When a New York woman inherited a 100-year-old home from her grandmother, she anticipated the renovation challenges but was unprepared for unexpected odors. Two years prior, Gia and her sister became owners of the house after their grandmother passed away. ‘It’s a beautiful home, and we’re lucky to own property in 2026, but significant renovations are needed,’ Gia told Newsweek.
Renovating a home is often a stressful venture. According to Block Renovation’s 2025 How America Renovates report, over 85% of 1,000 homeowners surveyed experienced stress during renovations. Furthermore, 57% reported ‘renovation fatigue,’ a burnout from delays, disruptions, and decision overload.
Gia approached the challenges with a philosophical mindset. ‘We knew it needed work, but after opening walls, more issues surfaced,’ she remarked, noting that the renovation journey was more complex than anticipated.
Among discoveries made during the refurbishment, the house revealed a less pleasant surprise—a persistent smell that Gia couldn’t ignore. The odor drew her attention while she spent time on the porch due to gas and electrical system issues. Initially attributed to a past mouse infestation in the basement, Gia noticed the smell worsened over time.
‘Everyone thought it came from the basement window, but as temperatures rose, it intensified,’ Gia explained. ‘It smelled like rotten meat mixed with spoiled milk—a sour, sweet, and nauseating scent.’
Gia embarked on a quest to locate the odor’s origin.
Her investigation led to a crawl space under the deck, untouched for 20 years. ‘My grandfather extended the concrete deck with wood, creating a crawl space filled with roofing and construction materials,’ Gia explained. Neighborhood cats and fleas had previously infested the area.
During the renovations, Gia uncovered two crawl spaces. The second was a ‘concrete box with a small window entry.’ Exploring the hot day, Gia identified the scent’s source within the box. ‘I dislike small spaces but realized the smell came from there,’ she admitted.
Upon closer inspection, Gia encountered a blurry ‘eye orbit and snout.’ Initially, it resembled a dog but revealed ‘leathery, mummified skin,’ eventually identified as a raccoon skeleton.
Despite her veterinary industry experience, Gia found the grim discovery unsettling. ‘I didn’t sleep that night, convinced more animals were present,’ Gia reflected. Her hunch proved correct.
Donning protective gear the next day, Gia excavated amidst sweltering 90-degree heat. Using a hoe and shovel, she unearthed an opossum skull, a bird, random chicken bones, and, tragically, a mummified cat, likely poisoned by nearby chemicals like antifreeze and muriatic acid.
The extensive cleanup took several hours, but Gia is relieved the odor has faded. However, the renovation process continues. ‘We find new issues daily,’ Gia noted. Junk removal teams have been hired twice, and more sessions are anticipated.
Despite ongoing hurdles, Gia’s outlook remains positive. ‘If we conduct the work ourselves, we might keep the house in the family,’ she expressed optimistically. Gia benefits from her plumber boyfriend and contractor father, but acknowledges a lengthy journey ahead.