A Realtor Duo Couldn’t Believe What Was Inside Their 96-Year-Old Client’s Home
Someone who has lived nearly a century is bound to have a few secrets in their closet. When 96-year-old Joyce called a sister real estate duo, she immediately intrigued them. Joyce wouldn't say what was making her so unsure about selling the house, but she knew the realtors would understand as soon as they saw it. They suspected she may be apprehensive about a leaky roof or some other mishap, but then they arrived and both their jaws dropped.
The Same Residents Had Lived There For Decades
The house at 148 Jane Street in Toronto, Ontario was about as average as it gets. Lined up next to similar-looking houses, it didn't stand out. Furthermore, the same people had lived there for longer than anyone else in the neighborhood.
The house wouldn't have garnered much interest if it weren't for an atypical call two real estate agents received pertaining to the home. Suddenly, the agents found themselves interested in what lied within this unremarkable seeming house.
An Unusual Call
The real estate agents who received the call were Gladys and Carla Spizzirri, sisters who teamed up to become a duo in the industry. Though they both knew their fair share about selling homes, they didn't have experience with what they were about to discover.
When they answered the phone, they knew this wasn't their typical sort of client. Whoever it was, they certainly weren't speaking the way they would expect someone calling in to.
The Agents Could Tell This Might Be A Hard Close
Gladys and Carla had embarked on their careers individually. Ultimately, they discovered that they could make their jobs more efficient if they worked together. While one was researching listings and onboarding clients, the other would assist existing clientele.
Convincing someone to trust you with their most expensive asset is no walk in the park, so these sisters had to know the industry well. Do to their expertise, they could tell right away that the person on the phone might have a difficult property to close.
A Hesitant Homeowner
The person on the other end of the line was a 96-year-old woman named Joyce. She called the real estate agents because she was interested in selling her home, but her tone sounded unsure.
Gladys and Carla talk to homeowners all day every day, so they could sense that Joyce was hesitant. They inquired why she may be on the fence about selling the property, but the elderly woman couldn't explain. Instead, she told them to just come on over.
Experience With An Array Of Homes And Clients
Part of being an excellent realtor is being prepared for anything. Especially when it comes to older homes and owners who have been there for decades, you want someone who knows the industry's ins and outs.
Gladys and Carla had seen the gamut when it came to homes, which may be why Joyce turned to them for help. Still, the woman wasn't ready to make a sure decision about selling until the agents gave their honest opinion about her home.
The First Red Flag
The thing that first signaled to Gladys and Carla that this wasn't going to be their average client was Joyce's tone on the phone. Typically, homeowners are excited to announce that they're moving on to a new place.
Even if they are downsizing, there's a sense of relief that comes with moving towards a better fit for where they're at in life. This was not the case for Joyce, who seemed to not even be sure that her home was sellable.
They Wondered If Joyce Was Hiding Something
Since Joyce seemed so hesitant and insisted that the realtors come over before making an decisions, they got the sense she may have something to hide. After all, Joyce did mention that she'd hardly renovated the old home.
She also said she'd lived there for 70 years! Someone who has been in the same house that long and done little altering could spell trouble for the realtors, who may not list the price as high as Joyce would want.
They Expected The Typical Home Issues
Joyce's disposition had automatically put the real estate agents in the mindset that something was wrong with the house. Typically, homeowners want to hide things like mold or leaks that aren't really dealbreakers but can impact the sale price.
What Carla and Gladys would come to find out, though, was that Joyce's home was far from ordinary. The elderly woman would show them something that was impossible to hide, and not at all what they expected.
Prepared For The Worst
As Gladys and Carla finally approached the home for their inspection, they had no idea what to expect. They figured the house could be a complete wreck, especially with an elderly homeowner who lived alone.
For all they knew, Joyce could have struggled to keep up the property in her old age. They certainly wouldn't have put it past her to have been overwhelmed with the demands of homeownership. If that was the case, they'd have a long road to closing ahead of them.
Their Concerns Were Immediately Put To Rest
The moment that Gladys and Carla entered the house, they were filled with surprise, in the best sense of the word. Joyce's home was not visibly falling apart. To the contrary, it was stunning!
It looked like something out of a vintage catalog. The subtle wallpaper adding a touch of charm and the soft mint carpeting was far from cheesy. To top it off, her timeless furniture was uniquely dazzling and a testiment to the value of quality.
They Didn't Want To Get Their Hopes Up
The home's foyer set an impression for the rest of the jaw-dropping house. It was like walking into a time capsule and heading straight into the 1940s. At the same time, that could spell trouble.
The real estate agents knew that homes can look amazing on the outside, but have issues beneath the surface such as bad pipes or outdated electrical units. Still, each room served to reaffirm the belief that Joyce knew how to take care of her property.
The Lovely Living Room
Off the foyer was this gorgeous living room complete with a loveseat against the window and three lounge chairs dispersed aroung the room. The area features a brick fireplace painted to match the mint green walls.
Atop is a large mirror that extends the length of the mantle and opens up the space. The crown moulding and subtle carpeting make this room feel extra homey. Gloria and Carla had no idea Joyce's home would be so stunning.
The Real Estate Agents Were Wrong
The real estate agents had thought that Joyce's hesitance meant her home was crumbling at the seams. The other option was that it was as ordinary as the view from the street implied, and she was just apprehensive because of a small issue.
After all, this was her home for several decades, which is rare in and of itself. What they didn't expect was to walk into a time capsule full of emaculate decor and seemingly perfect infrastructure.
A Charming Breakfast Nook
In case Joyce and her guests didn't want to dine in the emaculate dining room, there is also a charming breakfast nook. Though the setup in this space is a little more casual, it's still so spotless and well designed that we'd be nervous about spilling even a crumb.
Joyce had moved into the home in the early 1940s with her husband, at which point she decorated the entire space. She clearly has a gift for designing with quality items that withstand the test of time.
The One Room She Had Renovated
Off of the breakfast nook is a galley-style kitchen that is the one part of the home Joyce did redo decades after moving in. The had renovated the kitched in the 1960s because its earlier version had appliances that couldn't keep up with technological advances.
Still, she hasn't touched the kitchen since, which makes it full of vintage nostalgia like the rest of the home. At the same time, this was more cause for Gladys and Carla to wonder what might be lurking under the surface.
The Basement Was A Delightful Man-Cave
Straight off the kitchen was a staircase that could take you up or downstairs. If you chose the latter, you would come to this beautiful basement. While the rest of the home has a feminine flair, this space could have served as her husband's man-cave.
It would have been a perfect gathering place for friends as it is equipped with a mini bar and plenty of seating. There's even space to dance in the center of the room.
A Bright Guest Bedroom
One of the rooms upstairs was this adorable guest room. It features a wall-length vanity and a twin-size bed. Sheer curtains soften the light pouring in through the large window.
Joyce placed gold embellishments around the room to pick up on the gold and pink wallpaper. The real estate agents couldn't believe how well-preserved everything in the home was. It was as though Joyce had just moved in yesterday and filled it with brand new decor.
A Quaint Study
Next to the guest room is this quaint little study. Though the purple, floral wallpaper is still on the feminine side, the setup is perfect for anyone who wants to curl up with a book, write a letter, or listen to the radio on the dresser to the right.
Though the home has eviable style, the wallpaper and carpeting are limiting in terms of color preference and would require a decent budget to alter. The realtors had to keep this in mind when thinking about the sellability of the property.
The Backyard Didn't Quite Match The Inside
Though the inside of the house was stunning, the backyard wasn't quite as impressive. It was rather simple, featuring a large, green lawn, a shed, and some shrubs and flowers lining the perimeter.
In front of the grass lawn was also an astroturf area that wasn't the most visually appealing. Still, the size was impressive enough that future homeowners would have plenty of options. The only question left was what the inspector would say when they looked into the home's structures.
The Inspection Results
Gladys and Carla eagerly awaited to hear back from the home inspector. In their years in the business, they had never seen a come so emaculately kept for as long as Joyce's.
Still, it was possible that there was some damage that had escaped Joyce's knowledge. Much to everyone's relief, the inspection passed with flying colors! The home was in just as impressive shape as it looked. As far as the infrastructure was concerned, it could have been built yesterday.
The Asking Price
The realtors could hardly believe their ears! Yet, their gut instinct after seeing the home was spot on. With the home's condition in mind, they priced the property at $699,000!
It was a competitive price for the area, especially considering how long ago the house was built. As soon as they put the home on the market, people started bidding. Even with its specific design features, people adored the vintage charm and appreciated the quality.
The Real Reason Joyce Was Hesitant To Sell
One of the most stunning parts of the home was Joyce's bedroom. Walking in it was like going through a Joyce museum. Suddenly it all made sense why the elderly woman was hesitant to sell the home.
The 96-year-old had lived here since she was just 24. Most of her long, adult life had been in this house. It's impeccable shape was a testiment to how much the place meant to Joyce. Letting it go would be a challenge.
Sell Or Not, The Home Was Going Viral
Though Joyce had mixed feelings about selling the home, one thing was sure: they would have no problem finding a buyer. Even people who lived nowhere near Canada were sharing pictures of the home on social media.
Every inch of the house is a lovely, 1940s sight, so it's no wonder the property images went viral. Just look at how Joyce made the top of the staircase look homey. A glass table, mirror, chair, and even a statue make this hallway extraordinary.
Joyce's Lovely Master Bathroom
While many houses has master bedrooms with attached en suites, Joyce's 1940s home has a master bathroom access from the upstairs hallway. Though this isn't the most ideal feature, it's of no bother to Joyce and the many interested buyers.
After all, Joyce did dress the bathroom to impress. The bathroom has a "strawberries and cream" color scheme that is indicative of Joyce's style. She told the Daily Mail, "I like soft colors, and I like things to match and flow well together. I prefer tone-to-tone to bright colors."
A Spacious Laundry Room
The rest of the house was mostly impressive because of the impressive design and the surprising condition it was in. When it comes to the laundry room, it's aesthetic has little to do with why it wowed prospective buyers.
These days, many households have a stackable laundry unit tucked away in a closet. This room has so much counterspace and cabinetry that it could double as a storage unit! It also features kitchen appliances in case you want to multitask.
The Other Side Of The Stunning Basement
The first image we saw of the basement showed off its mini bar, but from this direction you can see how remarkable this space really is. It has an even larger fireplace that the one upstairs, and there's room for plenty of furniture.
This house may only have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but the space downstairs gives you twice as many common areas as many other homes. The wood panels, tile floors, and recessed lights are all in good shape, so renovations would be purely for aesthetics.
A Study And A Library
The first image of the study omitting the bookshelf sitting against the far wall next to the door. Now we can see that the lounge chair is designated for reading.
Joyce even placed a nightstand with a lamp next to the chair, making it feel like a little library. Whether you're curling up with a book or working hard at the desk, this room in the house is both homey and orderly. Joyce certainly knew how to do a lot with a little.
The Reason Joyce Was Selling The House
At 96-years-old, Joyce decided that it was time she joined a retirement community. Many seniors do this decades earlier than Joyce, but it's clear she wasn't in a rush to part with her home.
Leaving such a charming property that has this much history in it would be difficult. However, Joyce will likely be more comfortable in a smaller spot that has the resources she may need. Plus, it gives a knew homeowner the opportunity to enjoy the lovely spot.
The Furniture Is Not Part Of The Sale
A major part of what makes this home so impressive is the way Joyce dressed everything up. Many prospective buyers would be eager to take it completely furnished, but that isn't part of the deal.
Joyce may be parting with her home, but her furniture is another story. She's done an incredible job of keeping it in immaculate shape all these years, so she deserves to enjoy it as long as possible. Perhaps the pieces will even remain in her family.
70 Years In The Same Home
Joyce spend more than 70 years in her beloved house, which is much longer than many of us could ever dream of staying in one place. Over the course of her life, she could have had many opportunities to move somewhere else.
Many of us are constantly looking forward to the next best thing. Joyce was an example of loving what you have tirelessly. She appreciated her home so much that it was practically like new to the very end.
Another Perk Was The Location
One reason that it may have been easy for Joyce to stay in the same home over the years is the location. Her home is in a desirable location not far from the ocean!
Anyone working in real estate knows that location is everything. You can tear a house down and build it back up, but you can't change where it is. That was the cherry on top for Gladys and Carla, who had sold homes in the area before.
The Neighborhood Was On The Rise
As though the location and interior weren't great enough, there was also another reason the home would sell well. The neighborhood had been on the rise and more demand meant that the prices were going up.
Joyce went from being an apprehensive caller to a dream client for Gladys and Carla. The only downside was that the elderly woman had a deep attachment to her home. They couldn't help but wonder if she would get cold feet.
Would She Back Out Of The Sale?
Being that Joyce was unsure about selling the house from the moment she called the realtors, they had to be absolutely positive this is what she wanted. Even then, Joyce could have a delayed reaction and pull out last minute.
Until she signed an official contract, anything could happen. Carla and Gladys had a long talk with Joyce to be sure she knew all the details and was ready to committ. In the end, she was.
A Unique Experience Even For The Experts
Joyce was not the average homeowner by any means, especially when it came to selling her property. She had managed to take better care of her home over 70 years than some people do in a fraction of that time.
Even a real estate duo who each had their fair share of experience couldn't have been prepared to walk into Joyce's house. In the end, what they feared would be a challenge turned out to be one of their best opportunities yet.
How Does An Abandoned Mansion Remain Fully Intact And Completely Filled With Mystery?
Not a whole lot is known about this abandoned mansion just a few miles outside of the bustling heart of Times Square, yet it remains almost entirely untouched. A photographer named Bryan Sansivero made his way through the abandoned property and delivered a collection of beautifully haunting images. For more of Sansivero's photos, please visit his Instagram page.
Click through to find out about the mystery behind this once lavish, decaying property.
Photographer Bryan Sansivero Unlocked The Mystery Behind This Abandoned Home
This mansion would still be lying unknown, unseen and decaying just outside of Manhattan if it wasn't for the New York-based photographer Bryan Sansivero. Sansivero specializes in capturing scenes of urban decay, focusing mostly on abandoned buildings. In 2008, he shot an award-winning movie about a crumbling psychiatric ward in Kings Park, New York called Shadows of Kings Park.
The film showcased what he does best – making people pay attention to things that have been long forgotten. Sansivero managed to gain access to the 57-room mansion and photographed the interior.
This 57-Room Mansion Has Been Abandoned For 40 Years
The expansive mansion is a crumbling relic of an era. After being built in the late 1930s, it was last inhabited in the 1970s. That was over 40 years ago. No one knows why the original owners of the property left or why no one else has moved in.
The mansion expands across 57 rooms with an indoor tennis court and bowling alley. It's in a prime location, and the perfect type of property to transform into a hotel (and make some serious bucks), yet it’s been left to decay.
The Current Owner Likes To Watch Grand Properties Crumble
This gorgeous mansion was certainly grand in its heyday. Who lived there and what they did for a living to afford or need a 57 room household remains a mystery, but we do know it was at some point, well taken care of. While it may appear abandoned now (and in quite a hurry, at that), the property does have an actual owner.
According to reports, the mansion is owned by an unnamed wealthy property owner who regularly buys large mansions and leaves them to deteriorate. The owner has apparently purchased a number of lavish homes and left them all to rot.
The Mansion Rests On A Six Acre Estate
It's not just the interior of this sprawling mansion that is impressively gigantic. Though the actual home boasts 57 rooms, the mansion stands on six entire acres of property. The mansion is almost like an entire city wrapped up in a neat, little box.
There are a bowling alley and indoor tennis court, but if sports aren’t your thing, the home allegedly had two bars and a private library. It’s almost as if whoever lived there never needed a reason to leave. Perhaps they didn’t, except for the very first (and last) time.
Whoever Lived In The Mansion Left In A Hurry
Nothing about this gorgeous, sprawling mansion seems like it was sold the normal way. There's something so utterly suspicious about the way it was left behind. Whoever originally lived in the estate left in an absolute hurry. Perhaps the original owners died suddenly in an accident leaving the home to be auctioned off.
Maybe they were running from the law. No one will ever know, but the home is preserved almost completely intact with closets full of shoes and clothing. Children’s toys and furniture are left in places or scattered throughout the home like the owners didn’t have time to pick up after themselves.
At Least One Woman Lived In This Home
There's not a whole lot we can deduce about the former inhabitants of this home, but we do know at least one woman lived here because she left nearly her entire shoe collection in the bedroom. Based on the type of shoes she wore, we can guess that she didn’t do much physical activity, and had a very conservative style.
Her shoes are mostly slingback kitten heels in muted color like nudes and grays, save for a pair of green sling-backs and colorful, heeled peep-toes. There’s not a sneaker in sight, we’re guessing she didn’t use the indoor tennis court too often. It’s also likely she had children.
What Happened To The Children Who Lived In The Home?
We know a woman lived in the mansion, but she also may have been a mother. The interior is littered with things only a child would own like baby dolls and other toys. In the foyer, by a large spiral staircase, a vintage baby carriage in near-mint condition rests abandoned.
This leads us to believe there were multiple children in the home: a baby and younger children, perhaps of toddler age. The children had to be old enough to play with dolls and at least crawl around to leave their toys about the living room.
One Of The Children Was School-Aged and Enjoyed Golf
Though we know that this was home to multiple children, with one being a baby, we also know one of the children was school-aged. This image appears to show a boarding school trunk. It was typical for wealthy families to send their school-aged kids off to boarding school rather than attending public school.
This child also probably enjoyed playing a few rounds of golf with pops because this photo shows a carrying case for golf clubs. Of course, an abandoned home wouldn't be complete without a creepy painting of a child. Was this perhaps a portrait of the little boy who used to live here?
Were Some Of The Children Home-Schooled?
Images from this forgotten home show that maybe when these kids weren't at boarding school, they were homeschooled. It was quite the large house, so there was a room for almost everything. This room shows three child-sized desks that are typical in modern school rooms.
There’s even a small antenna TV and alarm clock. Paint from these walls is slowly chipping off, exposing numerous paint jobs, from white to cream to a grayish color. Was the mother of this home a strict mom who made her kids study when they were home from boarding school? Was she their teacher?
The Library Still Has All Of The Shelves Filled With Books
The family who lived in this home didn't have time to pack up their books before they left, but they were definitely avid readers. If that wasn’t evident from the schoolroom, which definitely shows that the family places high importance on education, it’s evident in the library. In the private library, books fall off the shelves and rest on an ornate desk.
There’s also a couch so family-members could read in comfort. Over the years, some of the books have lost their pages, which sprawled across the floor, but the room’s wood paneling is still pristine.
The Ballroom Was Left Almost Completely Intact
Though the mansion rests just a few miles outside one of the busiest cities in the world, it's been almost completely untouched by trespassers. There’s an odd bit of graffiti here and there, but hardly a single portion of this property has been defaced or destroyed by anything other than age.
In fact, this giant, sun-filled room is almost in pristine condition save for a tiny spot of graffiti, chipping paint and a cracked mirror. The family even left the opulent blue rugs, the floral window-toppers, curtains, expensive grand pianos and a suitcase perched atop a couch. Did they not have enough time to pack?
This Indoor Tennis Court Is Now Resting Space For Garbage
The home's indoor tennis court is perhaps one of the most stunning pieces of the property. The entire ceiling is covered with gigantic, expansive windows that let in tons of natural light. It’s as close as you can get to being outside but still having the temperature controlled (New York winters can be fierce, but the owners of this house wanted to play tennis year-round).
Though this giant tennis court was probably frequently used and well-maintained, it’s become a home for junk rather than a place of entertaining. Old tables, fans, and debris from the crumbling walls litter the room. There’s even an abandoned car, turning this space into a regular old junkyard.
The Home Is A Time Capsule For Victorian Design
Though the 1930s were synonymous with art deco and the '70s were known for gaudy shag carpets and brown-tones, the mansion’s owners favored Victorian interior design. This is evident from the furniture and accents in this crumbling room.
Victorian design was favored in the mid-1800s to early 1900s, and marked by bold prints, dark patterned wallpaper, ornate details and rich jewel tones. It also often contained elements of the Gothic Revival like the arched shelving or decorative pillars in this photo. The gold finish and ornate carvings in this room’s trophy cases also give a nod to Victorian design, which is a unique choice for a family in the 1970s.
The Home Has Been Decorated Through The Ages
The owners of this home probably lived here a long time, and the property was probably kept in the family from the '30s all the way to the ’70s. This is evident in home’s interior design. Though many of the rooms reference Victorian Design, this photo of chairs pretty much shows design through all of the eras.
There are bamboo chairs that mark the ’30s and ’40s art deco movement. There’s curved, ornate wood detailing showcasing Victorian style. There’s the bold colors of the ’50s and ’60s midcentury modern, and the mustard and brown-tones typical of ’70s style.
The House Is Not Immune To The Elements
In this stunning photo, we see a rocking horse. It was likely favored by one of the toddlers who frolicked around the home. The horse rests between two vintage couches that are deteriorating because the house is still subject to the elements.
Though a curtain still covers the large window to the right, it's not enough to stop the chilling New York winter from creeping into the home. The floor is covered with a sheet of snow, which reminds us that eventually, nature will take back the property unless someone steps in to shut it out.
The Owners Of This Home Were Quite Musical
Back in the 1930s when this property was built, television was new. In fact, it was invented less than a decade prior and by the '70s most families enjoyed sitting in front of the tube watching nightly programming. Unlike most Americans, the owners of this house hardly had a TV in sight (though there was just one, which we’ll get to later).
Instead, there’s an abundance of musical equipment. The ballroom has two grand pianos (one is pretty standard for a mansion, but two means someone in the family definitely played). There are also what appear to be accordions in one living space, and a smaller keyboard, speaker and record player in a different room.
The Fireplace Shows Expensive Paintings And Furniture Left To Decay
The creepiest part of this mansion was how quickly the owners appeared to have left. This room, which shows no evidence children has not one, but two TVs (if you look closely there's a screen all the way to the left). There’s no fancy, comfy couch for kids to sit and watch, which leads us to believe this is where the adults enjoyed their programming.
Expensive-looking chairs are placed in viewing distance near the fireplace, which was probably way more effective at heating a room of that size than a regular heating system. Heating was probably a challenge in the winter considering the home’s size and it probably was extremely expensive (not that you’re counting pennies if you live in a house this big).
A Player Piano Sits Abandoned Next To A Chair
Player pianos are a rare sight in 2017, but even in the '70s, they were exceedingly unpopular. In fact, sales for these instruments peaked in 1924 and the stock market crash of 1929 nearly wiped out their entire production. The player piano is a relic of a time where electrical amplification didn’t exist.
Clearly, the owners of this home did have electrical amplification, as is evident with their TV sets and record players. This was likely an heirloom passed down in the family or perhaps this home was owned by an older individual or number of families who lived there for generations from when it was built in the 1930s to the 1970s.
Why Did The Owners Leave So Suddenly?
The owners of this home up and left, but not before trying to renovate the property. Snapshots of the interior show a ladder left standing and sheets protecting the floor from the paint. Perhaps the owners first tried to repair the property before selling it and decided the renovations just weren't worth it. Maybe the new owners bought the property after the original owners left in a hurry attempted to renovate it, and decided it just wasn’t worth the cost.
Maybe someone got bankrupt right in the middle of it all, as a mansion of this size takes millions and millions to upkeep. We’ll probably never know the real story behind why it was mysteriously left in the condition it’s in. For more of Sansivero’s photos, please visit his Instagram page.