Walking into an older home is no less than taking a risk for real estate agents. Sometimes a house can be a mess and dilapidation after years of abandonment, or it can be a total surprise from the inside. Realtor sisters Gladys and Carla Spizzirri were excited for the year 2014 as they were assuming it to be the best year. And, one day, they were contacted by a 96-year older woman from Toronto who wanted to sell her house in Bloor West Village.

Moreover, the nearby neighbors also had no idea how the house looks from the inside. But, after entering the house for the first time, the pair was speechless. But, little did they know what was waiting for them on the inside!

The real estate agent

The Spizzirri sisters started working together in 2009 when they found out they both work well together. Moreover, one sister holds the duty of finding the listings, and the other has the responsibility of closing on the listings with possible clients. The duo worked just like a well-oiled clock with all their gears moving simultaneously.

However, in 2014, the day they got a call from the old lady was just a typical day at the estate agency; everybody was doing their daily tasks like answering calls, showing listings, and closing the deals. Besides, no one thought that day would be different from the usual days.

Taking the challenge as a group

When the phone bell rang in the office, Carla was the first one who picked up the phone, whereas on the other side was Joyce, the landlady of 148 Jane Street. Furthermore, Joyce spoke with nervousness and shared that she was 96 years of age and looking to sell her home in Toronto. Carla was stunned after hearing from Joyce how well organized she sounds for someone who is old.

Moreover, Carla can not help but wonder about her old relative, to see how much more aware Joyce sounded for someone close to 100, or that she had been still living alone at the age of 96. Although Joyce's age might not be the most shocking revelation, she would make to Carla during that unforgettable telephone conversation.

It was not a regular business as usual

The Spizzirri nervously walked up the steps of 148 Jane Street; besides, they were expecting their hopes to be entirely shattered when Joyce revealed herself as an extreme hoarder. Furthermore, the sisters were happily surprised and astounded as they walked through the front door.

The house resembled a huge treasure chest. Besides, each room was a perfect fusion of the 1950s and 60s that had been carefully protected. Apart from this, the beautifully preserved home was a combination of pastel-colored Easter eggs and vintage furniture. Carla and Gladys were shocked and couldn't believe how flawlessly she maintained the furniture; also, every room was more stunning than the last.

The homeowner hid something

Working in the real-estate business always involves some risks, which Spizzirri sisters were already aware of from their experience in this industry. Moreover, Glady and Carla have worked with many hoarders before, which is an inevitable part of the work. Like, what sorts of things have been gathered on the property.

Additionally, after discovering that Joyce lived in the house since 1942, also she had made no change or work on the house; hoarding seemed to be a possibility for them. Besides, the matter becomes more concerning when they hear a bit of hesitation in Joyce's voice. As far as Spizzirri was concerned, every hint was moving towards the chaos.

Was this a time machine or a house?

The real-estate sisters couldn't believe their eyes, as each room was so neatly painted in pastel pinks, mint green, lavender, and robin's egg blue. Besides, the fabrics were in pristine condition, and the furnishings were simply traditional pieces from the 50s and 60s.

Furthermore, every room was decorated and cushioned in the manner of the time, and most importantly, each space was perfectly color-coordinated. Even though the furnishings appeared to be in excellent condition, the home, which has not been renovated for many years, undoubtedly requires a complete upgrade of each appliance.

The value of staying in one house for a lifetime

An older house can be a complete ripoff if it is not adequately cared for and maintained, with the overall maintenance adding up year after year. However, when preparing the budget for simple house repairs, a successful rule of thumb is to set aside 1% of the home's expense. But, this does not allow you to consider how long the house had been purchased.

Moreover, Joyce moved into Jane Street in 1942 with her husband, and the house age alone has required much more than the regular maintenance to keep it functional. Therefore, the sisters had to determine if any flaws were hiding in the building carefully.

The interior design

Gladys and Carla were shocked by Joyce's careful attention to small details in the home's design. Besides, it was clear that decorating the house was indeed a collaborative process, but maintaining it in tip-top condition had been a passion project in the following decades.

Apart from this, houses built within 5-10 years require little work and maintenance, but once the home reaches the age of 20 or 30, items begin to show signs of wear and tear. However, except for the one room, everything was working well since the house was first bought.

In-depth examination of the appliances

There was not a single light fitting or part of the plumbing that was not working. The only area that was repaired since 1950 was the kitchen. However, the kitchen had been renovated before, but only once, and that too in the 1960s. But, no other spaces in the home had been touched or updated since then.

Although common appliances such as ovens and refrigerators usually have a working life of 10 or 15 years. Besides, Joyce, a world war II and recession survivor, knew the value of a bit of elbow grease. However, focusing on her early investment in home maintenance, Joyce had saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the years.

Pouring resources in the future

Every type of furniture in the house was charming and picturesque; the color-coordinated rooms were vintage from the 1950s and 1960s. Besides, those dining sets and small pieces of decor, even though Joyce did not realize it at that time, would turn out to be super lucrative purchases.

Furthermore, when it comes to buying a home, furniture adds value to it. However, many people purchase furniture intending to sell it at the auction later. But, Joyce's 50s and 60s furnishings were clearly chosen by women with a passion for interior design. At present, Joyce's contemporary modern furniture could mean a lot for her.

A retro and modern masterpiece

According to the Spizzirri sisters listings, Joyce's furnishings are all antique 1950s and 1960s pieces. Besides, back in the past years, midcentury, modern furniture, decorative elements have been in vogue and stylish. As a result, their value has been increasing with each passing year.

Furthermore, a house full of mid-century furniture and antique items would add charm to 148 Jane Street. On the other hand, Joyce had no idea she was sitting on those precious items. Besides, most of the furniture pieces that had been chosen then are now distinctive. How did even she decide to decorate her house in such a unique way?

This is a labor of love, not a job.

From the decoration of the house, it would be easy to assume that Joyce had been worked as an interior decorator. Unfortunately, she had spent her working years as a dressmaker, but Joyce had always taken a keen interest in interior design.

Furthermore, "I have always wanted to be an individual, and pursue my own style," Joyce said, despite not following it as a career. Besides, there was no doubt her style was evident in every room; the home looks entirely pastel pink. How would the public respond to such a surprising listing, even though the house was a masterpiece?

Is it too much for a great thing?

Gladys and Carla could see how much thought and effort Joyce had put into each room with most of the metallic paper, curtains, coordinating carpets, and matching quilted seating sets. However, as they both moved from room to room, they began to believe that they might face a problem.

Moreover, Spizzirri's sister's initial shock at moving back in time wore off as Joyce guided Gladys and Carla into her house. Additionally, they noticed that the decor was extremely feminine. Despite their doubts that any purchaser will renovate the property, understanding and appearance are vital aspects of any sale. Would it be attractive enough to the customers?

Some change in the surroundings

Joyce's husband gave her permission to customize every room precisely as she wanted when she and her husband moved into Jane Street home in 1942. However, her husband gave her one exception to not use pink hues in the master bedroom. On the other hand, Joyce provided something more than a pink-free bedroom to her husband.

Furthermore, Joyce totally understood that her husband needed a less feminine place in which he can relax. Therefore, one room was furnished as the ideal place for her husband to lay down with a cocktail. Moreover, the wooden-paneled mini bar is a mid-century modern enthusiast's desire. So, what does everyone in the market think about Joyce's 50s and 60s dream luxury home?

The house is on trending

Joyce's exquisitely preserved home went viral when Gladys and Carla placed the listing on the marketplace. However, it was not just ambitious landowners that were mesmerized by the treasure box, which was 148 Jane Street. People were amazed that such a piece of art had been hidden from public view, especially when combined with the unmatched beauty of Joyce's story.

Moreover, with all the hype gathering around the homeowner; fascination with pink and purple, the free publicity was amazing. But would anyone consider the house as a time machine? Or would they see it as a potential investment?

Combining a final price

With all the metallic wallpaper, pale pink, and purple carpeting, prospective customers would probably have to spend a small fortune freshen up the place and move it into the more modern times. Despite their original predicted price of $968,000, it needs to be taken into account.

Gladys and Carla had to incorporate Joyce's house uniqueness into their calculations as they brought together their final listing. Although, just as any real estate agent does for an average home, that meant more market research needed to be done. Therefore, how did Joyce's time machine household up against the competition?

Houses that have recently come to the market

For lack of a better phrase, novelty houses don't come on the market very often, but they can be challenging to sell when they do. Besides, a potential buyer might have had difficulty seeing a building's value behind all its unique features.

However, that is where experts like Carla and Gladys Spizzirri get a chance to flourish. Besides, other houses that have sparked the internet's interest due to their unique design include all-purple dwellings from the 1980s, which were listed for just $500,000. Retro homes, on the other hand, could be more difficult to sell.

How does Joyce's house compare?

In contrast, a house on the market in San Antonio, Texas, was similarly stuck in time like Joyce's. However, having all the original 1970s decor, the real estate agents listed the property for $355,000. But, the more vintage aesthetic of Joyce's Jane Street house made her 1950s and 1960s decor much more appealing.

Apart from this, a similar two-story bungalow in St. Louis, Missouri was designed and furnished in 1950, much like Joyce's Jane Street home, but somehow had never been occupied. Besides, the home and its antique furniture were up for sale for $129,000. Additionally, Joyce's house had one more advantage that many others lacked.

A listing price that is ideal

No doubt Joyce's home was special, but that was not the only thing that made it attractive. Moreover, the address 148 Jane Street was still a charm for those who are looking to buy a home in Old Mill, amid its uniqueness. Finally, Spizzirri settled on $699,000 as of the property's original asking price.

Additionally, just after that, the realtor sisters decided to find the ideal new owners for the home for which Joyce had spent more than half of her life caring for. Moreover, first-time owners should consider a few aspects before signing the contract, just like Joyce and her husband did when they first gazed at their dream home.

Understanding the basics of home-buying

When looking for a property, anyone who is new to the real estate game should keep few tips in mind. Although 148 Jane Street had been beautifully maintained, even a home built from one of the finest brick's, is not nearly as important as the land on which it resides.

While there was a large patch of artificial grass in Joyce's backyard, it was not as retro-chic as the rest of the home. However, it is the land itself that cherishes over time, which is something Joyce had been taking full advantage of. Here, the famous saying location, location, the location stands true.

Housing Market earlier and now

The Baby Boomer generation flared up the housing market in the 1940s and 1950s. However, even with the sudden need for larger houses to fit young and growing families, the housing market would have looked very different earlier in the 1940s than it does now.

Furthermore, when Joyce and her husband purchased their house, they accidentally made the best investment of their future. On the other hand, what Joyce and her husband paid for the Jane Street home in 1942 would have been a smaller number than Gladys and Carla had set the price over 70 years later.

Turnout the profit

While purchasing a property, the idea is that when the time comes to move, the home will be able to provide a healthy profit. Moreover, a new home buyer doesn't have to think about the additional cost of damaged wiring or improper plumbing installation.

Furthermore, there had been no problems with the interior construction of the Jane Street home since Joyce was the one who took ownership of the house. Therefore, future homeowners can feel secure due to the house's good quality and increasing land value. In addition, even after 72 years in the same place, what was Joyce's plan?

A positive initial calculation

The sisters began calculating the Jane Street house's conservative estimated net worth. Gladys and Carla already knew the importance of calculating a home's reasonable market price before purchasing or selling it as professional home sellers.

The real-estate sisters used the market data to decide what they thought about the house was the reasonable market price. However, Gladys was familiar with the sale prices of the area, despite selling many homes in that part of the location. Although, before they became too interested in the potential land, Joyce said something that made Gladys and Carla highly worried about their chances of selling it.

A day well spent in the neighborhood

As the Spizzirri sisters were experienced realtors, they understood that while calculating the fair selling price of Joyce's Jane Street home, they need to consider many factors in mind. For instance, one of the most important things to keep in mind was the neighborhood, which could significantly affect the pricing.

On the other hand, that area was well-renowned for its affluent residents, high-end luxury hotels, and trendy storefronts. A 96-year older woman Joyce was living alone, which was uncommon for her age and the resident area. Also, her neighbors had no clue what was going on inside Joyce's 148 Jane Street home.

The home of existence

Joyce confessed Gladys and Carla before they could fully enjoy the chance of securing a valuable listing. Besides, Joyce told the Spizzirri sisters that she decided it was time to leave her old home in the established Toronto area after 72 years. The real-estate sisters immediately became worried.

Living in almost the same place for a long time might give various obstacles in selling it. Furthermore, the Spizzirri wondered how 96-year older women had maintained a 3-bedroom house for so many years. Moreover, the realtor's duo was also afraid that the house, which had not changed in years, might be completely decayed.

Does untouched mean impossible to sell?

The possibility that the home had not been repaired in any way in over 70 years might clearly indicate that it was in a state of poor condition that made it valueless. Also, how many repairs does the house need even if they hired a professional cleaning service to take care of the mess?

Moreover, the average cost of the kitchen renovation can be approximately around $20K, and that too for just one room. However, Carla and Glady were not expecting 96-year older women to invest in money and time to make the house more appealing for buyers. Had the realtors signed an unprofitable listing?

Going forward with an approximate

Gladys and Carla keep their worries aside for a moment; the house location was too appealing for them to miss a chance to work on a project. Consequently, the sisters finalized the price range they thought was appropriate after considering the surrounding area and the estimated closure of listings on $968,000.

Furthermore, the Spizzirri happily approached Joyce's with their proposal at the possibility of assisting a 96-year older woman for selling her house for far more than she could have ever imagined. However, after talking with Joyce to turn the house into a gold mine, another problem arises.

Sudden skepticism

Although Glady and Carla were delighted about their valuation, they both were still worried about the house's condition. Additionally, to make the realtors more concerned about the state of the property, Joyce was considering withdrawing her home from the listing process.

However, it is totally understandable to get attached to the house and all the memories that have been made thereafter living in the same place for more than seven decades. But was this the reason Joyce was unwilling to put her house on the market? What exactly was happening behind closed doors of 148 Jane Street?

Concerns related to real estate calmed down

Carla and Gladys Spizzirri were already sure that the house's worth based on its area alone might create the listing appealing; however, they still have yet to see inside the house. Also, Joyce had only given them a photograph of the front side of Jane Street home.

Whereas the photograph did not give Spizzirri any serious concern, but Joyce's hesitation in selling her old home was still troubling. Besides, Joyce continued expressing her discomfort with the thought of leaving her home as she was attached to it. Even after their reservations, Gladys and Carla Spizzirri understood what they had to do.

Trying to convince the seller to take action and leave

Undoubtedly, it is not easy to say goodbye to a house in which you have spent 72-years of your life; the same thing happened with Joyce at 148 Jane Street. The house was more than a concrete building to Joyce. On the other hand, the realtors were supportive, as they have spent many years in the real estate industry. Therefore, they knew how to deal with the clients who were nervous about selling their homes.

Furthermore, they were not ready to let Joyce give into her uncertainty when they had a chance to make a nearly million-dollar sale. Moreover, after a few phone calls and lots of encouragement, Joyce was ready to welcome Gladys and Carla into her home. Lately, what the sisters had discovered was totally different from what they had imagined.

Prepared to move forward and move out of the house

While it was difficult for Joyce to say goodbye to her home at the age of 96, she was all prepared to move into an elderly home. Though Joyce was still razor-sharp but with all her capabilities, she decided that it was time for something smaller and manageable.

Furthermore, the hard work she put into keeping the home in perfect condition for over 70 years, in all of its 1950s and 1960s elegance, finally became too much for someone so old. Thus, it's the time when someone else would have to take care of such a unique house.