Buying the house of their dreams is a common goal among people, as it symbolizes success and labor. Imagine getting your dream house for nothing. Julie and Eddie Flores of Kansas received a free historic Dutch colonial house in Lincoln, and it was a life-changing event for them. The couple with three children initially had no plans to move. However, when visiting Julie’s birthplace, they discovered an abandoned Dutch colonial mansion with precious secrets hidden beneath its worn façade.The couple, seeing the property as their future home, was enthralled by its possibilities.
The negative aspect? The house would have to be relocated within a year or dismantled. The Lincoln County Hospital & Healthcare Foundation offered the house for free if the new owner agreed to move it. Social media users disseminated information about the “free house” swiftly, leading to the applicants’ selection by a local committee.Eddie and Julie decided to apply, meeting the criteria set out by the committee, which included a promise to preserve the Lincoln house and utilize it as a family home.
Together, they tackled the project of renovating the house. They posted updates about their journey on social media, sharing their efforts and the surprising discoveries they discovered during the restoration process.
They restored the house, replacing the roof and closing any exposed spots in preparation for the transfer. During the house’s demolition, some interesting finds were found, such as children’s handprints from 1973.
Julie and Eddie were determined to preserve the historical value of the property despite several challenges, such as cockroach-infested insulation.Unruh Home Moving was assigned the largest assignment, which was to move the home.
Eddie and Julie observed the move with great interest, watching as their dream home was loaded onto a truck and moved to a new location just two miles away. Currently residing in a house owned by Julie’s parents, the Flores family is always working to complete modifications.
Working with local businesses, they hope to convert their house into a community project and finish the $95,000 worth of improvements by Thanksgiving. Despite the challenges, Julie and Eddie’s journey is a metaphor for the benefits of tenacity, a sense of belonging, and the joy that results from turning a run-down property into a cherished family home.