Maggie Marystone didn’t set out to buy an abandoned house, but the city of Chicago had a deal that was too sweet to pass up. A citywide initiative to rehabilitate abandoned property in the Windy City gave her the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I was attracted by the notion of being able to afford a single-family home in the city,” Marystone told weather.com.

(MORE:)

But Marystone couldn't afford to be a homeowner, and was not impressed with the condos on the market, so she signed up for Chicago’s Preserving Communities Together (PCT) program in 2008, and found a property she could afford.Shortly after,Marystone met her boyfriendBradHochgesang, who joined her on her quest.After securing financing through Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), she set out to renovate the abandoned house.

The couple went with a modern design that was sleek and affordable. The rotted wood exterior was replaced with corrugated metal and red painted accents. They worked with architect Patrick Thompson of Manske, Dieckmann and Thompson.

One of the requirements of the PCT program is that the homeowner must bring the house to code. After a walkthrough of the house, Thompson assessed that not much could be salvaged from the dilapidated property. For Marystone and Hochgesang it meant a gut renovation.

Work on the house lasted about 6 months and cost approximately $250,000. The couple blogged about their journey at .Marystone couldn't be more thrilled about the results.

"The neighborhood is great, and I know our neighbors appreciate that the house, which was vacant for six years, is now fixed up and occupied. Plus, the metal roof makes for interesting sounding storms, especially hail!" she said.

Click through the slideshow above to see the stunning transformation.