Couple Lives With Parents for 6 Months to Renovate Home for $500K

Olivia DiBona and her husband Koci spent six months living with her parents while they doubled the square footage of their house. The renovation cost $500,000.

Construction began in September 2025. DiBona handled some of the detailed work herself, according to a summary of her account.

The couple turned what was a starter house into a forever home without moving. The cost, spread across materials and labor, covered a full reconfiguration of the existing footprint plus the addition.

Living with family during the work kept their housing expenses low – a trade‑off that made the budget feasible without taking on a second mortgage. DiBona said the arrangement required patience but saved them rent or a temporary rental.

No details on financing or the home's original purchase price were provided. The $500,000 figure covers the total construction spend, not including any land or permit costs.

The project underscores a broader trend of homeowners choosing to expand rather than trade up in a market where mortgage rates remain elevated and inventory is tight across many U.S. metros.