Tyler Bouldin, 36, walked into the Forge auction alone, a $440,000 ceiling set in mind, and left with a $460,000 win after a grin misread by the auctioneer.
The stone house, a relic of 1830s craftsmanship, stood empty, missing floors, a collapsing staircase, no kitchen, and an abandoned pool that had become a snake haven.
The pandemic hit materials, pushing costs beyond the $300,000 they had budgeted for renovation, forcing the couple to live with parents and skip vacations to fund drywall, flooring, and endless late nights.
Today, 85% of the Forge is finished; the roof, windows, barn, and chapel still need work, but Tyler and Lauren expect to finish the roof by July 2027, allowing them to finally host family gatherings.