A Detroit man bought an abandoned house in the city for $2,100 and spent 9 months renovating it for his mom. Here's how he did it - and what it looks like now.

Oct 21, 2019, 18:42 IST

Detroit is a major city in the state of Michigan that was once home to the booming auto industry.

In June 2017, Vincent Orr purchased this Detroit home for his mother through the Detroit Land Bank Authority's (DLBA) daily auction. It cost him $2,100.

"When I first purchased the house, it was in complete shambles," he said.

It wasn't just the exterior of the home Orr had to worry about: The interior needed work, too. The upgrading process included, among many other steps, replacing pipes and walls.

When the home was purchased, the cabinets in the kitchen were worn down, dirty, and had missing parts.

Orr told Business Insider that he was able to do most of the work himself.

All in all, Orr told Business Insider that he spent $40,000 over the course of the nine-month renovation process.

He installed all the windows, all the doors, and the furnace.

He also handled the plumbing work and the electrical wiring.

Orr only hired workers when it came time to install the ductwork for a forced-air central heating system and to repair the roof.

He even renovated the kitchen himself.

Now, the renovated space sports white cabinets, marble countertops, and new appliances.

When it came to checking in with the DLBA, Orr explained to Business Insider that the process went smoothly. To keep the DLBA up to date, Orr sent them images of the home throughout the renovation process.

When it came to checking in with the DLBA, Orr explained to Business Insider that the process went smoothly. To keep the DLBA up to date, Orr sent them images of the home throughout the renovation process.

As soon as the home was completed, Orr's mother was able to move in. Now, he says, they're focused on decorating.

In March of 2019, Orr purchased the home next door through the DLBA's Own It Now platform. He won the home for $1,200 through a blind bid. Orr is currently in the process of renovating it.

Homes on the DLBA's Auction platform come with everything from property-condition reports to free tours prior to auction dates. There are no hidden fees, no credit checks, and all the title work is done before the home is listed. The DLBA even protects homeowners from inheriting back taxes or outstanding bills on the property.

Homes on the DLBA's Auction platform come with everything from property-condition reports to free tours prior to auction dates. There are no hidden fees, no credit checks, and all the title work is done before the home is listed. The DLBA even protects homeowners from inheriting back taxes or outstanding bills on the property.

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A Detroit man bought an abandoned house in the city for $2,100 and spent 9 months renovating it for his mom. Here's how he did it - and what it looks like now.

Detroit is a major city in the state of Michigan that was once home to the booming auto industry.

In June 2017, Vincent Orr purchased this Detroit home for his mother through the Detroit Land Bank Authority's (DLBA) daily auction. It cost him $2,100.

"When I first purchased the house, it was in complete shambles," he said.

It wasn't just the exterior of the home Orr had to worry about: The interior needed work, too. The upgrading process included, among many other steps, replacing pipes and walls.

When the home was purchased, the cabinets in the kitchen were worn down, dirty, and had missing parts.

Orr told Business Insider that he was able to do most of the work himself.

All in all, Orr told Business Insider that he spent $40,000 over the course of the nine-month renovation process.

He installed all the windows, all the doors, and the furnace.

He also handled the plumbing work and the electrical wiring.

Orr only hired workers when it came time to install the ductwork for a forced-air central heating system and to repair the roof.

He even renovated the kitchen himself.

Now, the renovated space sports white cabinets, marble countertops, and new appliances.

When it came to checking in with the DLBA, Orr explained to Business Insider that the process went smoothly. To keep the DLBA up to date, Orr sent them images of the home throughout the renovation process.

As soon as the home was completed, Orr's mother was able to move in. Now, he says, they're focused on decorating.

In March of 2019, Orr purchased the home next door through the DLBA's Own It Now platform. He won the home for $1,200 through a blind bid. Orr is currently in the process of renovating it.