Renovation projects have seen a major boom during the pandemic. Houzz, an online home renovation platform that connects renovation specialists with customers, reported a 58% annual increase in inquiries. Predictably, being homebound has led to a lot of Americans looking for increased comfort in their surroundings. A tightening real estate market and the explosive popularity of the @CheapOldHouses Instagram account have illuminated buyers’ hunger to take on restorations in older homes that may have been doomed to neglect in the past. <br /><br />Christopher Corbett is an urban planner based in Pittsburgh, and he found just such a gem when he decided to renovate a 1920s duplex at the start of last year. Christopher’s journey to homeownership was a remarkable one; having experienced homelessness, he was seeking a stable place to feel secure when he purchased a home at the start of the pandemic. Christopher focused on renovating a single section of the home to create a comfortable living condition while he worked on the rest of the structure. <br /><br />Christopher’s current living arrangement is hardly glamorous: He has a working bathroom in the basement, which is a traditional feature known as a “Pittsburgh Potty.” It’s a historical remnant from the days of the steel industry; when steel workers throughout the city would get home, they entered through the basement bathroom in order to clean up before entering their homes. While the home doesn’t yet have a working shower, Christopher relies on his gym membership for twice daily shower trips. “That’s what I have to do to make this work. It’s temporary. I’m really thankful to be in the situation to afford a gym.”<br /><br />Follow Christopher on Instagram @corbettcj to keep up with his renovation journey.
