Living at the same place for over five years is pretty much unheard of in this day and age. With modernity and space increasingly gaining demand, many people tend to move about for quite some time before settling down in a place they'd call home.
The settlers only do so if they have a family or have some bought-land; otherwise, movement is not out of the cards. However, Joyce West, a 96-year-old lady from Toronto, managed to maintain the same residence for over seven decades. Even more astonishing is the fact that this wasn't the most impressive thing about her home. What lay inside would shock anyone to the core.
Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover
When we talk about real estate, the most common factors determining a home's value are usually based on aesthetics, space, and the property's age. However, this isn't always the case as sometimes the interior possessions or décor can significantly influence how a home is valued.
In some cases, the value of a piece of property has skyrocketed after thorough inspection and examination. However, this is such a rare occurrence that many realtors barely have plans or expectations for any old home and usually sign them up for renovation and demolition. In this situation, though, the Spizzirri sisters and Toronto realtors- were in for a surprise.
Nothing New Here
At first glance, this West Toronto row home looked like all the rest in its vicinity, meaning it barely stood out. Very few people had had the opportunity to step into the residence despite being aware that the old lady who owned the house had been living there since time immemorial.
This was quite disheartening as the public didn't know that they lived next to a fantastic piece of property. We believe the neighbors just kept to their own devices, choosing not to bother Joyce and let her enjoy her peace. For those who managed to peek into the house, they were in for a treat.
Jack In The Box
They usually say experience is the best teacher, and this can't be closer to the truth. Sometimes, no matter how long you have lived and how much you have seen, there are always those one-time things that happen which you can barely put your finger on.
Moreover, some of humanity’s best experiences and discoveries happened by chance, and if it weren’t for that leap of faith, we'd probably have missed out on the adventure of a lifetime. This is one of those chance happenings that if things had panned out differently, the Spizzirri sisters would have missed out on something unique.
Shake it Up
Carla and Gladys Spizzirri are two successful co-owners of a very successful realtor agency. Usually, they work independently in their projects and assignments, but in this case, they figured they'd take a different approach to get a broader insight into Joyce's home.
Despite it being a new way to approach things and probably out of their way, the decision to examine this property together ended up paying off. Their experience would forever remain in their minds for years to come, and Joyce would end up being one of their most iconic clients. It seems switching things up has its benefits after all.
Just Another Day
On the day of the examination, everything was going as planned for Gladys and Carla; they went on with their duties as they usually did. Unbeknownst to the Spizzirri sisters, their reputation in their field of work was about to lead them to a gold mine.
Joyce, on the other hand, was looking for the perfect seller for her home. She had lived there for quite some time as she had never left since she got married to her husband and bought the house over seventy years before. This was a serious decision as she was attached to the house, making her think carefully before settling on an agency.
Experience is the Best Teacher
Gladys and Carla have amassed a ton of experience and knowledge over the years, making them experts in their field of work. Despite co-owning their agency, they preferred to work separately as each one had their modus operandi, plus a little healthy competition never hurt.
Despite the Spizzirri sisters taking their work at a unique pace and direction, they quickly noticed opportunities that would benefit from their combined efforts. In such cases, they put their standard systems aside and brought everything to the table to maximize their potential. Besides, two heads are better than one.
An Unexpected Call
When Joyce called the agency, Carla was the one who picked up and talked to her. Joyce was pretty determined but sounded slightly unenthusiastic about the whole affair. Carla wasn't put off by this and went full-throttle on the potential task, enlisting the help of her sister.
Ontario's property market is quite erratic, but experienced realtors like Joyce and Carla could navigate these murky waters. This meant that their new client- Joyce- would get the best deal possible for her prized possession. However, none of the sisters were ready for what was about to come.
Convince Me
Carla had expected the client to reside in a regular neighborhood with nothing out of the ordinary. The sisters didn't pay much attention to the sellers' apprehensive tone; besides, selling a house is a big deal, and Joyce had lived in that place for most of her adult life.
Joyce was keen on selling, but she was still hesitant, but the Spizzirri sisters weren't worried as they just saw this as a typical situation in their line of work. This wasn't their first rodeo, and they were ready for whatever was coming, or so they thought.
A Welcome Surprise
When Carla spoke to Joyce, she was aware that the lady was quite old, but she was surprised to learn that the lady was in fact 96 years! Moreover, Joyce didn't have any health issues impairing her judgment. For instance, her hearing was still great, unlike Carla's grandmother, who needed someone to speak loudly to hear them correctly.
Joyce's health greatly impressed Carla, and this played a role in their relationships as she realized she wouldn't need a lot of effort when relaying information. Surprisingly, this was just the tip of the iceberg, and Joyce had more special treats under her sleeve.
A False Start?
The ball started rolling by Joyce sending her address to the realtors coupled with photos of the residence. This was a good start, but an on-site investigation was necessary to ensure everything was in order. Moreover, Carla and her sister had no idea what was waiting for them inside the property since it was pretty old.
On top of that, Joyce was still skeptical about her decision since this had been her home for a lengthy period. However, the realtors were ready to get to work and chose to overlook their client's hesitance.
Opportunity Cost
Carla had been working with Gladys since 2009, and during their time together, they quickly learned that every property had its mysteries and surprises. Some were good, and other times they were quite nasty, prompting them to be very careful when making deals.
After all, in the real estate industry, these surprises can either make or break the deal. For instance, property damage might require extensive renovations, which will cost an arm and a leg reducing the area's value if the owners don't have the capital to renovate. If they do have the money, the renovations might increase the profit margins. With this in mind, they headed to Joyce's residence.
On-Site
Gladys and Carla knew the area where Joyce lived, so it was easy setting up an appointment to inspect the property. From the image, you can see how lowkey and normal the houses in the neighborhood seemed.
One of the advantages of having one owner maintaining a home for a lengthy period is that maintenance is up to standard. This made it easier for the realtors to match their target with the client faster. However, Carla and Gladys had to manage their expectations as this could be a rundown property despite its exterior.
You Think You Know
Gladys and Carla didn't look down on Joyce and they understood the tough choice that was facing the elderly woman. However, they had to mentally prepare themselves for any possible outcome. To help them through their preparation, they had mentally visualized as many versions of an elderly person's interior as they could.
Coupled with the fact that the sisters' assumptions were rarely off the mark they were pretty confident in their estimations and assumptions. Their confidence was fueled by their experience in the market and Gladys had been working on the job since the late ‘80s making her a real estate guru.
Something's Fishy
Gladys and Carla started doing some research on the property and tried negotiating with various buyers and sellers but they kept hitting a brick wall. This raised some flags and they had to investigate why this property was proving to be a tough sell.
Maybe something had happened in the past few weeks or months to prompt this form of reaction from the potential customers. On the other hand, Joyce could be hiding something from them and they had to take matters into their own hands to clear the air once and for all.
Gladys and Carla, PI
Joyce had moved into the neighborhood in 1942 with her husband and everything looked nominal from the exterior. The neighborhood didn't have any sinister vibes or reasons to put anyone off, and this definitely left Carla and Gladys stumped.
Things were not looking good and our resident realtors had to make things work sooner than later lest they disappoint their client. On the other hand, they were yet to make their way to the property and with the current development, they had more reason to head over. Despite the set back the sisters were ready to take the bull by its horns and tackle whatever problem they met.
Home is Where I'll Stay
Putting a house on the market is prompted by various factors and striking while the iron is hot can really make your day. However, according to Comfort Life, elderly people prefer aging in their own homes to selling their residences.
However, life doesn't always give you the ideal situation and for one reason or another, an elderly person might be forced to sell their home. It is a tough decision but what can you do? This is probably the situation with Joyce, and the realtors had already put their minds in this pot. However, was this the whole picture?
Keeping Secrets
Joyce had clocked 96 and it was evident she might need assistance in her sunset years to manage life. However, this wasn't her only reason for selling the house as she had kept some information from the realtors.
Question is, what more could a 96-year-old lady have that could deter potential buyers? This was unheard of considering how little most of them needed to get on. In most cases elderly people barely used the most part of their residences therefore damage was kept to a minimum and those kinds of homes sold fairly quickly. However, our Joyce was not most people and she had quite the surprise.
Hoarder Alert?
The seller's old age and the dated construction of Joyce's home exterior was enough reason to cause concern for the Spizzirri sisters. From their previous conversation, Joyce had mentioned she had amassed a collection of household items over the years and this sent red flags into Carla's mind.
You can't fault the sisters for considering the fact that Joy might have been a hoarder and her collection of items was towering over everything in the house. Was it possible that Carla and Gladys had met someone who was too attached to their prized possessions and property?
Grime Time?
On the other hand, things could be worse than the sisters anticipated, and they could be dealing with someone who has total disregard for hygiene. This wasn't new to them and having worked in the industry for quite some time, they were used to meeting the few oddballs who left clutter and litter all around, overturning their homes into dumpsters.
Most of the time, the people in such situations had no one to help them and they gave up on housekeeping. After a while, the mess becomes a huge part of them, that it's considered the new normal. Was Joyce just running from her responsibilities?
Prepare for the Worst but Pray for the Best
After thorough brainstorming, the Spizzirris were stumped, none of their speculations seemed plausible. At this point they were expecting the most gruesome sight when they'd finally make their way to the home and meet their client face to face. However, they had a feeling that this sale wasn't their typical adventure and they had to look into it even more.
All the realtors' experience couldn't help them pinpoint a reason why the lady wouldn't sell her home. Moreover, Joyce struck them as a classy lady who wouldn't tolerate such hideous living as they were assuming. Something wasn't adding up.
A Helping Hand
Whenever the realtors had a conversation with Joyce, they got the feeling that the old lady was struggling with something pulling her heartstrings. Instead of a careless owner, Carla and Gladys got the feeling that Joyce was a genuine seller with a few things pulling her back and this made the dynamic duo sympathize with the old lady.
According to some credible websites, senior isolation is very dangerous and as much as living alone isn't always the cause for loneliness, the two are close companions. Therefore, we think you understand why the sisters took it upon themselves to help the lady as soon as possible.
Home Alone
According to the administration of aging, approximately 30% of elderly citizens live alone. Moreover a huge chunk of the percentage are in dire situations desperately in need of assisted living or some form of long-term attention.
Most accidents that take place in the homes of elderly citizens are attributed to the numerous hazards within. Brittle bones make them prone to severe injuries when they fall and in some extreme cases, loss of life is possible. With this information in mind, you can imagine how risky Joyce's situation was, and it is quite horrifying to think of all the dangerous possibilities.
High Grade Acquisition
Not only were Gladys and Carla heavily invested in this property due to Joyce's situation but also due to the high value the neighborhood commanded. After doing their due diligence, they were able to estimate that the residence's value would fetch them a tidy $968,000.
However, the estimate was largely dependent on the condition of the interior coupled with renovation costs. Therefore, the sisters had to find out what their client was aggressively hiding from them before making any final decisions. That being said, Carla and Gladys maintained their inspection date despite the looming sense of doom.
Prime Location
Before delving into the Spizzirri's find, it would be an injustice if we didn't tell you about their findings when they were assessing the location. Upon inspection, they were able to discover that Joyce's house was located in a booming neighborhood when it was constructed and like the rest of Toronto, most areas experienced a similar growth spurt after the second world war.
As the city grew at an incredible pace, it encouraged settlers to make their way to the area. At some point even Queen Elizabeth II paid the city a visit and Joyce's neighborhood was lauded for its affluent residents and amenities.
Potential History
The Old Mill area experienced a surge in property rises, further piquing the sisters’ interest and gaining their confidence in their client. The location was lovely and managed to maintain its historical visage with ruins of the gristmill acting as the leading champion of this fact.
Most of the streets were lined with cobblestone pathways which echoed the designs seen in the iconic Eganville gristmill ruins in Ontario. This was an architectural haven with historical structures and elements gracing the area, making it an attractive section for tourists, historians, and most of all, realtors.
Yin and Yang
Joyce's residence is situated along Humber River Bank and is just a few clicks from the entertainment district, which houses various parks, restaurants, and hotels. On the other hand, the subway is conveniently accessible, making it easy to move around the city.
Despite the glamorous picture we have painted, houses from the '50s are prone to their risks too. For starters, inspectors always look for asbestos, damaged piers, iron drain lines, and anything that has deteriorated. In other areas, the houses lack insulation, and these problems can bring a massive dent in the budget, significantly weakening the profit margin.
A Change of Heart
The inspection date was fast approaching, but Joyce's hesitation was a growing concern for the Spizzirri sisters, and every time they spoke over the phone, they couldn't help but become more worried. The research and details were mainly looked into, but the seller was having doubts and tried to back away from the deal.
Joyce lived in the house since she was 24 years old, and you can understand why she had problems letting go. Backing out is a common situation in the realtor industry, and therefore Gladys and Joyce were prepared to deal with such a situation whenever it arose.
Gladys’s Silver Tongue
Luckily, Gladys was able to convince Joyce to stay on track and not back out, the cold feet were understandable, but deep down, that wasn't her genuine desire. It took a long time to decide to sell, and Joyce's realtor helped her remember why she was set on this path.
The last hurdle was out of the way, and Joyce was now utterly keen on her decision to sell; everything was lining up as the viewing date was approaching. It was about time Gladys and Carla finally saw why the old lady was hesitant.
Countdown to D-Day
Joyce's hesitance made the whole project even more enticing for Carla and Gladys. At this point, the Spizzirri sisters were so invested that they didn't care what they'd find; they just wanted to know and see what was behind the curtain.
No matter what they found, the realtors were confident, the property's price would be enough to cushion the financial blow. The uncertainty made the agents even more psyched to see the home, and they were looking forward to it. Moreover, Joyce had made up her mind and had decided to go ahead with the assessment.
Letting Go
The New York Times claims that physical spaces are bound to have some meaningful value that surpasses monetary gains due to their attachment to memories and experiences, according to research. In Joyce's case, she has been in her home for over seventy years, and most of that time, her husband was part of the equation, making this a very sentimental sale.
Joyce wasn't very social and thus never mingled with her neighbors as much; neither was she going to let people into her home while saying goodbye. However, on the bright side, her spirits seemed to brighten, and as the days grew closer, things kept improving.
Launch Day
The moment everyone had been counting down to finally arrived, and the Spizzirri sisters were elated to put their curiosity to rest. They had to know whether this was another regular sale or a disastrous find. However, the lingering sensation was still gnawing at them.
When they pulled up to the residence, it was a magical moment for the sisters. This was an infrequent occurrence considering the duration Joyce had stayed in that location. The sense of mystery, anxiety, and eagerness filled the air as the realtors made their way into the residence. What would they find?
Day One of Inspection
Despite the potential pitfalls, the residence standing in Old Mill was worth the realtors’ time. The neighborhood's historical significance made this sale a worthy cause, and Gladys and Carla were willing to go above and beyond to secure it.
The initial inspection showed that the house was in great shape and had been well maintained despite its age. It had the original style that was akin to its era, which included detailed brickwork. Impressively, Joyce's residence didn't have any broken bricks or faded paintwork, which increased the sisters’ hopes. However, looks can be deceiving, and did the interior have the same attention?
A Quaint Building
148 Jane Street was no different from any other streets in the region; most homes were well maintained and had the same design, complete with cute gardens. Toronto is synonymous with such construction designs, but the interior could paint a different picture as impressive as they were.
As far as good things go, they were in plenty so far, and even the lawn was very well maintained, which built the realtors' interest. This wasn't your typical run-down residence that the owner was ditching to avoid the maintenance costs, so whatever was causing the sale, it must have been considerable.
The Spizzirri Inspectors
Laws might differ, but it is unanimously agreed that sellers must disclose information that could impact a sale, such as mold and structural defects. However, some owners can be shrewd and manipulate the system since some flaws are not outlined clearly, and the owners might fail to disclose the issues to encourage sellers to bid higher.
Our kind old lady might have been hiding something ominous, such as structural flaws that have been slowly piling up for decades. That being said, the neighbors didn't have anything to say, but the Spizzirri sisters were ready to unearth the sham that probably lay before their eyes.
So Far So Good
The neighborhood was looking better than they had expected; the sight of kids riding their bicycles down the street made a case for the area as this was a common sign of a good neighborhood. Everything was showing promise, and the sisters were getting more convinced they had made a good investment.
As for the front yards, green was the name of the game; you could see plant life flourishing on every single patch visible to the naked eye. Upon further inspection, they found out Joyce's home was as decent as the rest of the homes encouraging the two sisters.
Let’s Look Closely
So far, Joyce's house didn't look like it needed any fixing or much work; the exterior showed signs of maintenance. It even had a white picket fence and a little garden that wouldn't need a lot of attention to maintain.
The Spizzirri sisters were still on edge, fearing that the hoarding was carefully masked underneath this well-maintained and glamorous exterior. However, they continued inspecting the residence, hoping they'd find evidence of their suspicions as they figured the owner would only focus on the finer details when she finally made her way to the house to give them a tour of the interior.
A-Okay
Up to this point, the exterior had painted a positive image, and the neighborhood cemented this picture. The house didn't need any expensive repairs or fixes apart from suggested landscaping that would make the property worth more than it was at that time.
The snow cover made it hard to see around, but any experienced realtor could see the potential beneath the surface. The area would go from a white sheet to a green blanket of all kinds of flora, from flowers to a green garden with a bench to help the owner enjoy some outdoor time.
So Much Potential
The more the sisters inspected, the more they got impressed by the structure's condition; nothing was faulty or ruined; it was as if the house had stubbornly withstood the hands of time and destruction. The house was definitely in better shape than Carla and Gladys had envisioned, and this was only possible if the owner had given it proper care and attention.
Apart from the snow, which hadn't been cleared for apparent reasons, everything was in proper condition. There were no eyesores visible, and the area had a picturesque vibe; that is probably why Joyce had cold feet to sell it.
Immune to the Hands of Time
Exactly 72 years had passed since Joyce made this cute house her home, and it carried most of her memories with her late husband. Joyce had made it clear that the house hadn't been renovated since 1965 when they gave it an overhaul.
Typically, this would be a red flag as many old structures that hadn't been renovated were in poor condition rendering them unsellable and beyond fixing. This was another excuse the Spizzirris had when they thought of visiting the premises. They were afraid that they'd have to drop the job and all their hard work would go to waste.
What's The Secret?
So far, nothing was out of place, neither did the realtors find any faults with the exterior of Joyce's house. Their hoarding theory was tossed to the side as all the evidence screamed the opposite; Joyce’s windows were too clean for an alleged hoarder.
The last hurdle was a typical issue that affected houses built in the '40s and '50s. Most homes back then didn't need many electrical wiring and outlets as most of the appliances used didn't need electricity. Moreover, the number of household appliances has gone up since then, and this meant that most houses built in that era required renovations to accommodate the evolution.
Getting Inside
Carla and Gladys were lost for words immediately they finally saw the interior of Joyce's home. Everything was perfectly in order, and there were almost no signs of wear and tear, which was way better than the sisters had envisioned.
The Spizzirri sisters were ready for the tour, but if they had to stop there, they wouldn't be disappointed; the house was already blowing their minds with the little they had seen. This was a well-maintained residence, and the owner loved it. Joyce had put in a lot of work to make sure it stayed this way but was that enough to encourage the realtors?
Perfect Hobby
Joyce proudly gave a tour of the place, explaining she was a dressmaker for most of her adult life, and whenever she is free, the elderly lady uses the time to polish and perfect her interior design skills. Joyce took her hobby seriously and used her skills to showcase all her passions and preferences.
Sadly, not many people knew of this hidden gem, and had things turned out differently, fewer still would have ever known of its existence. Joyce was finally joining a retirement community, and that's the reason why her little treasure trove was going to be shared with the public.
Fort Knox
The house’s visual inspection hadn't given any hints on what to expect once you got inside, and Joyce wasn't one to flaunt her skills or designs to the outside world. Joyce was a private woman, and it only made sense that things were this way, further adding to the mystery.
Gladys and Carla were clueless on what to expect and just had to maintain their speculations and exercise patience when waiting for the old lady to give them the big reveal. Something exciting was brewing, and Joyce's demeanor changed from apprehension to pride when she finally took the girls around her home.
The Puzzle Fits
As soon as they stepped inside, Carla and Gladys finally made sense of it all; they understood why Joyce was having issues selling the home. Very few people would have the guts to let go of such an excellent investment, and Joyce had been invested in this place for several decades, even longer than some people have lived.
The finishings were splendid all over, and the construction was so well preserved the realtors had a hard time believing this was a 70-year-old house. However, despite its glorious nature, these factors had little to do with what made the place so special.
A Time Machine
The minute you walk into Joyce's home; you are greeted with a strikingly excellent design that would make you want to shed a tear or two. Joyce wasn't hoarding or hiding some form of chaos in her house; quite the contrary, this was a well-maintained space that some would consider a national heritage.
The wallpaper’s design betrayed its era, but it was in such pristine condition you'd think it had been applied a few minutes ago. The ornate mirror with its matching stand, the antique lighting, and the stylish chair pictured above made this welcome more impressive.
Throwing Down in The '60s
According to Joyce, the original kitchen modeled in the '40s couldn't cut it, forcing them to renovate in 1956. Back in the '40s, boilers and massive stones were the norm but their inefficiency and impracticality in modern times made them outdated before long.
Everything in Joyce's kitchen was true to its era. Everything was meant to match a particular aesthetic, from the stove to the tiles and the general design. The old lady had done a marvelous job bringing everything together and making this area a museum of some sort.
Passion Is In The Details
Upon closer inspection, you'd be taken in by Joyce's kitchen; the color coordination between the paint and the tiles was immaculate. The level of elegance and attention to detail showed that Joyce and her husband had a very comfortable life in that house.
This wasn't just a home for Joyce, it was her life's work, and she was full of pride as to what she had achieved. The shining countertops and handles make you feel like you're walking into the set of a high-end cooking show that aired in the '60s. If back to the future used a kitchen, this would be it.
Living In Luxury
The living room wasn't spared either, Joyce's color palette was quite evident, and her curation of tone on tone colors was part of the whole ensemble. Light pink was the main culprit, and the color adorned most of the seating surfaces, and a similar hue matched the surrounding pieces. Looking at this image, you wouldn't be faulted for thinking a professional was called in to set things up.
The Spizzirri sisters were in awe at the marvel before them, and they slowly started seeing why selling the home would be a struggle. This was a time capsule that had visual records of life in the '50s!
Going Retro
This level of pastel was all new to Carla and Gladys, and surprisingly it worked well. It was like the more time you spent exploring the room, the more it took you in, and the warmness enveloped you. The colors were like warm chocolate on a cold day, more delicious with every sip and the different shades represented the marshmallows that softly cushioned your mouth.
The ornaments and antique furniture must have taken a long time to amass, and the owner stipulated that she had tried her best to maintain originality. All we are looking at is Joyce's style and nothing else.
Eating Like Royalty
In Joyce's home, light pastel shades complemented other hues bringing some uncanny glory. Floral patterns adorned the wallpapers, and the gold touches highlighting them gave the wallpapers a metallic sheen that boosted the room’s ambiance.
Joyce had pulled off a miracle that very few people can even dream of trying. Grand finishings made the walls feel palace-like, and the choice of artwork lining the wall made the aesthetic more viable. Leonardo Da Vinci's last supper was one of the paintings making the dining area have some life. Gladys and Carla were in the presence of greatness, and they knew it.
Sunlight Reigns Supreme
The open curtains let in a flood of precious sunlight into the rooms adding more visibility to the luxurious experience. Joyce had factored in this aspect when choosing her designs as the sun accentuated the golden highlights and pastel colors, making the room feel super bright and luxurious.
The vintage charm was aplenty, and the realtors couldn't help but notice how well the designs melded with the arrangements. It was almost like one room guides you to the next, and the more you saw, the more at home and curious you felt. At this point, Carla and Gladys were more excited than ever to take this on.
Vintage Perfection
Fast Company deems the vivid hues and pastel colors prevalent in the '50s a cultural obsession. Interestingly, many people still find the vintage designs and color schemes appealing and enticing when done right. Joyce had nailed the ball out of the park, and she was a testament to how good things can be if carefully curated.
Joyce's was so great that the Daily Mail was quoted claiming that one of the most iconic sitcoms in the '50s called I Love Lucy would have been shot there, and no one would know the difference. Each room was faithful to the era, and it was more than enough to pull heartstrings.
Pink is Fabulous
As much as pastel was the underlying element in Joyce's design choice, each room had its theme and vibe that she was trying to bring out. Moreover, the lady had a knack for utilizing small spaces to their maximum potential, and this pink room shows you just that.
The owner's daughter had told the Spizzirri sisters that Joyce loved pink, and this pink room was her favorite. The room was made up of unique textures and minimal ornamental touches, complete with pastel pink, which brought out Joyce's love for the color and aesthetic.
Back to The Drawing Board
Joyce’s handiwork took in the Spizzirri sisters, and the pretty pink room had impressed them. Going forward, they agreed that this house's features and design elements were too good to be wasted.
The house was mainly adorned with a feminine touch, and feminine elements ruled the day. As much as this was impressively maintained and taken care of, it was more than enough to make any male buyer think twice before settling in. Their only option was to convince Joyce to redo the color scheme, but wouldn't that ruin the aesthetic built over the years?
A Man Cave
Before they could present their suggestions, Joyce had one last surprise for Carla and Gladys. Joyce informed them that she had a spacious entertainment space downstairs, but when the sisters made their way down, they were taken aback by its size.
The area housed a wet bar, a couch and had wooden elements all over. This was clearly a man cave for Joyce's husband to escape all the feminine features Joyce had lumped in the main living area. The large carpeted area had more than enough room to host people and socialize freely without hindrances.
The Final Check Box
Everything else had cleared the checklist, and it was time for the final round of inspections. The Spizzirri sisters had to find out whether they had to contend with physical damage. Most houses built in this era had this issue, and it was pretty surprising how well Joyce had looked after her house.
Unsurprisingly, the plumbing and lighting fixtures were in order, and the realtors were ready to greenlight the house for sale. Before they could take the following steps, Joyce had one more thing she felt she had to let her agents know.
Red Alert?
Joyce had won over her realtors, and everything was looking up. However, she was willing to sell the house, but she would keep her furniture. This was a blow for the sisters since they had already grown fond of Joyce's work. However, there was a silver lining as unfurnished homes had a higher chance of being sold.
It would be a tough call for the sisters as this new information would force them to take apart the time capsule to respect the client's wishes. Hopefully, something would change along the way.
A Silver Lining
Luckily, the furniture pieces were going to the home of Joyce's daughter, who would cherish them as she had grown up around them. This made it easier for the Spizzirris to take everything apart as the reason held some weight.
However, Joyce’s house’s story doesn't end there as news of this fantastic time capsule caught news outlets’ attention after going viral. Those who managed to catch a glimpse of the house saw it as a museum, giving it some significance. It was a given reaction that everyone who saw the two-story home loved it.
Finally, A Quick Sale
After looking at the house and finding out why it wasn't selling, Carla and Gladys were able to set a price of $699,000 for the property, which was around their ballpark. The house didn't stay on the market for too long, and someone snatched it up as soon as it was made public.
The new owner had made a sound purchase and had won themselves a magical item that would forever be a conversation piece when guests made their way to the home. It might look like a simple brick home, but once you stepped inside, you were in for a trip.
Timeless Art
It was a tough decision, but Joyce isn't complaining; she moved into a retirement home and is happy all the weight has come off her shoulders, and she no longer has to look after her prized home. She can now kick back, relax and enjoy her sunset years in peace knowing the property is in great hands.
Carla and Gladys are happy about how things turned out, and they are still going strong, with the firm racking up more sales than ever. We are just glad we got to see something unique, thanks to Joyce, and hopefully, the new owner appreciates the place just as much as we do!