DAYTON, Ohio — What once was a dilapidated home is now a luxury duplex all thanks to a promise made between a 95-year-old man and a younger man with a vision.
In 2019, Ruey Hodapp Jr., 95, sold his home he lived in during the 50s. He held onto the property for decades, but after moving away, time took its toll on the home. Gaping holes in a roof, water damage and termites were just some of the issues. But now, after a yearlong restoration project, the home has been restored and looks almost brand new.
“It made it much more modern,” said Hodapp.
The 106-year-old house has much of the same banisters, hardwood floors and room structure. Just recently, Hodapp and others involved in the project took a tour of the home for the first time. Hodapp was impressed with some of the new additions to his old bedroom.
“This [the electric fireplace] had a gas grate in there,” he said. “There was a gas grate where you can turn the valve and you have gas up there.”
This remodel was all made possible through a deal between Hodapp and House Doc CEO John Kinlaw. Hodapp promised to sell Kinlaw the house as long as he promised to restore it, and not flip or wholesale it. And that’s exactly what happened.
“I was so lucky to find John,” he said. “I saw him working over in the St. Anns District.”
Kinlaw says it’s amazing to see the transformation from what it once was to now. And it feels even better to know he was able to work on such a meaningful project.
“I feel that interpersonal relationships are like the foundation blocks of life,” said Kinlaw. “And if you don’t build them strong and keep your word and build up your relationships then when a storm comes., you won’t be able to weather it.”
Overall Hodapp says he’s impressed with how the house turned out. And he’s forever grateful to Kinlaw for turning his old home into a masterpiece.
“I knew he was going to do a good job,” he said. “He’s done a really wonderful job.”
