WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — HUDU has done it.

Early this spring, the Des Moines-based odd jobs app bought a run-down house on 14th Street in West Des Moines and pledged to use nothing but its own tradesmen and women (called “Doers”) to pull off a complete renovation before summer.

They didn’t realize just how big the job would be.

“This was a big undertaking,” says HUDU’s Mike Kentfield. “I’ve flipped a lot of homes; not many in this bad of shape.”

The three-bedroom, one bath home had been seriously neglected by a string of owners for decades. Kentfield told us in March the smell inside made it difficult to begin work.

“It was so bad,” he said. “Floors and walls were rotted and they’d had cats.”

Kentfield and partner Derreck Stratton had decided to use this house to begin their “Flip It Forward” program.

“As a way to introduce HUDU to new markets,” Stratton told us, “we’ll buy a house and then use our Doers to fix it up. That will help build a base of Doers and hopefully give us some buzz in the neighborhood.”

Serving as the Guinea pig for the program, the West Des Moines house immediately drew attention from the neighbors on 14th Street.

“They’ve loved it,” Stratton says. “They’ve followed the progress on our social media feeds and they’ve come inside to look at the work up close.”

There has been a lot to see. Along with cleaning and refurbishing, the house has received a new kitchen, bedroom, and two bathrooms. The original oak floors have been returned to their former glory. A 33-foot pine tree has been removed from the backyard where the fresh sod can now drink in the sun and rain.

“We completely finished the basement,” says Stratton. “We’ve done everything. New drywall, electrical, bathroom, and a fourth bedroom with an egress window. There is so much more usable space than there used to be.”

Kentfield says completion is about a week away — and then the fun starts.

“Then we’ll start taking applications from buyers” he says. “We’re looking for veterans, first-responders — a young family. People with a story.”

Kentfield and Stratton are certain they’ll have a long list of applicants because — in addition to the home’s stunning upgrades and ideal location (near schools and parks between Valley Junction and Stillwell Junior High School), the home will be priced to sell.

“We plan to sell it for only what we’ve put into it,” Stratton told us in March. “That way that young family will move in with tens of thousands in equity already.

Flip It Forward.

Last week, appraisers visited the house and valued it at $335,000. HUDU plans to price it at $299,000.

Anyone interested in the home can apply online.

In the meantime, HUDU Doers are hard at work on a second home in Urbandale.

“I’m guessing it’ll be ready to sell around July 25th,” Kentfield says.

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