Exactly. While the house may look nice in the picture, the facts are it was a 70 year old house that probably was going to cost almost as much to renovate and modernize as it is going to cost for her to build EXACTLY what she desires.
The purchase cost was 90% the property not the aging mansion.
to modernize the home for today’s electrical advantages....alarms,web cams good wiring for tv/games etc...the wiring was called a fire hazzard.....the foundation tween floors was salt saturated and would not pass code ........the home was not of any measurable value
the destruction and rebuild ACTUALLY increased the property....
Which is also another way the insurance companies rip you off..I used to get soooo mad every year when I got my homeowners bill...our house was built in the 50’s..nice home..but nothing special or spectacular. had been updated twice by previous owners..but sat on FOUR acres of land..the land was easily 80% of the value, and land can’t burn down......