We took a $27K Home Depot shed and turned it into a two-story lake house worth $460K

New York Post - Mar 18th, 2025

A married couple from East Tennessee, Dawn and Richard Cook, transformed a shed from Home Depot into a luxurious two-story lake house, which they later sold for $460,000, significantly over the initial investment of approximately $197,000. This innovative project, shared via viral TikTok reels by their daughter Amanda McCormick, captivated millions online. The couple, lacking formal construction training, utilized their design and building skills, alongside professional help, to create a 'shome' featuring two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and unique interior design elements. Their success story highlights creative housing solutions in a challenging real estate market.

The project underscores the potential of turning unconventional structures into desirable homes amidst rising housing costs. Although the Cooks made a substantial profit, Dawn acknowledges the potential for even greater returns if not for appraisal limitations due to the home's septic system. As the shed-home sold again in 2025 for $505,000, this venture illustrates the growing trend of alternative housing solutions and the influence of social media in showcasing and driving interest in such innovative projects. Daughter Amanda envisions greater opportunities, even suggesting a TV show to spotlight her mother's talents.

Real Estate Dawn Cook Richard Cook Home Depot Shed Tik Tok Reels Lake House Diy Home Renovation

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story presents an engaging and timely narrative about a couple's innovative approach to homeownership by converting a shed into a lake house. It scores well in clarity and public interest due to its accessible language and relevance to current housing challenges. However, the article could benefit from more diverse sourcing and greater transparency to enhance its accuracy and reliability. While it offers a compelling personal story, the lack of broader context and analysis limits its impact and potential for controversy. Overall, the article provides an inspiring example of creative problem-solving in the housing market, with room for improvement in sourcing and balance.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims about the transformation of a shed into a lake house, including specific details about the purchase price, renovation costs, and sale prices. These claims are generally plausible, but they require verification for complete accuracy. For instance, the claim that the shed was purchased for $27,000 and the total renovation cost was approximately $170,000 needs confirmation from credible sources. Additionally, the sales figures of $460,000 and a subsequent sale at $505,000 should be verified through property records or reliable real estate sources. The engagement metrics from TikTok, stating over 8 million views, also need to be substantiated.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the perspective of Dawn Cook and her family, providing a detailed account of their experience and achievements. While this offers an in-depth look at their project, the story lacks diverse viewpoints, such as those of the buyers, local real estate experts, or Home Depot representatives. This singular focus may lead to an imbalanced representation, potentially overlooking broader implications or alternative perspectives on the feasibility and challenges of such a project.

Clarity

The story is written in a clear and engaging manner, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the transformation process of the shed. The language is accessible, and the narrative is structured to maintain interest. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations of technical terms or processes, such as the construction and renovation techniques used, could enhance understanding for readers unfamiliar with such topics.

Source quality

The story relies heavily on direct quotes from Dawn Cook and references to TikTok videos, which are not independently verified or corroborated by additional authoritative sources. The lack of diverse and authoritative sources, such as real estate experts or financial analysts, weakens the overall reliability of the information presented. The story would benefit from more robust sourcing to enhance credibility.

Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the project and the individuals involved but lacks transparency regarding the methodology of data collection, such as how the financial figures were obtained or verified. There is also no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, such as financial incentives for sharing their story. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the article's reliability and reader trust.