Parents will understand this one.  Our daughter and son-in-law began their search for a home shortly after they married.  As we all remember, those early days after college and looking for that first job can be a tough time financially.  Their budget was tight, making their preferred Duluth neighborhood a challenge to find a home that met their needs and worked for their first home. 

 

After some time looking, we also thought it would be worthwhile to see if there may be a “fixer upper” that we could lend a hand on renovating for them.  Our daughter and son-in-law had previously been admiring a home out in Lakeside that was clearly abandoned, and as we found out, had been in foreclosure.  During their long search they would always say “there’s always Ivanhoe” knowing that a conventional loan would never be approved, but holding out a glimmer of hope.  And our daughter would throw in “my Mommy and Daddy” could do it” every now and then – knowing she had lived through and watched multiple homes get transformed over her years as an Air Force brat.

 

With a quick call to our realtor, we were able to get in to the house and assess the possibilities. As we have many times before, we saw and knew there was absolute potential and we could help to make it their perfect first home…and so it now is! 

 

Unlike our past homes and future projects, this was their home so it was a fun project to watch them work on a design layout, pick out finishes and colors, and begin to plan their future.  We feel fortunate we were able to help them begin their new life in this home, which is a part of our passion as we begin our new adventure in transforming more homes in our Zenith City.

 

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention and thank the extraordinary team at Duluth’s Western Bank. From the mortgage lender who worked with our daughter and son-in-law, to our business banker whom we’ve developed a strong relationship with our Bed and Breakfast! Without them, dreams would not have come true!