World News, Today World News, Latest International News, World Breaking News, Trending News of World - Times of India
· collected 2026-08-21 · by TOI World Desk
Sha'rel Moore and her husband Brandon bought a 1920 farmhouse for $12,000 and moved it four miles to their land in northwest Iowa to use as the foundation of their dream home. The family spent around $80,000 on repairs and renovations after discovering structural damage. Despite setbacks, the Moores documented their renovation journey online, initially to update Brandon's relatives but attracting hundreds of thousands of international followers. By showcasing a hands-on approach with DIY projects and unexpected problems, the family aimed to present a less polished side of home renovation.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
When Sha’rel Moore and her husband, Brandon, bought three acres of abandoned land in northwest Iowa in 2024, they dreamed of creating a home where they could raise their growing family.
uncertain
they → buy → family
The property already contained an old farmhouse, but the couple soon realised that restoring it would cost more than they could afford.
uncertain
they → contain → more
Rather than abandon their plans, they found an unusual alternative, a 1920 farmhouse located just four miles away.
asserted
they → abandon → alternative
The previous owners had built a new home and were willing to sell the century-old property for $12,000.
asserted
owners → build → 12,000
The Moores decided to buy it and undertake the extraordinary task of moving the entire structure to their own land.
asserted
Moores → decide → land
Once relocated, the farmhouse became the foundation for their dream home, although extensive repairs and renovations were still needed.
asserted
repairs → relocate → home
The family's restoration journey later attracted hundreds of thousands of followers online, turning their ambitious home transformation into a widely followed project.
asserted
journey → attract → project
Why the Iowa family moved the entire farmhouse four miles
asserted
family → move → farmhouse
The decision allowed the family to preserve the character of an older home without taking on the cost of rebuilding from scratch.
asserted
family → allow → scratch
Moore told AOL that the farmhouse appealed to the family because of its spacious rooms, high ceilings and original details, but relocating it was only the beginning of the challenge.
asserted
relocating → tell → challenge
Once renovation work began, the family discovered structural damage that had not been immediately apparent.
asserted
that → begin → damage
The problems added both time and expense, illustrating the difficulties that can arise when restoring a house more than 100 years old.
asserted
that → add → house
Despite the setbacks, the Moores continued with a largely hands-on approach.
asserted
Moores → continue → approach
They eventually estimated that around $80,000 had been spent on repairs and renovations, considerably more than the original purchase price but still part of their effort to create a permanent family home.
asserted
80,000 → estimate → home
The Iowa family moved the entire farmhouse four miles (Image: Iowa Public Radio)
Why the family documented the renovation online
Moore initially began sharing the project on social media to keep her husband's family in Washington state updated, particularly his 90-year-old grandfather.
asserted
family → move → state
What started as a way of sharing progress with relatives soon attracted an international audience, with hundreds of thousands of people following the farmhouse's transformation.
asserted
thousands → start → transformation
The family also wanted to show a less polished side of home renovation.
asserted
family → want → renovation
Rather than presenting an expensive, professionally managed makeover, Moore documented the work, unexpected problems and do-it-yourself projects involved in bringing the property back to life.
asserted
Moore → present → life
The timing made the project even more demanding.
asserted
project → make → ?
Moore was pregnant with the couple's third son during the renovation while she and Brandon were also raising their two older children.
asserted
she → raise → children
Support from viewers became an unexpected part of the journey, with followers regularly checking in on both the family and the house's progress.
asserted
followers → become → family
Preserving the farmhouse's original character
While modernising the property, the couple remained determined to retain its historic features.
asserted
couple → preserve → features
They carefully removed and stored the original woodwork, with plans to refinish and reinstall it rather than replace it with newer materials.
asserted
They → remove → materials
The family also hopes to restore the historic outbuildings surrounding the house.
asserted
family → hop → house
The goal was never to follow a particular interior design trend.
asserted
goal → follow → trend
Instead, Moore said the family wanted the house to feel warm, comfortable and lived in while keeping costs under control.
asserted
house → say → control
After moving in, they began shifting their attention from major construction towards landscaping, exterior work and smaller personal touches.
asserted
they → move → landscaping
For the Moores, relocating the farmhouse ultimately became about more than finding an affordable building.
asserted
relocating → relocate → building
It gave a century-old structure another life while allowing their family to create the home they had originally envisioned on their own property.
asserted
they → give → property
