Few parts of my job are more rewarding than helping my clients find the perfect home — especially when I help them uncover a diamond in the rough.

A couple of years ago, I was working with clients relocating from New York. After renting in the city for many years, they were ready to purchase their first home together in North Carolina. So I put together a list of homes that met their specified criteria, and we got to work.

After touring several homes, we pulled up at a house that immediately made their eyes light up. This particular home had been on the market for over a year, uncharacteristic of homes in the neighborhood and designated price range. It had a great open floor plan, a Charleston-style wrap around porch, stunning white oak floors. So why did this home sit on the market?

To be honest, it had one of the strangest master bathrooms I had come across in more than 20 years as a realtor. So strange, in fact, that it’s much easier to describe with pictures:

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Upon entering the master bedroom, you saw 3 doors along the wall. From left to right, these rooms contained a sauna, a water closet, and a shower. The furniture on the far left housed the sink.

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With two doors open, here you see the separate rooms for the sauna and toilet.

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The third frosted door was a shower that you stepped directly into from the master bedroom.

Upon seeing this bathroom, I saw the enthusiasm drain from my client’s eyes. We realized why so many had passed on this otherwise spectacular home. But I encouraged them to look past it, to take a step back. “This can be fixed,” I told them. “Let’s talk potential."

So we sat down to crunch the numbers. The house, which had been recently reduced, was a steal for the neighborhood and well within their stated budget. Even with the added cost to renovate the bathroom, the numbers were in their favor.

With a little encouragement, my clients cut through the noise and saw what a truly great prospect the home was. And with just a little vision, they were able to turn a fun-house bathroom into the bathroom of their dreams.

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One cohesive entrance was created for the bathroom. French doors frame a beautiful view into the room.

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A Victoria & Albert clawfoot tub serves as the focal point of the bathroom and is anchored by an oversized picture window.

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Clawfeet on the custom hardwood cabinetry mirror the garden tub for great visual detail.

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Grohe faucets were used throughout. Granite countertops keep the look polished.

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The double-headed fully tiled shower also includes a built-in bench.

Recently, these clients reached out to me with great news. Not only have they been 100% satisfied with their home choice, they were thrilled to find out the value of their home has dramatically increased since they purchased it.

“Connie — We just wanted to thank you again for helping us see the full potential in our home. We thought of you today when we received a Zestimate email alert that our home has increased in value by 45% since we purchased. We have been so thrilled with our decision to make this house a home, and it has turned out to be a great investment as well!” — The Hicks Family