Tough Decisions and a Little Paint Bring Sussex Family Their American Dream

When Katie and Matt Glafcke, both 27, closed on their Sussex home last October, it was the last piece of the puzzle for their American Dream.

The couple has two little girls, ages 5 and 3, with another on the way, and Matt owns his own small business.  While living in the apartment Katie managed, they both agreed it was time for a backyard, and the house hunt commenced.

However, finding their dream home within their price range was proving to be difficult, and when they finally found one, it came with a twist.

“We were looking to be in a family-friendly community that was close to our church in Menomonee Falls,” Katie said. “Then when we weren’t even looking, our Realtor found this amazing home in Sussex, but it was a short sale. We saw the house on a Wednesday night, put in a offer that night, and had to close within two weeks or it would be bank owned.”

The home, near Sunset and Oak drives, had been on the market for around two years before the asking price was drastically reduced. However, no sooner had the couple placed their offer than they realized their daunting renovation task.

“It was nerve-wracking to buy this house because it was a short sale and we had a deadline,” said Katie. “But after doing the assessment of what needed to be done, we actually retracted our offer because we couldn’t even get insurance on the house because things like the roof were so bad.”

The Glafckes needed to replace the entire roof and fix the crumbling concrete walls that lined the driveway. Katie said neighbors called the house the “eyesore on the block.”

However, after presenting the assessments of the home and reducing their offer, the coupled bought the house last Oct. 23 for more than $54,000 less than the reduced asking price.  Over the following months, the couple painted and renovated the entire house inside and out.

“We finally moved into the house in December, and we love Sussex,” said Katie. “We weren’t even particularly looking to live in Sussex, but this neighborhood has been awesome.  There are kids all over the block, they’re running through the backyards, they’re playing hockey in the street, and they’re all so nice.”

Now with a new home, the best front lawn on the street and a beautiful family, the Glafckes have accomplished something many strive to achieve.

“It feels like we’re living the American Dream.”

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This story is part of Patch's nationwide series  Tell us what issues and what local stories go to the heart of your American Dream. Please contact editor Andy Ambrosius at andy.ambrosius@patch.com.