The Ugliest House of the Year

Ugly Dwelling of the 12 months, Yard
“After” picture. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)

Bernardo Mazzucco received the title of “The Ugliest Home of the Year” 2021 in a levels of competition sponsored by HomeVestors, the initial “We Get Unappealing Houses” organization. Following a fiercely competitive countrywide vote, Mazzucco won the extremely sought-after prize, beating out approximately 10,000 houses.

Though this award would insult most people today, Mazzucco is overjoyed. Perhaps the $20,000 check out presented on his behalf from HomeVestors of America, Inc. to Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County relieved some of the sting.

“For me, the competition was just about possessing the option to give anything again to the community and other people today,” says Mazzucco. “I come to feel that it’s my position to aid people go ahead in their life.”

Bernardo Mazzucco is an Orlando real estate investor born in Venezuela who has lived in the Central Florida area given that 2018. “I decided that Florida possibly would be the most effective put for my family, and I can convey to you this is the greatest conclusion I’ve at any time designed. I’m so happy to be in and are living in the condition of Florida. It’s a fantastic area for my spouse and children, and the genuine estate small business is powerful.”

It is been a complicated highway for Mazzucco, who remaining Venezuela with practically nothing but the income in his pocket. “The political and financial scenario in my region is complex right now,” he describes. “I was doing quite perfectly as a little organization operator but experienced to leave anything powering but my liquid savings. I came to this country mainly because I was hunting for a greater potential for my little ones. We remaining every little thing and started from scratch.”

Entrance of dwelling “After” photograph. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)

The residence that won the competitiveness is a solitary-tale ranch crafted in 1984 and was Mazzucco’s 1st makeover as a new franchisee. When he purchased it, it experienced enough junk to fill five dumpsters within and out, coupled with an overwhelming smell that forced Mazzucco and his crews to rotate to aid them endure it.

Like a thing highlighted in a hoarder’s actuality show, numerous animals ranging from individuals with 4 to 6 and 8 legs experienced infested the residence, which experienced not been cleaned of hair, squander, or mold in in excess of 3 several years inspite of it continue to being occupied.

An overgrown landscape hid creepy discoveries like buried dolls in the yard. Mazzucco and his team painstakingly cleared the house of all ugliness and remodeled it into a sparkling household that occupants and neighbors will enjoy for a long time to arrive.

Bernardo Mazzucco. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)

Mazzucco’s most loved aspect of any household renovation is the landscaping, which this home expected due to out-of-control vegetation. He also completely redid the bathrooms, set up new appliances, put flooring in the course of the home soon after a deep disinfecting and cleaning therapy, place in new interesting and productive lighting and sprinkler units, painted the two inside and out, and set up new air conditioning ducts.

“This 12 months, I did my finest to do smaller points in a good way,” stated Mazzucco. “I’m honored that they have acknowledged this dwelling we introduced back to a stunning and purposeful use as ‘The Ugliest Home of the 12 months.’ As a robust countrywide brand name, HomeVestors assisted reduce my learning curve in an insanely aggressive authentic estate market place and aided me do well with this household, my to start with venture.”

Mazzucco admits he realized minimal of what was to lie ahead for him when he entered the level of competition. “It was tense at the starting since I didn’t know the scope of the contest. I competed against large leaguers and folks in the system for 15 or more years. The individuals who had time in the program knew it was a wonderful option to make excellent donations for individuals. They are awesome individuals.”

Front of home “Before” image. (COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)

Even though the initial actions of the course of action ended up overwhelming, Mazzucco persevered. “This was my first project, my initially and only residence that 12 months. It was a tough 1st calendar year of company. I was putting all my funds there, so noticing that all these folks were being competing and making an attempt to do their greatest, I was thinking, ‘I got into a shark tank!’” Mazzucco says with a grin.

“We’re happy of Bernardo and what he’s completed in this kind of a brief time. Numerous people could not have found the precise tough function that the ‘We Obtain Unsightly Houses’ people today do on the properties we obtain, working with anything from rodent infestations and normal disasters to neglect and vandalism,” mentioned David Hicks, CEO of HomeVestors. “The Ugliest Property of the Yr signifies the ideal of the hundreds of residences that were hopeless by other prospective buyers, but not by HomeVestors franchisees, who see potential and know-how to make it a actuality. They really do not just acquire these properties, but they also labor to make these attributes full once again.”

Mazzucco may well laugh about it now, but the ferocity of the opposition took him by surprise. “I was with a person from Boston, a mentor from other franchisees, and he was doing the job with other persons who have been in the contest final with me. He explained to me, ‘I have to get your picture for the reason that I have to clearly show this guy who you are since he hates you!’ He was laughing, so it was humorous but overwhelming at the exact same time.”

Mazzucco hopes he is environment an instance for his children by winning the competitiveness. “I was so happy to bring that award to my residence, primarily for my eldest child. I’m making an attempt to educate him that the really hard do the job paid off. It was a seriously sweet instant when I brought the award house. For other men and women, it was likely just another award. For me, it was a lifestyle-changer.”

Mazzucco is toying with the notion of getting into the contest subsequent year. For now, he is thrilled with the title of “The Ugliest Residence of the 12 months,” satisfied to aid Habitat for Humanity, and grateful to HomeVestors.

“America is a nice position for men and women who want to function tricky, go forward, and desire significant. I simply cannot explain how grateful I am to this region and the point out of Florida. It’s unbelievable for me. It’s like a aspiration.”