A Kansas couple got a 3-bed Dutch colonial house for free. Since then, they've spent $95,000 relocating and renovating it into their 'forever home' – take a look.

Maria NoyenFeb 20, 2023, 21:24 IST

The Flores family (L) and the moving of their "forever home" in January (R).Courtesy of Eddie and Julia Flores

Eddie and Julie Flores won a bid to become the new owners of a free house in Lincoln, Kansas.
But the renovation, including moving the house miles away, has cost them $95,000 so far.

Ever wonder what it'd be like to get your dream house for free? Meet Julie and Eddie Flores, a couple who have gotten exactly that in Kansas.

The Flores family in front of their new home.Kelly Gourley

While visiting Julie's hometown, her parents insisted they check out a local home that had sat empty and neglected for nearly a decade.

The exterior of the home in Lincoln, Kansas.Kris Heinze

Originally built in 1910, the house featured beautiful hardwood floors hidden beneath carpets and a staircase that Eddie and Julie instantly fell in love with.

The couple fell in love with the old features of the home.Kris Heinzie

Soon after, Eddie and Julie heard about the possibility the house could be torn down if a new owner wasn't found within a year.

Lincoln's "free house."Kris Heinze

Although the house cost nothing, the new owner had to agree to move the entire structure to another part of Lincoln.

Carpets in the house hid its original hardwood floors.Kris Heinze

Julie and Eddie decided they loved the house too much not to put themselves in the running for ownership.

Eddie and Julie Flores with their children before moving to Lincoln, Kansas.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

Another reason Julie and Eddie decided to save the house is their belief in fixing things, not throwing them away.

The house had stood empty for nearly a decade.Kris Heinze

After the house was officially theirs, Eddie and Julie quickly got to work on renovations, such as replacing the entire roof.

They got rid of the old roof straight off the bat.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores.

Next, Julie and Eddie said they cleared the basement and ripped out the porches so that the house was ready for the big move.

The porches around the house needed to be ripped out before it was moved.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

While gutting the rest of the home, they made some pretty cool discoveries.

Previous homeowners left cards, coins, and stickers in the house.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores.

But there were some stomach-churning discoveries as well, such as finding a den of cockroaches in the insulation.

They found squirrels and cockroaches throughout the house.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

While the couple was busy working on the house, a new basement was being built two miles away on a 3-acre plot of land they bought from Julie's father.

The new basement during its construction.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

After months of preparation, the house was ready for the big move, which took place in January.

Steel beams held the house in place during the move.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

There were a few moments on the two-hour journey where Eddie and Julie were nervous the house was going to tip.

The house lifting company ensured the structure didn't hit any mailboxes while it was moved.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

Over the course of the big move, Julie said a "parade route" began as locals came out to watch the unique sight.

The Flores hired a house-lifting company to get their home to its new location.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

Now that the house has successfully been relocated, Julie and Eddie still have a lot of work to do to turn it into their forever home.

Eddie and Julie outside of their house in its new location.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores

By bringing their house back to life, Julie and Eddie also hope to bring back a zest for life to the local community.

Eddie Flores and his eldest daughter.Courtesy of Eddie and Julie Flores.

I'm a chef who's obsessed with my air fryer. Here are my 13 favorite things to make in it.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A Kansas couple got a 3-bed Dutch colonial house for free. Since then, they've spent $95,000 relocating and renovating it into their 'forever home' &ndash; take a look.