Unappealing Residence of the Calendar year, Backyard
“After” picture. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)
Bernardo Mazzucco gained the title of “The Ugliest House of the Year” 2021 in a opposition sponsored by HomeVestors, the primary “We Get Unsightly Houses” firm. Right after a fiercely competitive nationwide vote, Mazzucco gained the very sought-right after prize, beating out virtually 10,000 houses.
While this award would insult most people, Mazzucco is overjoyed. Maybe the $20,000 verify offered on his behalf from HomeVestors of The us, Inc. to Habitat for Humanity Higher Orlando & Osceola County relieved some of the sting.
“For me, the levels of competition was just about getting the prospect to give a little something back to the community and other people,” states Mazzucco. “I really feel that it’s my occupation to assist persons shift forward in their life.”
Bernardo Mazzucco is an Orlando authentic estate trader born in Venezuela who has lived in the Central Florida spot due to the fact 2018. “I resolved that Florida almost certainly would be the most effective put for my family members, and I can convey to you this is the greatest selection I have at any time designed. I’m so proud to be in and stay in the condition of Florida. It’s a great place for my loved ones, and the true estate business is potent.”
It’s been a demanding road for Mazzucco, who left Venezuela with nothing but the cash in his pocket. “The political and financial situation in my place is complex right now,” he clarifies. “I was accomplishing pretty perfectly as a little small business owner but had to go away every little thing behind but my liquid personal savings. I came to this nation because I was hunting for a superior future for my youngsters. We left anything and started off from scratch.”
Entrance of residence “After” picture. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)
The household that gained the opposition is a one-story ranch designed in 1984 and was Mazzucco’s initial makeover as a new franchisee. When he acquired it, it had more than enough junk to fill 5 dumpsters within and out, coupled with an overpowering smell that forced Mazzucco and his crews to rotate to help them endure it.
Like anything showcased in a hoarder’s fact exhibit, several animals ranging from these with 4 to six and eight legs had infested the property, which experienced not been cleaned of hair, squander, or mold in about three decades inspite of it nonetheless staying occupied.
An overgrown landscape hid creepy discoveries like buried dolls in the backyard. Mazzucco and his group painstakingly cleared the home of all ugliness and transformed it into a sparkling house that occupants and neighbors will adore for decades to arrive.
Bernardo Mazzucco. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)
Mazzucco’s beloved component of any home renovation is the landscaping, which this dwelling required owing to out-of-command vegetation. He also wholly redid the bathrooms, put in new appliances, put flooring throughout the house right after a deep disinfecting and cleansing treatment method, put in new eye-catching and economical lighting and sprinkler devices, painted both equally within and out, and set up new air conditioning ducts.
“This calendar year, I did my most effective to do smaller matters in a wonderful way,” claimed Mazzucco. “I’m honored that they have regarded this residence we introduced back to a gorgeous and purposeful use as ‘The Ugliest Dwelling of the Year.’ As a solid national model, HomeVestors aided minimize my mastering curve in an insanely competitive true estate market and served me succeed with this home, my initial undertaking.”
Mazzucco admits he understood minimal of what was to lie ahead for him when he entered the level of competition. “It was annoying at the starting for the reason that I did not know the scope of the contest. I competed versus large leaguers and folks in the program for 15 or a lot more years. The individuals who had time in the program realized it was a good option to make fantastic donations for people. They are amazing men and women.”
Entrance of house “Before” picture. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)
Although the initially ways of the process were being intimidating, Mazzucco persevered. “This was my initial challenge, my 1st and only house that year. It was a complicated to start with yr of small business. I was putting all my revenue there, so noticing that all these folks were competing and trying to do their most effective, I was contemplating, ‘I got into a shark tank!’” Mazzucco says with a grin.
“We’re proud of Bernardo and what he’s accomplished in such a limited time. Several persons may well not have witnessed the genuine tough do the job that the ‘We Acquire Unsightly Houses’ folks do on the homes we obtain, dealing with almost everything from rodent infestations and pure disasters to neglect and vandalism,” stated David Hicks, CEO of HomeVestors. “The Ugliest Property of the Year represents the greatest of the hundreds of homes that have been hopeless by other purchasers, but not by HomeVestors franchisees, who see probable and know-how to make it a truth. They do not just acquire these houses, but they also labor to make these homes whole once again.”
Mazzucco may giggle about it these days, but the ferocity of the competitors took him by surprise. “I was with a man from Boston, a mentor from other franchisees, and he was doing work with other persons who were in the contest remaining with me. He instructed me, ‘I have to get your picture for the reason that I have to present this man who you are due to the fact he hates you!’ He was laughing, so it was funny but frustrating at the very same time.”
Mazzucco hopes he is location an illustration for his youngsters by successful the level of competition. “I was so proud to carry that award to my home, primarily for my eldest child. I’m attempting to teach him that the hard function paid out off. It was a truly sweet second when I introduced the award household. For other folks, it was likely just another award. For me, it was a lifetime-changer.”
Mazzucco is toying with the thought of entering the contest subsequent 12 months. For now, he is thrilled with the title of “The Ugliest Property of the Calendar year,” joyful to aid Habitat for Humanity, and grateful to HomeVestors.
“America is a pleasurable spot for men and women who want to perform challenging, move forward, and desire big. I simply cannot explain how grateful I am to this state and the point out of Florida. It is unbelievable for me. It’s like a aspiration.”