What a Realtor couple discovered inside their 96-year-old client’s home astounded them.

An Unusual Phone Call.

Gladys and Carla Spizzirri, sisters who teamed up to become a duet in the market, were the real estate agents that received the call. Despite the fact that they had both sold properties before, they had no prior experience with what they were about to learn.

When they picked up the phone, they knew this wasn’t going to be an usual client. Whoever it was, they weren’t speaking in the manner one would anticipate from someone calling in.

The agents sensed that this would be a difficult close.

Gladys and Carla had each started their own careers. They eventually realized that by working together, they could make their jobs more efficient. One would be investigating listings and onboarding clients, while the other would be assisting current clients.

It’s not easy persuading someone to trust you with their most valuable possession, so these sisters had to be well-versed in the field. Because of their experience, they could tell straight away if the person on the other end of the line had a tough property to sell.

A Homeowner on the Fence.

Joyce, a 96-year-old woman, was the person on the other end of the telephone. She called the real estate brokers to inquire about selling her house, but her tone was hesitant.

Gladys and Carla interact with homes on a daily basis, so they sensed Joyce’s hesitation. They enquired as to why she was debating whether or not to sell the property, but the elderly woman was unable to provide an explanation. Instead, she invited them to come over.

Check out the next section to learn what the realtors thought was the first red flag.

I’ve worked with a wide range of homes and clients.

Being ready for anything is an important part of being a great realtor. You want someone who knows the ins and outs of the industry, especially when it comes to older homes and owners who have been there for decades.

Gladys and Carla had seen it all when it came to houses, which could explain why Joyce sought their assistance. Even yet, the woman wasn’t ready to make a firm choice about selling until the brokers provided her an honest assessment of her property.

The First Red Flag was raised.

Joyce’s tone on the phone was the first indication to Gladys and Carla that this wasn’t going to be their typical client. In most cases, homeowners are ecstatic to announce that they are moving to a new location.

Even if they are downsizing, there’s a sense of relief that comes with moving towards a better fit for where they’re at in life. This was not the case for Joyce, who appeared to be unsure whether or not her house could be sold.

They were suspicious that Joyce was concealing something.

Since Joyce seemed so hesitant and insisted that the realtors come over before making an decisions, they got the sense she may have something to hide. After all, Joyce did mention that she’d hardly renovated the old home.

She also said she’d lived there for 70 years! Someone who has been in the same house that long and done little altering could spell trouble for the realtors, who may not list the price as high as Joyce would want.

They had anticipated the typical home problems.

Joyce’s disposition had automatically put the real estate agents in the mindset that something was wrong with the house. Typically, homeowners want to hide things like mold or leaks that aren’t really dealbreakers but can impact the sale price.

What Carla and Gladys would come to find out, though, was that Joyce’s home was far from ordinary. The elderly woman would show them something that was impossible to hide, and not at all what they expected.

Coming up, you won’t believe what was on the other side of the front door.

Be Prepared For The Worst-Case Scenario.

As Gladys and Carla finally approached the home for their inspection, they had no idea what to expect. They figured the house could be a complete wreck, especially with an elderly homeowner who lived alone.

For all they knew, Joyce could have struggled to keep up the property in her old age. They certainly wouldn’t have put it past her to have been overwhelmed with the demands of homeownership. If that was the case, they’d have a long road to closing ahead of them.

Their fears were immediately dispelled.

Gladys and Carla were taken aback the instant they walked into the house, in the greatest sense of the word. Joyce’s house did not appear to be in disarray. On the contrary, it was just amazing!.

It appeared to be something from an old catalog. The soft mint carpeting was far from corny, and the modest wallpaper added a sense of charm. To top it off, her classic furniture was stunning and a testament to the importance of quality.

They didn’t want their hopes to be raised.

The home’s foyer set the tone for the rest of the stunning residence. It seemed as if I had walked into a time machine and been transported to the 1940s. At the same time, this could be a recipe for disaster.

The real estate brokers were well aware that a home’s exterior appearance can be deceiving, as it may conceal problems such as leaking plumbing or antiquated electrical systems. Nonetheless, each space served to reinforce Joyce’s ability to care for her belongings.

Let’s have a peek at the opulent living room next.

The Beautiful Living Room.

This lovely living area was just off the entrance, with a loveseat against the window and three lounge chairs strewn about. A brick fireplace is painted to match the mint green walls in the room.

A big mirror sits atop the mantle, extending the length of the mantle and opening up the room. This area seems especially cozy thanks to the crown molding and light carpeting. Gloria and Carla had no idea how beautiful Joyce’s home would be.

Real Estate Agents Were Incorrect.

Joyce’s reluctance had been misinterpreted by the real estate agents as a sign that her house was falling apart. The other possibility was that it was as commonplace as the street view suggested, and she was only concerned because of a little detail.

After all, she had lived here for decades, which is unusual in and of itself. What they didn’t expect was to find themselves in a time capsule with immaculate decor and seemingly flawless infrastructure.

A Delightful Breakfast Nook.

There’s also a nice breakfast nook if Joyce and her guests don’t want to eat in the immaculate dining room. Even though this room is a little more laid-back, it’s still so immaculate and well-designed that spilling even a crumb would make us concerned.

Joyce and her husband had moved into the house in the early 1940s, and she had completely redecorated it. She certainly has a talent for creating high-quality products that will last a long time.

She had renovated only one room.

A galley-style kitchen off the breakfast nook is the one portion of the house Joyce redone decades after moving in. The kitchen was remodeled in the 1960s since the previous version’s appliances couldn’t keep up with technical advancements.

She hasn’t touched the kitchen since, so it, like the rest of the house, is full of old nostalgia. At the same time, Gladys and Carla began to question what might be lurking underneath the surface.

Wait till you see what comes next if the house appears to be a touch too feminine for your tastes.

It Was A Delightful Man-Cave In The Basement.

A stairway leading up or down might be found directly off the kitchen. If you went with the latter option, you’d end up in this lovely basement. While the rest of the house is decorated in a feminine style, this room may have been her husband’s man cave.

It would have been a great place to meet up with friends because it has a little bar and plenty of seating. There’s even enough area in the middle of the room to dance.

A Spacious Guest Room.

This beautiful guest room was one of the rooms upstairs. It has a twin-size bed and a wall-length vanity. The light streaming in through the wide window is softened by sheer drapes.

Joyce used gold accents around the space to complement the gold and pink wallpaper. The real estate agents couldn’t believe how well-preserved everything in the home was. It was as though Joyce had just moved in yesterday and filled it with brand new decor.

A Delightful Study.

Next to the guest room is this quaint little study. Though the purple, floral wallpaper is still on the feminine side, the setup is perfect for anyone who wants to curl up with a book, write a letter, or listen to the radio on the dresser to the right.

Though the home has eviable style, the wallpaper and carpeting are limiting in terms of color preference and would require a decent budget to alter. The realtors had to keep this in mind when thinking about the sellability of the property.

The Backyard Wasn’t Quite Right For The Interior.

Though the inside of the house was stunning, the backyard wasn’t quite as impressive. It was rather simple, featuring a large, green lawn, a shed, and some shrubs and flowers lining the perimeter.

There was also an astroturf area in front of the grass lawn that wasn’t really attractive. Nonetheless, the size was sufficient to provide future homeowners with a variety of possibilities. The only question was what the inspector would say after inspecting the structure of the house.

This is what the inspector had to say after that.

The Findings of the Inspection.

Gladys and Carla awaited the house inspector’s response with bated breath. They had never seen a come so immaculately preserved for as long as Joyce’s in all their years in the company.

Even yet, there was a chance that some damage had gone unnoticed by Joyce. The inspection went off without a hitch, much to everyone’s relief! The house was in just as good of shape as it appeared. In terms of infrastructure, it might have been constructed yesterday.

The Purchase Price.

The realtors couldn’t believe what they were hearing! Nonetheless, their instincts after seeing the house were correct. They set the price at $699,000, despite the home’s poor condition.

It was a fair price for the neighborhood, especially considering how old the house was. People started bidding as soon as they put the house on the market. People enjoyed the vintage charm and praised the craftsmanship, despite its unique design aspects.

The True Reason For Joyce’s Reluctance To Sell.

Joyce’s bedroom was one of the most beautiful areas in the house. It seemed like I was walking through a Joyce museum. All of a sudden, it became clear why the old woman was afraid to sell her house.

The 96-year-old has resided in this house since she was 24 years old. This was her home for the majority of her adult life. Its immaculate condition was a testament to Joyce’s love for the area. It would be difficult to let go.

Whether it was for sale or not, the house was going viral.

Even though Joyce had conflicting thoughts about selling the house, one thing was certain: they would find a buyer quickly. People from all around the world were posting images of the house on social media.

It’s no surprise that the property photos went viral because every inch of the house is a wonderful 1940s sight. Take a look at how Joyce decorated the top of the stairwell. This corridor is made special by a glass table, mirror, chair, and even a statue.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the home’s other amazing features.

Joyce’s Beautiful Master Bathroom.

While many homes have attached master suites, Joyce’s 1940s home has a master bathroom accessible from the upstairs hallway. Despite the fact that this isn’t the most optimal characteristic, Joyce and the numerous potential buyers are unconcerned.

Joyce did, after all, dress the toilet to impress. Joyce’s aesthetic is reflected in the bathroom’s color choice of “strawberries and cream.” According to the Daily Mail, she stated, “I prefer soft hues and items that are well-matched and flow well together. Tone-on-tone is my preference over bright hues “.

Laundry Room with a lot of space.

The rest of the home was largely stunning due to its excellent design and unexpected state of preservation. The appearance of the laundry room had little to do with why it appealed to potential purchasers.

Many families nowadays have a stackable laundry unit hidden away in a closet. This room has so much counter and cabinet space that it could easily be used as a storage unit. If you wish to multitask, it also has kitchen appliances.

The View From The Other Side Of The Spectacular Basement.

The first image we saw of the basement showed off its mini bar, but from this direction you can see how remarkable this space really is. It has an even larger fireplace that the one upstairs, and there’s room for plenty of furniture.

This house may only have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but the space downstairs gives you twice as many common areas as many other homes. The wood panels, tile floors, and recessed lights are all in good shape, so renovations would be purely for aesthetics.

A Library And A Study.

The first image of the study omitting the bookshelf sitting against the far wall next to the door. Now we can see that the lounge chair is designated for reading.

Joyce even placed a nightstand with a lamp next to the chair, making it feel like a little library. Whether you’re curling up with a book or working hard at the desk, this room in the house is both homey and orderly. Joyce certainly knew how to do a lot with a little.

Coming up, find out why some buyers were disappointed.

Joyce’s Reason For Selling Her House.

At 96-years-old, Joyce decided that it was time she joined a retirement community. Many seniors do this decades earlier than Joyce, but it’s clear she wasn’t in a rush to part with her home.

Leaving such a charming property that has this much history in it would be difficult. However, Joyce will likely be more comfortable in a smaller spot that has the resources she may need. Plus, it gives a knew homeowner the opportunity to enjoy the lovely spot.

The furniture is not included in the price.

The way Joyce decorated the house is a big part of what makes it so magnificent. Many potential purchasers would prefer to buy it fully furnished, but that is not included in the sale.

Joyce may be selling her house, but her belongings are a different story. She’s done a fantastic job of maintaining it throughout the years, and she deserves to enjoy it for as long as possible. Perhaps the fragments will end up in her family.

I’ve lived in the same house for 70 years.

Joyce lived in her beloved home for more than 70 years, which is far longer than many of us could ever imagine staying in one location. She could have had numerous opportunities to relocate elsewhere throughout her life.

Many of us are always on the lookout for the next best thing. Joyce was a living example of devotedly loving what you had. She cherished her home so much that it remained nearly brand new till the end.

The location was also a plus.

One reason Joyce may have been able to stay in the same house for so long is the location. Her house is in a great location, close to the beach!.

Anyone who works in the real estate industry understands the importance of location. You can demolish a house and rebuild it, but you can’t modify its location. That was the icing on the cake for Gladys and Carla, who had previously sold homes in the vicinity.

Check back later to discover if Joyce could bring herself to sell the house.

The Area Was Growing In Popularity.

As if the home’s location and inside weren’t enough, there was another reason it would sell quickly. The neighborhood had been growing in popularity, and increased demand meant higher pricing.

Gladys and Carla transformed Joyce from a jittery caller to a wonderful customer. The only drawback was that the elderly lady was emotionally attached to her home. They couldn’t help but wonder if she’d acquire a case of the shivers.

Is She Going To Back Out Of The Deal?.

Given Joyce’s apprehension about selling the house from the minute she called the agents, they had to be certain this was what she wanted. Joyce might still have a delayed reaction and withdraw at the last minute.

Anything could happen until she signed an official contract. Carla and Gladys talked with Joyce for a long time to make sure she understood everything and was ready to commit. She was, in the end.

Even for experts, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Joyce was far from your average homeowner, especially when it came to selling her home. Over the course of 70 years, she had taken greater care of her home than some people do in a fraction of that period.

Even a real estate team with decades of combined experience couldn’t have anticipated walking into Joyce’s home. In the end, what they expected to be a difficult situation turned out to be one of their best possibilities to date.

Next: An Abandoned Mansion In NYC Raises Questions

How Does An Abandoned Mansion Remain Completely Undamaged And Full Of Mysteries?.

Not a whole lot is known about this abandoned mansion just a few miles outside of the bustling heart of Times Square, yet it remains almost entirely untouched. Bryan Sansivero, a photographer, walked through the abandoned property and captured a series of stunningly haunting photographs. Visit Sansivero’s Instagram page to see more of his work.

Click through to find out about the mystery behind this once lavish, decaying property.

The Mystery Behind This Abandoned House Was Uncovered By Photographer Bryan Sansivero.

This mansion would still be lying unknown, unseen and decaying just outside of Manhattan if it wasn’t for the New York-based photographer Bryan Sansivero. Sansivero specializes in capturing scenes of urban decay, focusing mostly on abandoned buildings. In 2008, he shot an award-winning movie about a crumbling psychiatric ward in Kings Park, New York called Shadows of Kings Park..

The film showcased what he does best – making people pay attention to things that have been long forgotten. Sansivero managed to gain access to the 57-room mansion and photographed the interior.

This 57-Room Mansion Has Been Abandoned For 40 Years.

The expansive mansion is a crumbling relic of an era. After being built in the late 1930s, it was last inhabited in the 1970s. That was over 40 years ago. No one knows why the original owners of the property left or why no one else has moved in.

The mansion expands across 57 rooms with an indoor tennis court and bowling alley. It’s in a prime location, and the perfect type of property to transform into a hotel (and make some serious bucks), yet it’s been left to decay.

The current owner enjoys watching grand properties deteriorate.

This gorgeous mansion was certainly grand in its heyday. Who lived there and what they did for a living to afford or need a 57 room household remains a mystery, but we do know it was at some point, well taken care of. While it may appear abandoned now (and in quite a hurry, at that), the property does have an actual owner.

According to accounts, the estate is owned by an unidentified wealthy property owner who repeatedly purchases enormous estates and then neglects them. The owner appears to have purchased a number of opulent mansions then abandoned them all.

The Mansion is situated on a six-acre property.

Not only is the interior of this vast estate massive, but so is the exterior. Despite the fact that the mansion has 57 rooms, it is situated on six acres of land. The mansion is almost like a miniature city packed into a little space.

There is an indoor tennis court and a bowling alley, but if sports aren’t your thing, the home purportedly has two bars and a private library. It’s almost as if whoever lived there had no need to go. Except for the first (and final) time, perhaps they didn’t.

Those who lived in the mansion had to leave quickly.

Nothing about this stunning, huge property appears to have been sold the traditional way. The manner in which it was left behind is really suspicious. Those who had previously resided on the estate had left in a haste. Perhaps the home’s original owners perished abruptly in an accident, forcing it to be auctioned.

Perhaps they were evading the law. No one will ever know, yet the house has been almost perfectly kept, with closets stuffed with shoes and apparel. As though the owners didn’t have time to clean up after themselves, children’s toys and furniture are left in spots or dispersed throughout the house.

This house had at least one female resident.

We don’t know much about the previous residents of this house, but we do know that at least one woman lived here because she left practically her entire shoe collection in the bedroom. We may assume she didn’t perform much physical activity and had a conservative style based on the shoes she wore.

Her shoes are mostly slingback kitten heels in muted color like nudes and grays, save for a pair of green sling-backs and colorful, heeled peep-toes. We don’t see any sneakers, so we’re betting she didn’t go to the indoor tennis court too much. It’s also likely that she had a family.

What Happened To The Children Who Were Raised In This House?.

We know there was a woman who resided in the home, but she could have been a mother as well. The interior is littered with things only a child would own like baby dolls and other toys. In the foyer, by a large spiral staircase, a vintage baby carriage in near-mint condition rests abandoned.

This leads us to believe there were multiple children in the home: a baby and younger children, perhaps of toddler age. The children had to be old enough to play with dolls and at least crawl around to leave their toys about the living room.

One of the kids was in school and liked to play golf.

Though we know there were numerous children in this house, one of whom was a baby, we also know one of them was a school-aged child. This image appears to be a trunk from a boarding school. Rather than sending their school-aged children to public school, wealthier families would send them to boarding school.

This child also probably enjoyed playing a few rounds of golf with pops because this photo shows a carrying case for golf clubs. A terrifying painting of a child, of course, would not be complete without an abandoned home. Was this perhaps a portrait of the little boy who used to live here?.

Is it possible that some of the children were home-schooled?.

Images from this forgotten home show that maybe when these kids weren’t at boarding school, they were homeschooled. It was quite the large house, so there was a room for almost everything. This room shows three child-sized desks that are typical in modern school rooms.

There’s even a small antenna TV and alarm clock. Paint from these walls is slowly chipping off, exposing numerous paint jobs, from white to cream to a grayish color. Was the mother of this home a strict mom who made her kids study when they were home from boarding school? Was she their teacher?.

All of the shelves in the library are still stacked with books.

The family who lived in this home didn’t have time to pack up their books before they left, but they were definitely avid readers. If that wasn’t evident from the schoolroom, which definitely shows that the family places high importance on education, it’s evident in the library. In the private library, books fall off the shelves and rest on an ornate desk.

There’s also a couch so family-members could read in comfort. Over the years, some of the books have lost their pages, which sprawled across the floor, but the room’s wood paneling is still pristine.

The Ballroom Was Nearly Completely Undamaged.

Though the mansion rests just a few miles outside one of the busiest cities in the world, it’s been almost completely untouched by trespassers. There’s an odd bit of graffiti here and there, but hardly a single portion of this property has been defaced or destroyed by anything other than age.

In reality, save for a little bit of graffiti, chipping paint, and a shattered mirror, this massive, sun-filled space is nearly immaculate. The lavish blue rugs, floral window-toppers, drapes, pricey grand pianos, and a suitcase sitting on a couch were all left behind. Is it possible that they didn’t have enough time to pack?.

This Indoor Tennis Court Is Now a Garbage Reception Area.

The indoor tennis court is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful features of the house. Massive, broad windows dominate the whole ceiling, letting in loads of natural light. It’s as close to being outside as you can get while keeping the temperature under control (New York winters can be fierce, but the owners of this house wanted to play tennis year-round).

Despite the fact that this massive tennis court was most likely well-used and well-maintained, it has now become a dump for trash rather than a place to enjoy. The area is littered with old tables, fans, and debris from the disintegrating walls. There’s even an abandoned automobile, which transforms the area into a typical junkyard.

The House Is A Victorian Design Time Capsule.

The mansion’s owners preferred Victorian interior style, even though the 1930s were known for art deco and the 1970s for colorful shag carpets and brown-tones. This can be seen in the furnishings and decor in this dilapidated room.

Bold prints, dark patterned wallpaper, intricate decorations, and rich jewel tones were all hallmarks of Victorian style from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. It also had Gothic Revival characteristics, such as the arched shelves and ornamental pillars in this photo. In this room’s trophy cabinets, the gold finish and beautiful carvings hint to Victorian design, which is a remarkable choice for a family in the 1970s.

Throughout the ages, the house has been decorated.

The proprietors of this residence most likely lived here for a long time, and the property was most likely passed down through the family from the 1930s until the 1970s. This can be seen in the interior design of a home. Though many of the rooms are inspired by Victorian design, this photo of chairs exemplifies style from different ages.

The art deco trend in the 1930s and 1940s is represented by bamboo chairs. Victorian flair is reflected in the curving, elaborate wood details. There are the vivid hues of midcentury modern in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the mustard and brown tones of 1970s design.

The House Isn’t Protected From The Weather.

A rocking horse may be seen in this gorgeous photograph. One of the youngsters that frolicked around the house most likely preferred it. Because the house is still exposed to the weather, the horse is resting between two ancient couches that are rotting.

Even if the enormous window to the right is still covered by a curtain, it isn’t enough to keep the cold New York winter from coming inside the house. The floor is blanketed in snow, which serves as a reminder that unless someone intervenes, nature will eventually reclaim the property.

This house’s owners were quite musical.

When this property was developed in the 1930s, television was still a novelty. In fact, it had only been established a decade before, and by the 1970s, most families were spending their evenings in front of the television, watching nightly programming. Unlike most Americans, the proprietors of this home had very few televisions (though there was one, which we’ll discuss later).

Instead, there’s a plethora of musical instruments. There are two grand pianos in the ballroom (one is pretty standard for a mansion, but two means someone in the family definitely played). There are also what appear to be accordions in one living space, and a smaller keyboard, speaker and record player in a different room.

Expensive paintings and furniture have been left to rot around the fireplace.

The most disturbing aspect of this property was the apparent haste with which the owners had gone. This room, which shows no evidence children has not one, but two TVs (if you look closely there’s a screen all the way to the left). There’s no fancy, comfy couch for kids to sit and watch, which leads us to believe this is where the adults enjoyed their programming.

Expensive-looking chairs are placed in viewing distance near the fireplace, which was probably way more effective at heating a room of that size than a regular heating system. Heating was probably a challenge in the winter considering the home’s size and it probably was extremely expensive (not that you’re counting pennies if you live in a house this big).

An abandoned player piano sits next to a chair.

Player pianos are a rare sight in 2017, but even in the ’70s, they were exceedingly unpopular. In fact, sales for these instruments peaked in 1924 and the stock market crash of 1929 nearly wiped out their entire production. The player piano is a relic of a time where electrical amplification didn’t exist.

As seen by their TV sets and record players, the owners of this residence did clearly have electrical amplification. This was most likely a family legacy, or perhaps this house was once held by an older individual or a group of families that lived there for generations from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Why did the proprietors leave so abruptly?.

The owners of this house moved out, but not before attempting to renovate it. Interior photos show a ladder that has been left standing and sheets covering the floor to shield it from the paint. Perhaps the owners attempted to restore the property before selling it, but the modifications were simply not worth it. Maybe the new owners bought the house after the previous owners tried to renovate it in a hurry and realized it wasn’t worth the money.

Perhaps someone went bankrupt in the midst of it all, as a mansion of this magnitude costs millions of dollars to maintain. We’ll probably never know the full tale behind why it was suddenly abandoned in this state. Visit Sansivero’s Instagram page to see more of his work.