Some people love spending their hard-earned cash on traveling or collecting designer items, but it's safe to say that purchasing a perfect home is one of the best goals they can tick off their bucket list. Whether it's a simple bungalow or a palatial mansion, there’s no greater joy than having a house to call your own!

Unfortunately, it’s not exactly easy to buy a habitable property these days, but thankfully, this is where the art of DIY comes into play. Meet Jenna Asher, the woman who took Do-It-Yourself to a whole new level and decided to own her first house, regardless of the real estate prices.

Decision of a Lifetime

Ever since she was a young girl, Jenna wanted nothing more than to build her dream house by a tranquil lake, preferably a huge log cabin with a cozy fireplace. It seemed like an impossible goal to achieve until she saw a dilapidated structure similar to what she had in mind somewhere in the woods of Oregon - Jenna knew it had to be destiny.

It was the first time this woman would be taking the lead on putting up her humble abode and she was optimistic about the results early on.

Her Life's Pursuit

Having a successful career after graduating with a master's degree in Economics and finding the love of her life, Andy, Jenna was sure she could turn the dream of owning her own house into a reality. The other thing that motivated her was the fact that she wanted to start a family with Andy, pronto!

Jenna knew that life would not stop for her if she were to sit around and wait for a 'golden opportunity' to buy a house. She'd rather take every risk that would lead her to the perfectly serene life she always wanted; gathering all her courage, Jenna went for it.

Close With Nature

Looking at Jenna, one wouldn’t think she was someone who enjoyed being in the great outdoors. But it’s the only place where she entirely felt at ease with herself, which is why she’s always wanted to live in the woods.

What’s interesting about her decision was how her relatives and friends weren’t sure whether she had what it takes to do so. As a city girl who was used to having the comforts of 24-hour stores at her disposal, adjusting to the backwoods life might be challenging! Yet, there was no stopping Jenna, and thankfully her husband was equally as passionate as her.

Her Family Had Apprehensions

Of course, it was only natural for Jenna’s family to look out for her welfare, especially since it would be the first time she’d be away from home. Aside from that, they knew how dangerous it would be to reside far away from civilization in times of emergencies.

Yet Jenna stood her ground – she was adamant that finding a cabin in the woods and living a woodsy life would best suit her and her soon-to-be family. There’s no harm in fulfilling your dreams, right? So, there was nothing they could do but help and make sure Jenna wouldn’t regret this decision!

The Wild Life

There are probably a thousand different creatures out in the wild – from creepy crawlies to ferocious wolves. It's not going to be safe for Jenna and her future kids to explore the woods on their own, which worried Jenna's parents like no other.

Relocating to the woods is no joke, and no one knows this better than the nature-loving Jenna and her husband, Andy, but it was an exciting thing they didn’t want to let go of. However, the couple needed to do one last important thing before they could realize their lifelong goal; otherwise, they'd have to bid this grand plan goodbye.

No Money, More Problems

It was only a matter of time before the couple realized they needed a sizeable amount of cash to get the ball rolling. It's not like they weren't doing well financially; it's just that properties have grown ridiculously expensive in today’s economy – even if the piece of plot is in the middle of nowhere.

At some point, the duo was on the verge of giving up as they thought they didn’t have enough funds to purchase land. They were about to lose hope until luck started to turn in their favor!

An Unlikely Hero

Most people say that in order to navigate through life successfully, one needs to have connections. Whether it's for a job or getting that much-needed favor, knowing the right person can make or break a decision. In this case, their dreams were saved by the most unlikely individual – her dad's old fishing buddy.

It turns out Uncle George had a property he wants off his hands, and he thought he’d give it to Jenna as a way to help. Jenna couldn’t believe the rare opportunity, but she couldn’t just take it for free. So, when he offered it for $100 for formality’s sake, Jenna snatched it up right away!

Location Matters

Jenna and Andy celebrated their good fortune, but at the back of their mind, they wondered why Uncle George was more than willing to dispatch the property for free. They asked whether this was a good deal or maybe they just made the biggest mistake of their lives.

The Ashers figured a quick visit to the property would put their minds at ease, but they were surprised to find out it was more than they bargained for when they got there. The place was humongous, and unbeknownst to her at the time, it was only a few meters away from a crystal-clear lake.

The Cabin in the Woods

Exhilarated with their discovery, Jenna inspected the land further and found a run-down cabin with barely a roof covering its entire floor area. She suddenly felt maybe this might be unsalvageable, considering the wood was rotted, and they would have to re-do almost everything!

They cautiously stepped inside the saw the interior was not only outdated, but it was filthy! Despite this finding, Jenna thought this wouldn't be an easy task to conquer – she might have to seek others' help to make the area fit for human occupancy. This renovation was going to be a long journey, indeed!

Optimistic Outlook

Amidst the obvious hard work that’s bound to come their way, Jenna was positive about her new abode’s outcome. It’s a bit of a fixer-upper, but once she’s done sprucing it up, it will be unrecognizable but in a good way! She hoped the wide oak beams would provide a spacious feel to the area– and Jenna already has a few ideas in mind.

Meanwhile, Andy thinks that as long as they use whatever resources they have, the renovation wouldn't cost as much, but it will look awesome nonetheless! It’s one risk worth taking for sure.

The Restoration Begins

Now, this is where the real fun begins! Jenna signed up a bunch of her cousins and friends who could lend a hand in restoring the old cabin’s hay-day. Fortunately, her family made time to drop by and provided assistance every now and then despite their hesitations about the whole project.

Somehow, the derelict log house became everyone's favorite bonding activity as all of Jenna's loved ones couldn't wait to complete it and have a sleepover. It wasn't long until the cabin started to take an excellent shape; however, the Ashers encountered some issues along the way that posed a serious problem – what could it be this time?

Basement Issues

Part of Jenna's dream house layout was to have a large basement, which could double as a pantry and a game area. The family assumed there would be enough land to excavate, but they, unfortunately, hit bedrock at only 6 feet – it was a disaster!

Not one to back down from a crisis, Jenna thought of a clever idea – why not elevate the house so she could keep her original basement plan without compromising the entire timeline? They’d have to shuffle some plans around a bit, but it looks like it was their best option.

Solution to Consider

Jenna couldn’t be talked out of her basement goals, so she had to be creative in more ways than one. Thankfully, she was building a house right in the middle of the forest, so she could have as much wood as she wanted. As such, Jenna went ahead and brought down some oak trees to use as the log house's main framework.

Jenna felt a bit guilty about doing so, but she had no choice! But in the process, they discovered the ugly cabin had a magical secret that turned Jenna and Andy into instant local celebrities.

The Mystical Lake

Who would have ever thought there would be something so beautiful underneath all the rubble? Apparently, the entire property was sitting right above a water table, and after countless days of digging, a mysterious lake was unearthed.

With this latest feature readily available, Jenna realized now was the best time to have a wooden dock created – and maybe get a little boat to go with it. This way, not only will they enjoy the scenery, but now they could have other activities like swimming and canoeing – it was perfect! It seemed all was in order until another issue came to light one morning.

Unexpected Drama

All the stress that the entire family has been under has finally caught up with them. And all of a sudden, they were snapping at each other due out of exhaustion. As such, each of them began to get sick and impatient about why the project was taking so long.

Some of her cousins began to arrive late or even missing some days. But Jenna persevered and maintained her cheery disposition. Andy, on the other hand, was worried about the rising expenses! Yet, they finally started to see the light at the end of the tunnel when the house transformed right before their eyes.

Built to Last

Little by little, the structure's façade looked more like a cabin, thanks to all the sturdy logs they've accumulated and used to form it. Jenna thought they were almost done, but they noticed there were alarming gaps between the logs upon careful inspection. It had an irregular shape that made it critical to address since the inside of the house would be damaged in case it rained.

Luckily, Jenna recalled one trick her grandfather used to do in their old mountain cabins – and that’s incorporating chicken wire slathered with daubs in between the logs!

Ultimate Cabin Goals

The pair were now inches away from acquiring their long-awaited woodsy dwelling, and Jenna was excited to furnish it with the prettiest furniture she could find! Initially, she wanted to go the traditional route and use a lot of wooden pieces, but she also considered adding a modern touch to it – that would make it a cut above the rest.

So far, Jenna and Andy have already spent more than fifty grand in total, and they expect the bills would pile up in no time. Interestingly enough, Jenna found a nifty technique to decrease their costs!

Old Oak is the Way to Go

Being surrounded by trees while doing construction has its perks, and Jenna thought she could up the ante by being more resourceful, so she checked the area for large trees that have fallen down was salvageable. Honestly, they've already cut down a couple since they commenced, and they didn’t want to add more.

Instead of purchasing expensive lumber, Jenna made use of an old oak tree that fell down less than a mile from the construction site. Naturally, the carpenter was undoubtedly impressed at how the oak transformed into a gorgeous set of window sills plus several bedroom doors – that’s thousands in savings right there!

The Grand Fireplace

Due to its large scale, it was apparent that the entire ground floor's centerpiece would have to be a fireplace. And Jenna didn't want one of those electric ones, but a true-blue rustic design that would catch anyone’s eye the minute they walked into the house!

They figured the best style to go with would be the Rumford hearth as not only would it provide better heat within the cabin, but it would also allow cooking too! The expansive space around it would be the ideal spot for the family to gather and share stories come Christmas time. Jenna couldn’t wait for that moment to happen!

A Lofty Surprise

To minimize electricity costs, it was essential to design a cabin that would have ample natural light. Jenna and Andy thought it would be cost-efficient to install more glass windows around the house, even on some parts of the roof.

The bedrooms were also another area to consider since they weren’t as big as they would’ve liked. Fortunately, there was a simple solution to their problem – lofts! Jenna went ahead and ensured all rooms had a loft-style interior that faced colossal bay windows. It was cozy, and definitely something guests would appreciate too!

Kind Neighborly Acts

It takes a village to build a house from the ground up without the help of professionals, and luckily for Jenna, they had the best neighbors who offered their services sans any payment. Since they spent a considerable amount of time together, they went from mere neighbors to very close friends.

As soon as the project was done, the neighbors surprised the duo with an unexpected gift – a classic wooden dining table that fits right into their house's motif. Jenna felt so grateful for this present since it also meant that's one piece of furniture off her shopping list!

A Summer Home

It took them a few years to officially finish their new home, but the Asher couple couldn't be any happier that it's done! However, in a surprising turn of events, Jenna and Andy surmised it would be a fabulous idea to turn this cabin into their vacation spot instead. Even if they aren't around 24/7, they'd still consider it their second home.

The rest of the clan were shocked and amused at this turnout, but they supported Jenna nonetheless. Meanwhile, the younger cousins were actually ecstatic they had a brand-new summer or winter destination – it’s one place they could have all to themselves too!

A Story to Share

Now that the dust has settled and everything is as it should be, Jenna talked to Andy about sharing their renovation success with the rest of the world. It didn't sit well with Andy at first, but he eventually warmed up to the idea – especially since their tricks would help a lot of DIY enthusiasts.

They began with baby steps, and by that, it meant posting pictures on social media. Jenna snapped several photos of the interior for show, but some were also personal pictures with her and the family enjoying typical moments together like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

It Became Viral

When Jenna began her house project, never in her wildest dreams did she imagine it would lead to this moment. She just hoped to build her dream home and share the entire process with the rest of the world – little did she know that it would become so popular online!

The amazing transformation was a hit, especially when folks saw the cabin's before and after images. Sites like Reddit picked up on their pictures and were reposted repeatedly. It's easy to say their humble log cabin was now a viral sensation indeed!

The Before and After Effect

Looking back, it's incredible how much the house has changed since they purchased it years ago. Anyone who saw it would immediately say it was an impossible task, but they've achieved their goals in the end. Initially, the house resembled a horror movie set with its broken-down walls and roofing; now, it was something out of a fancy magazine.

Jenna did a stunning job in modifying the interior down to the last detail – anyone who visited them would even jokingly ask if they’d ever plan to sell the house – it was that beautiful!

A Powerful Transformation

For an initial cash out of $100, the property was indeed a bang for their buck. Jenna and her husband took a leap of faith and took advantage of the occasion – it was probably the best investment they've ever made in their entire lives.

Of course, they spent more than that since the restoration kicked off, but Jenna would probably end up broke if she shelled out thousands on top of the actual remodeling costs plus the pricey contractor fees. Come to think of it, all the time and effort they did was more valuable than the money they spent!

So, What Was the Total Cost?

Jenna had hesitations about revealing the restoration's overall damage on their bank account, but people wanted at least an estimate since DIY projects were becoming a fad. Aside from the famous one-hundred-dollar bill, their building cost was a whopping $60,000! Some might say it’s too much; however, the outcome is anything but impressive.

For the roof alone, Jenna snagged a discount from the local hardware in exchange for some free lumber -she did the same thing with the sacks of cement for the flooring. Out of curiosity, Jenna had the entire property appraised, and she was shocked that it was now priced at $1.2 million in the market.

A Radical Career Change

It’s been months since the cabin project came to a close, but Jenna wasn’t over it yet. That’s when it dawned upon her that maybe she should try her luck in a real estate career. It all made sense – she loved scouring the neighborhood for properties, then fixing and redecorating them.

Not only that, but Jenna already had the connections to establish her practice. Perhaps, this is the biggest lesson anyone can get from the Ashers' experience, too – save thousands of bucks in building that new house by making friends with the right people!

Real Estate Mogul

After Jenna received her training and passed the licensure exam, she got her first client in no time - and they came pouring in by the numbers not soon after! Jenna was a natural when it comes to negotiations, using her wit and charm to close deals rather quickly too.

Over time, she became one of the most celebrated agents in the area and gained enough fortune to purchase another house. Indeed, Jenna has come a long way since her $100 cabin, and she hopes this accomplishment would be an inspiration to others going down the same path. It's genuinely one unforgettable story that'll go down in real estate history!

 

The story you just read is a made-up story and is written with the purpose of entertainment. The story and the people in it are fictional, and the photos used are stock photos. Hope you enjoyed!