Key facts
- Olivia DiBona and Christos Koci bought their starter home in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 2019 for $409,000.
- The couple decided to renovate their existing home rather than purchase a new one.
- The renovation project cost $500,000.
- DiBona worked with her father, an engineer, to design the home's updated layout.
- The couple sought to create a larger living space to accommodate future family growth.
Olivia DiBona and Christos Koci, both 31, have transformed their starter home in Braintree, Massachusetts, into their forever residence for a total of $500,000. The couple purchased the two-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch in 2019 for $409,000, drawn to its location near family and DiBona's hair salon. Initially content with the 1,500-square-foot home, they recognized the need for more space as they considered starting a family and found themselves unable to find a suitable dream home on the market.
Instead of moving, DiBona and Koci decided to expand their existing property. DiBona collaborated with her father, an engineer, to draft the renovation plans, bypassing the need for an architect. This approach allowed them to customize their living space to their long-term needs and preferences, ultimately investing significantly to create their ideal forever home.