my first house when I was 21. I never intended to live there more than 5 years. As of 2023, I’ve lived here 41 years!!! I got married 5 years into it. I raised 3 kids in it thereafter and am now raising 1 of my 3 grandchildren in it as well. In 2020 we began major renovations of every single room. We will be finishing by 2025. It has now become the house I’ve always wanted and it is my absolute favorite place to be in the world….I wish that for you too!! Do as much as you can afford in stages. Plan for 1-2 really big projects per year and give yourself a generous time budget. Take your time, do it right (no patch jobs) and enjoy the journey. The house will pay you back in love as you go!!! Best of luck

@akhilat 7 ай бұрын

Why would one buy a home literally 2 inches from the neighbor's home?

@OceanBlueKeys 8 ай бұрын

Would be nice to get an actual breakdown of financials, budgeting, etc that went into this. That said, love her perspective and we need more people like this for architecture revival

@AYK894 8 ай бұрын

there's a video she did with Monica Church. They provide a breakdown there and talk much more about the area too.

@sadie513 8 ай бұрын

Ah, that's where I've seen her before.

@flashflame4952 7 ай бұрын

Absolutely lovely! So glad you didn't just rip everything out and modernize it. I lived in a house that was built in 1897 in Syracuse NY. It wasn't half as lovely as yours even before you started renovation. The stain glass in your home is just fantastic. I wish you all the best of luck. I am a fan of older buildings. Growing up in NYC, there are some really nice townhouses, etc and I hate when they knock them down to put up an ugly 'ice cube tray'. Just steel and glass and not attractive to the eye. No craftsmanship goes into those buildings. Did you ever research the history of your home???

@liberationeducationaklinit6627 4 ай бұрын

I love her mind and appreciate how real this video is thank you for this...

@kimnguyen1227 7 ай бұрын

so glad to see an update to this house! It is so gorgeous. I'm so inspired.

@lynnemanning9553 7 ай бұрын

Very good taste you have with buying the home, and then renovating! The details in your house are amazing, and I'm so glad that you came along to see that this house is very special and would make a fantastic residence. What a shame to just see this house fall apart! The architecture is so painstakingly created and the details inside and out, are unique and will never be duplicated in our day and age....I love it! Good on ya! Great dog too 💟 I do think with the onset of working at home by computer, there can be more of these beautiful houses bought in more remote areas, because basically there is no office to drive to, or at least, not the majority of the time, for many people.;...

@amandabradley6256 6 ай бұрын

What an incredible space…..I too would imagine the people that had lived in the home in the past. Just beautiful.

@torilea8104 7 ай бұрын

I cannot believe you can buy places like that for so little money. Australian property is so expensive. Last year an abandoned derelict home in Sydney was sold for over a million and it was trashed.

@maurawhelan3530 6 ай бұрын

Love this! What flipping gorgeous details! Thank you for preserving this charming dwelling!

@sadie513 8 ай бұрын

I've seen her been featured in many other KZfaq channels. Saw the place when she first moved in. She's done such a great job with the progress she's made so far and will look forward to it all being finished.

@afriendabroad2083 8 ай бұрын

I know this is suppose to be about the house but Betsy is really beautiful and she has a presence. She could host TV documentaries on restoring houses.

@nofurtherwest3474 7 ай бұрын

She kinda looks like Natalie Portman

@Originalman144 7 ай бұрын

Yeah she's gorgeous

@lafarmhouse 7 ай бұрын

this is so fabulous, i live in an older home, and neighborhood as well, and love older homes, buildings, and storytelling of life from them❤❤❤

@j.g.7054 7 ай бұрын

WE really enjoyed this video! What a great lady - preserving history as she does!

@creallyreal 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing what you've achieved with that beautiful old relic. The work you've done is beautiful. It gives me a twinge of sadness when I walk past a glorious piece of old history like this that's slated for demolition. I'm glad you've saved this one. My best on the work you're set to do on her in the future 🙂.

@Larsbor 6 ай бұрын

What a beautifull place, great footage. ❤

@Novilicious 7 ай бұрын

The live bat was my favorite part and this woman is changing America for the better. Loved this video!!

@annalee7650 7 ай бұрын

What a beautiful video. I’ve watched you from the start I’m fascinated by your attitude about old houses and your eye for design. I grew up in a Federalist period home, in Alabama , renovated by my parents. It was built in 1824 for the governors daughter. Your decor and choice of furnishings in this home are fabulous. Your weight loss is very becoming.

@jj-if6it 4 ай бұрын

Love Betsy's care for old homes and have been following her since I discovered her on Monica Church's video a few years ago. She's so enterprising yet pretty young. Although she's lucky she was already from the area as it would be a big move for a lot of people!

@robindaniels2987 7 ай бұрын

Absolutely stunning home. Well done!!👏👏

@billiebowman6225 6 ай бұрын

Loved your video and all you have done

@alisonj9533 2 ай бұрын

AMAZING work and vision

@user-mm1qu7yb5h 4 ай бұрын

YOU ARE SO BRAVE GIRL !... I DID THIS ONCE. SO REWARDING . WOW , NEVER AGAIN. YOU DID GREAT !

@AGM-ts5bb 7 ай бұрын

You are the right person to restore this house. Gorgeous home!

@beatriceguzman8279 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for saving this beautiful home ❤

@wilkensgarance 7 ай бұрын

Love the beautiful rounded edges of the roof, visible on the drone shoots. Beautiful renovation Betsy 👍🏼

@bradtrades 8 ай бұрын

Beautifully home. The craftsmanship that went into homes so long ago is a lost art. Nice knowing you live in a home unlike any others, completely unique.

@maureenk1635 6 ай бұрын

So beautiful!

@brieanabarrera7665 4 ай бұрын

this is amazing ❤

@ChannelDane 3 ай бұрын

I watched this video just for the dog - I love dogs that have to be in the same room as you.

@farrahnafis8536 6 ай бұрын

Great work. Good luck for rest of the restoration.

@nofurtherwest3474 7 ай бұрын

Wow there's still so much more to do. Hope she keeps at it. Eventually it will all be done and look grand again.

@rebeccavl97 7 ай бұрын

Absolutely love this!! I’ve always wanted to purchase an old Victorian home and restore it!

@buenavidaestates-livingthe6333 5 ай бұрын

Gorgeous! They don't make 'em like they used to. So many incredible touches in there. What an adventure!

@romikim4548 6 ай бұрын

What a unique house! Lovely

@mcgerity 7 ай бұрын

Wheeling has so many beautiful old homes begging for restoration and tlc. It’s affordable, and for those who might be able to work remotely, give it a look. It’s a great option. The downtown architecture is amazing and overdue for a revival.

@angelastewart9497 8 ай бұрын

Beautiful it’s good to see you didn’t strip it of it Character

@user-on7fo4nr4z 6 ай бұрын

it's nice to see a single , self sufficient strong woman looking after herself with a gorgeous doggy

@DawnOldham 7 ай бұрын

I sleep in a room decorated with Victorian reproduction furniture. It's my small way of enjoying that vibe in my two story 1980's home! 😂 Your home is lovely and you make solid points that resonate 100% with me!

@PnoMonies 8 ай бұрын

Absolutely beautiful!!! This is my dream. It’s totally possible

@catkiki7779 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for saving this wonderful house !

@ibislife 7 ай бұрын

Love this! 🙂

@Pieterseboy 7 ай бұрын

love this

@theSilvioRoesler 3 ай бұрын

congratulations, beautiful home

@fashionforwarddd 7 ай бұрын

This is so cool

@giearomin2738 7 ай бұрын

Wow very lovely house thank you for saving it❤❤❤

@tgvtgv6513 8 ай бұрын

Only con of buying cheap abandoned house is that they are pretty much always haunted. But you should see good out of bad like you don't have to move furniture around ghosts and demons do it for you .....

@Jebz96 7 ай бұрын

😂

@slabbygabby 7 ай бұрын

Lool

@1_viewer 7 ай бұрын

What a big project!

@rahmatrusli4718 5 ай бұрын

What an inspiration! I still search for mine

@ULXB258 7 ай бұрын

well done!

@josephascolesi7062 8 ай бұрын

How much $ to fix is true cost. Amount? How to find good labor that are not full of it.?

@tinaforeman4678 7 ай бұрын

Its stunning.

@ivanjhu 8 ай бұрын

Love 3:24 the portrait of the dog

@Learnmoretoday59 6 ай бұрын

West Virginia has some beautiful, old houses.

@julielin4496 6 ай бұрын

You can see the passion and fire in her eyes.

@patralink 7 ай бұрын

Love your dog!

@Observer100-cn7gv 6 ай бұрын

Learn to love people and stop talking about how you love dogs. Get a life.

@toppcatt5113 7 ай бұрын

Love the color esp the yellow walls.

@hellosunshine3304 7 ай бұрын

The ripple effect! 🙌❤️

@vickiemarker9052 6 ай бұрын

Lovely!

@gerardramirez6320 7 ай бұрын

Love it 😀

@iwanttotelltheworld1564 8 ай бұрын

Stunning job. Well done you. With all my heart, I pray that this is your forever happy home memory maker. Be blessed all here. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

@paul_domici 8 ай бұрын

Jeez I just fell in Love!!!

@carlapaz8722 7 ай бұрын

Wow! I live in Barcelona in a beautiful old building. But, your house is like a dream came true. So real, so true, like you.

@johnleavey356 4 ай бұрын

I love your videos and what you have accomplished. How big is the property?

@Leisure3389 7 ай бұрын

Been following Betsy for years. So impressed

@jolewis2057 7 ай бұрын

Beautiful.❤

@lynnmoss2127 7 ай бұрын

yes yes yes thank you for so eloquently explaining the romanticism and value of old homes and the impact of a rehab on the entire neighborhood. I do need some advice from your expertise, please. I have had terrible luck with builders. Are there clauses you would add to a contract to keep the builders on track and yourself protected? Asking from an old house in Michigan.

@jojoleung627 7 ай бұрын

I hope you can do another video when the place is fully finished

@GratitudeGriot 8 ай бұрын

5:20 Thank you for clarifying the bat was still alive bc cause as soon as she said she trapped a bat my 1st thought: WELL, IS IT DEAD NOW??!!

@pistolen87 7 ай бұрын

Beautifully renovated! The problem isn't a lack of housing, the problem is that the housing is in the wrong place.

@robyndismon394 7 ай бұрын

Plse explain what you mean by housing being in the wrong place.

@pistolen87 7 ай бұрын

@@robyndismon394There are beautiful derelict houses like these all over the US that could be renovated, probably enough to solve the housing crisis, if everybody spread out over the country and moved in, but increased urbanization and more job opportunities in cities makes that practically impossible. The housing available isn't where the jobs are.

@robyndismon394 7 ай бұрын

@@pistolen87 I think I understand better now. Thanks for clarifying I'm still trying to figure out where my next home should be and if I will also renovate as she did

@Celtic_Amy 7 ай бұрын

I will never understand how a house could be abandoned. At some point before being left to the elements it must have been worth money. I love old house. Its unfortunate the the homes in my area are now is mainly commercial areas. Her neighborhood is adorable.

@Mariettasss 7 ай бұрын

Houses are abandoned when people die without wills, children or heirs. Happens more often than you realize

@anmnou 7 ай бұрын

Lack of money?

@ronalddodus5728 4 ай бұрын

I would love to work on this home. I wish I lived closer to her to help out. I love refurbishing historic homes! God Bless her and her love for historic architecture! So Cool