There are moments I seriously question our sanity. Taking on a project of this size, just the two of us, feels overwhelming at times—like trying to see the forest through the thickest of trees. But here’s the thing: every crazy decision we’ve made so far has been worth it.
The plan for this Extreme Home Makeover? Restore it to its former glory while building efficiency into every inch of it. The efficiency part? That’s where it gets complicated. We have this massive house, sitting out here in what feels like the ruralest corner of the state. We’re about a mile off gravel—something we never gave much thought to until our first garden tour. Turns out, not everyone loves gravel roads like we do.
But hearing those whispers of doubt? That only fuels us. It’s our fire to make this property so spectacular that gravel doesn’t even cross people’s minds—they’ll want to come out here regardless.
And let’s be real: this house is a lot. I mean, it’s the product of a TV show called Extreme Home Makeover, not Charming Iowa Farmhouse. The family that originally lived here probably would’ve been perfectly happy with a cozy, typical Iowa home. But no, they got “extreme,” and now so do we.
We’ve got our work cut out for us. Inside, it’s all about taking baby steps. We’ve tackled one bathroom—making it functional but not yet perfect. Heating costs were insane, so we installed a wood-burning stove, which has been a game-changer. We’ve painted, re-insulated, and done little fixes here and there.
The dream? Once we’ve gotten this place back in shape, we want to open it up to the community. We imagine it as the perfect spot to host events, maybe even a place for guests to stay and experience life on the farm.
Every year, we inch closer to our vision, balancing the farm’s needs with the house’s endless to-do list. It’s chaotic, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming—but it’s also one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever done.
Because for us, it’s not a matter of if we’ll make it happen. It’s a matter of what comes next when we finally do.
Moral of the story… The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Step out of your comfort zone. Chase the wild, impossible dream. It’d be insane not to.
-Jamie ❤️✌🏼
- Team Work Makes The Dream Work!
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If I am being honest… this house was not our first choice, it wasn’t really our second. We had moved around the country a bit for our careers. Then of course 2020 hit us like a ton of bricks. My job turned virtual and Ryan already had the ability to work anywhere in the country.Continue reading “We Bought An Extreme Home Makeover House” - Any Means Necessary
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Moral Of The Story 
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