KEEPING IT REAL

How a young Midway Hollow couple created their perfect starter home

Life happened fast for Markus and Lilly Neubauer.

After graduating from college a year apart, they married in September 2009 and bought their Midway Hollow home the following December, just before the first-time homebuyers credit expired. He was 26, and she was 24.

“I can’t believe my life sometimes,” Lilly says.

The quaint 1950s ranch-style house, however, was far from perfect. During their first visit, they watched as other potential buyers left the showing, unimpressed by the wall-to-wall blue carpet and other outdated features. But the creatively inclined couple saw potential.