Bruce C. Alexander, who manages the program, suspects fewer people have the financial liquidity to tackle work that the state believes will require "a significantly greater investment" than the $175,000 minimum in the request for those proposals.
"I can only surmise that it was something to do with the economy," Alexander said.
The Troianis were discouraged by home prices in 2007, when Val's mother showed the couple a newspaper notice that the state was holding an open house at the Fair Hill property.
The couple was among five applicants. Their inch-thick proposal had photos of them working on their house in Aberdeen, and details down to the appearance of a garage they want to add.
When they first looked at the property, weeds and vines had grown two stories tall, sprouting through the sagging porch. Inside, the couple looked past holes in the walls and floors and saw the beauty in the hand-hewn beams and five fireplaces.
"We grew up in the woods. It's the best place," said Kim Troiani, who doesn't expect to be able to move in until next year. "We can fix up and restore this historic home and enjoy the property. Our kids will grow up in it. I think what you get back evens it out."
