A man renovated his wife's crumbling childhood home into a dream property for his five kids and loved it so much he started flipping homes full-time. See inside.

Alcynna LloydMar 26, 2023, 18:55 IST

The Millers embarked on a $200,000 renovation to turn a rundown property into their family home.Courtesy of Adam Miller

Adam and Jessica Miller purchased Jessica's century-old childhood home for $565,000 in 2020.
The Millers embarked on a $200,000 renovation to turn the rundown property into their family home.

Adam and Jessica Miller had always wanted to purchase a house on picturesque Union Street in the historic district of Concord, a south-central city located 27 miles northeast of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Jessica, 34, grew up on Union and returning to her childhood neighborhood was a lifelong dream. The couple had plans to purchase and renovate a house on the street in 2018, but the deal went bust when the bank responsible for selling the home chose another buyer.

"When you can envision a house being renovated with every finishing detail, you write the story of your life on those walls," Adam, 38, told Insider. "To just have that fall apart is mentally devastating."

In 2020, when Jessica's parents decided to sell their family home, just two blocks down the street from their lost property, the couple jumped at the opportunity.

The 117-year-old house needed some work but it was a project that they welcomed wholeheartedly, and documented at length on TikTok and Instagram.

See how the Millers transformed the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home from a crumbling mansion to a dream property for their family of seven.

Do you have a similar story or budget you'd like to share with Insider? Get in touch with reporter Alcynna Lloyd at alloyd@insider.com.

The Millers purchased the 117-year-old home from Jessica's parents for $565,000 in 2020.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

When the family first moved in Adam was working as a full-time screen printer, but that quickly changed.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

While the home wasn't in awful shape, Adam put a lot of work into renovating the property.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

Renovating the home’s exterior was a tremendous task, as materials were hard to come by.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

It wasn't just the exterior of the home that needed an update — the interior needed work too, including replacing the floors.

One of the only images they have of the tile construction.Courtesy of Adam Miller

He replaced the home's old tiling with oak herringbone hardwood flooring.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

While the Millers repainted most of the home, they decided to keep a hand-painted mural in the entryway.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

However, several other walls in the home needed patching or paint.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

When updating the downstairs bathroom's walls, Adam found a hidden doorway under the plaster.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

Adam renovated the primary bathroom for Jessica, who decided to have a home birth with their fifth child.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

The bathroom got a complete cosmetic makeover, which included a brand new shower, toilet, and tiling.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

The house has three bathrooms in total, which have each received a face lift.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

The kitchen renovation was one of Adam's favorite projects.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

A close second to the kitchen is the renovation of the "green room," Adam said.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

With the exception of new art and a chandelier, the couple kept the home's entryway similar to its original design.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

The put new lighting and furniture in the family room. Jessica sourced most of it from antique shops and Facebook Marketplace.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

When it comes to artwork, the couple is very selective in what they put in their home.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

Every room is filled with unique pieces of art and furniture.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

Many of the home’s rooms are quaint and cozy.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

It took the Millers a year to renovate the home, but they're still making updates here and there.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

Renovating Jessica's childhood home has been a labor of love and has fostered great bonding time with their children.

Courtesy of Adam Miller

I spent $200 to stay in a grain bin-turned-tiny home on a farm with friendly animals and a wood-fired hot tub. Take a look inside.

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A man renovated his wife's crumbling childhood home into a dream property for his five kids and loved it so much he started flipping homes full-time. See inside.

The Millers purchased the 117-year-old home from Jessica's parents for $565,000 in 2020.

When the family first moved in Adam was working as a full-time screen printer, but that quickly changed.

While the home wasn't in awful shape, Adam put a lot of work into renovating the property.

Renovating the home’s exterior was a tremendous task, as materials were hard to come by.

It wasn't just the exterior of the home that needed an update — the interior needed work too, including replacing the floors.

He replaced the home's old tiling with oak herringbone hardwood flooring.

While the Millers repainted most of the home, they decided to keep a hand-painted mural in the entryway.

However, several other walls in the home needed patching or paint.

When updating the downstairs bathroom's walls, Adam found a hidden doorway under the plaster.

Adam renovated the primary bathroom for Jessica, who decided to have a home birth with their fifth child.

The bathroom got a complete cosmetic makeover, which included a brand new shower, toilet, and tiling.

The house has three bathrooms in total, which have each received a face lift.

The kitchen renovation was one of Adam's favorite projects.

A close second to the kitchen is the renovation of the "green room," Adam said.

With the exception of new art and a chandelier, the couple kept the home's entryway similar to its original design.

The put new lighting and furniture in the family room. Jessica sourced most of it from antique shops and Facebook Marketplace.

When it comes to artwork, the couple is very selective in what they put in their home.

Every room is filled with unique pieces of art and furniture.

Many of the home’s rooms are quaint and cozy.

It took the Millers a year to renovate the home, but they're still making updates here and there.

Renovating Jessica's childhood home has been a labor of love and has fostered great bonding time with their children.