Qualifications to Host:
I have participated in many MTS contests, as both contestant and Judge. (Like... 14 contests? Since 2013, I think?) The last one, besides the Official 2025 Calendar Contest, was Justpetro's The Future Belongs To The Builders

Concept:
I will provide five foreclosed TS2 properties. Contestants will choose three out of the five properties, to renovate ('Fix It' or 'Flip It'.) The winner will be the one with the most points in the end.

Rules:
1. A minimum of 10 contestants is needed for the contest to continue.
2. There will be no eliminations.
3. Judges will be chosen by the host and their scores will be final.
4. Free CC is allowed; but, BONUS points given for CC-Free builds.
5. Each round will have its own rules to suit the specific lot.
6. Screenshots will have to meet the MTS Guidelines.
7. You may use any and all building cheats.
8. Each round will last for 1 week. A timer will be set on the front page. Late entries will be accepted, with points deducted, 1 point for each 24 hour period (day) it is late.
9. Having fun is compulsory.

Mandatory screenshots:
1. The front of the lot
2. The back of the lot
3. An image from above showing the complete lot
4. A floor-plan image of each level, taken from above and as close to the building as possible.
(Extra shots are allowed - whatever it takes to clearly show the floor plan to the judges.)
5. An image showing the lot size and price.
6. You are allowed 20 extra images to show off your work.
If your screenshots are not meeting all the requirements, the host will let you know and you can submit other pictures before the end of the round. No extra time will be allowed though, and you may lose points if you don't have all the required shots in on time.

When posting your entries for each round, please include one large image in your post and spoiler the rest.

Contestants: We will need 10 contestants to start the contest. .
No special skill level is needed. This contest is open for beginners.

Judges: We will need 3 Judges + an Emergency Judge (EJ.) Please apply if you want to be a judge by posting an image of one of your lots as well as a link to it.
Judges will be expected to have their scores in within 48 hours, after the close of the round.
I will have a handy-dandy judging form for you to use/fill in. Brief comments will be expected.
Please be fair, and mindful of your tone when critiquing others. (It is not an easy job!!!)

Scoring:
- Build Skill: up to 5 points
Does the floor plan layout make sense? Bathrooms near bedrooms, and dining areas near kitchens?
Does the roof look correct for the style of build? Railings where needed? (Think of safety!)

- Requirements: up to 5 points
Houses must have at least one of each of these basic items: fridge, stove, food-prep/open counter, indoor garbage can, double bed, toilet, shower/tub, table, and dining chair.
For safety - at least one phone and smoke alarm.

- Decorating Skill: up to 5 points
Are all walls/floors covered? Do the furnishing and decorating style suit the build?

- Landscaping skill: up to 5 points
How is the curb appeal? Do the gardens and outdoor furniture suit the style of the build?
If there's a diving board, is there also a pool ladder? (Safety, again!)

- Playability: up to 5 points
Can all usable objects be used? Is there enough space for sims to move around without causing traffic jams and foot stomping?
This does NOT include items set up for "deco-only" purposes...
Please let the Judges know if you purposefully set an object as "deco-only" - like, for instance, a dining chair set at an angle. Make sure you have ample seating that is usable. Judges will take away points if you do not have ANY usable dining chairs.

- Creativity: up to 5 points
This isn't completely subjective... it is about the WOW! factor. Did they go the extra mile and put real thought into their creation? (Note to Judges - Only award 5 pts if you are actually gobsmacked by the entry; but also, don't go less than 3 unless it is really necessary.)
________________
30 points from each Judge = 90 points


Goals: (Catherine will judge this - so long as everything is met, you will get full points!) up to 10 points
Please make sure that your lot meets the required goals posted for each property.
Did you follow the Terms? and meet the Goals for this round?
______________________
+ 10 points from Catherine = 100 points total +/- bonuses


BONUSes: Awarded once per round
5 point bonus for using no CC
5 point deduction for destroying the Riverblossom Ranch house's roof.
(You know... sometimes, it's just gotta be done, and you gotta take the hit. It's all a part of the "cost of doing business.")

FIX/FLIP BONUS - Completely subjective (after all, the real estate market is fickle!)
The judges will indicate either Y/N to give you the bonus - one bonus per property.



#1) Bluewater Village Vintage Verandahs

PRICE DROP! 2/2 HISTORIC HOME WITH LAND IN BLUEWATER VILLAGE!!! 1920 Single family home on spacious lot with views of Bluewater Bay. Definite curb appeal! Large wraparound double-decker porches. Focal point fountain. Detached "Carriage House" garage with long drive way. Windows have storm shutters. Real wood floors through out - with some tile and laminate in the 'wet' areas. Ceiling fans in the bedrooms. Split bedroom floor plan. Kitchen features a view of the large back yard from the unique corner window over the ceramic "Farm" style sink, "Country" stove, newer stainless steel refrigerator, garbage disposal, dish washer, solid surface counter tops and real wood cabinets. Living room features wood-burning stove and glass arches that open to the central hallway. Bonus area upstairs. There is so much to see! Make your appoint to see this today! More photos to come.


#2) Downtown Crack House

OPPORTUNITY AWAITS with this solid, metal-roof home located in the heart of DOWNTOWN, just a few blocks from the Sim Center Parks. Offering a stately presence and distinctive architectural character, this property provides a strong foundation for renovation and restoration. This is an affordable block home with 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, and a large yard with a pond. The interior reflects deferred maintenance and will require repairs and updates - making it ideal for investors, renovators, or buyers seeking a value-add project. A buyer or an investor could do the work themselves to save money and have a nice home. Discover the charm of Downtown, known for its night clubs, restaurants, bowling alleys, and popular downtown shops. It's good to be home. Conveniently located within the Downtown area with access to parks, shopping, and local amenities. Priced to reflect condition and potential. Agents, please check special remarks in the terms.


#3) Riverblossom Hills Ranch

On the affordable side for a home. This CHARMING STONE FARMHOUSE with wrap-around porch has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The roof shows a permit in 2023. This spacious single-story home shares an open layout between the kitchen, dining area and living room for easy entertaining, and offers a blank canvas for your remodeling and design ideas. Situated on an oversized lot, this property offers ample outdoor space and strong potential for customization or future enhancements. Whether you’re looking to create a personalized residence or add a property to your investment portfolio, this home presents a solid opportunity. The property is being sold AS IS. All buyers must view the home prior to submitting an offer. Opportunities like this do not last—schedule your showing today before it’s gone!


#4) Strangetown Adobe Compound

Escape to your own private desert with this ultimate "Adobe" compound. Unleash your HGTV skills on this 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, well-maintained, unique property located in Strangetown!!! Efficient living and kitchen with dining counter. Furniture and fixtures convey with the property. Step outside to a sprawling deck-level oasis centered around a sun-drenched swimming pool. Additionally, the large backyard provides an ideal space for outdoor activities or for your pets to play freely. Underneath it all is a spacious, cool, bonus area to use however your imagination takes you. Located along the tenacious Road to Nowhere, within walking distance of the local shops. This area is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife spotting. Don’t miss this opportunity! Schedule your private showing today!


#5) Belladonna Cove Courtyard (a commercial property - if you rezone it)

We are proud to present the Courtyard of Belladonna Cove, a versatile unfinished two-story commercial project located within the well-maintained industrial zone in the heart of Belladonna Cove, just steps away from the Central Parks. This professional environment offers an ideal setting for an owner-user or investor seeking a flexible commercial asset with strong surrounding demographics and excellent accessibility. Originally constructed in 1985, the property features approximately 7,000 SF across two floors, designed to accommodate a variety of professional uses while offering enhanced operational flexibility. Strategically positioned along Bella Park Road - one of Belladonna Cove’s primary commercial corridors - this property benefits from strong visibility and immediate access to Bay View Drive, Main Street Highway, and the greater BDC metro area. Surrounding retail, dining, and service amenities further enhance convenience for employees and clients alike. The Courtyard presents a rare opportunity to acquire a well-located property that seamlessly blends professional office presence with integrated operational capacity. Whether occupied by an end-user, leased as an investment, or configured as a hybrid owner/investor space, this property combines flexibility, functionality, and location, within one of Belladonna Cove’s most stable suburban commercial hubs.

Judge 1	Judge 2	Judge 3	Emergency Judge
name	name	name	name

	Contestant	Total Points	Round 1	R1 Score	Round 2	R2 Score	Round 3	R3 Score
1	Victor_tor	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
2	Treehawk	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
3	Justpetro	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
4	Modder	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
5	Pebblerocker	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
6	Deatherella	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
7	heyoniina	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
8	shastakiss	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
9	peachy123uk	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link
10	name	ttl	link	link	link	link	link	link

Helpful Stuff:
A mod for getting rid of the red pause lines.
Turn On/Off All Lights.

Timeline:
The Countdown Timer will be set at the beginning of every round.
Rounds will last one week to build, and another week to Judge. And, as we get rolling, they will overlap. With 3 rounds, we should be done in one month.
(The OFFICIAL start date is May 3rd, but you can start building any time - just pick 3 out of the 5 lots and start working on it!)
May 3rd - Round 1: building
May 10th - Round 1: judging -AND- Round 2: building To be clear - the first reno is due on May 10th
May 17th - Round 2: judging -AND- Round 3: building ...the second reno is due on May 17th
May 24th - Round 3: judging ...the third reno is due on May 24th
May 31st - Winners announced

YAY!!! It is approved and "Live"!

I hope it looks like fun, and we get lots of participants

@CatherineTCJD Subbing to the thread so I can keep an eye on it. Give a yell if you need a judge.

Hah - nice idea for a contest

Let's have some fun this bit is sick
I wanna take a ride on a disco stick

If you start now... you'll have an extra week! You just gotta reno 3 builds before the end of May. (And turn them in on the appropriate dates, so they get logged into the contest in the correct time frame.) But, you are free to start any time.

Lemme know if you want a "go"!

Oh! Me! I join! It's been ages since I've done a contest - should be excellent fun! :D

Oooh, wonderful to see it's on! Thank you, @HugeLunatic - appreciated

I honestly want to be a contestant this time around, instead of a judge. I think there are many, many simmers who will make fantastic judges, and may be better than I have ever been - think about it.

And, hi, @maxon - good to see you!

YAY!!! Three contestants and a possible judge!

Guys, already started? Downloads rised. I see others to start preparations.
My first choise will be weird in all kinds of word.

Hell, nooooo, chase by location sucks. DELETE THIS

Good to see you too. I chat with Kat on Discord so popped over to give some support

Thanks for putting this together and hosting CatherineTCJD! I'll join as a contestant. May is especially busy for me but I have time to do 3 renos :D

I will enter! I think I'm going to have to explore each of the houses thoroughly before I know which ones I most want to renovate.

I have a rules question. For the lots where "outer walls" have to stay the same, can we add additional outer walls (like make the ground floor larger)? Also, can we use GA to make no-slope basements, fancy roofs, etc?

Yes!
You can add on - so long as those original walls stay as they are (meaning stone farmhouse walls stay as stone, and the cement stays cement - painted sure, but still cement underneath.) The only one you can't really "add on" to is the Historical Bluewater Verandahs - the historical society won't allow that because it's on the register.
I absolutely LOVE the Grid/Lot-adjusters and other build cheats! So long as the elevation relationship between the ground and the first floor stays as it is. Which will be really tricky because most of them do NOT have foundations... (Not saying you can't do it, but that would be really hard - and you'd have to use HL's Simple passage stairs, which are CC. So, think it through.)
The BDC Courtyard (commercial, ...probably) would be the easiest to add a basement to, as it has a foundation.
Actually - the Strangetown Adobe could also have a sub-basement, I suppose? Or change the current one to a No-Slope...

Remember - whatever you do - make it an improvement. We gotta get these houses flipped!

I can't wait to see what y'all come up with!

Poor me, I fergot say thank you for hosting. Modthesims already become indie-game shelter so I think you'll find all perticipants right away.

I have questions. I think I know the answer but I ask anyway:
1. Unlocked and debug objects counts as no CC? You used some debug floors I see which I can't even pick with eyedropper. So I guess it is okay since it is already exist in your houses.
2. Outer walls should stay I think the ceiling beams instead of outer walls still counts as against the rules right? since the wall pieces are off with hammer.
3. Should I create a really usable space by sims? I mean I can create great scenery but sims won't be able to use it because of routing issues.

It is always good to ask! Someone else might be wondering the same thing!

#1) If it came with the game, it is not CC. So unlocked/debug stuff is fine.
#2) Walls means walls. So no, you can't replace walls with ceiling beams. You can get creative with windows/doors/arches - but be careful to maintain the integrity of the building. Structural instability is not a marketable feature.
#3) Your routing will be judged. If you place things decoratively, and they are purposefully unuseable, then please let the judges know. Like what I said in the main post Judging section - if you decoratively place crooked dining chairs, you must have at least one that is accessible and useable for your sims. So long as you let the Judges know, it won't count against you.

My contractor tells me he is going to hit roofs with hammers, whether I lose points or not - and he can keep a porch but he has inspirational ideas or something - and he thinks a basement is a bad idea - and this and that and several things have to go, whether I like it or not. (Of course, he exists only in my imagination, but I think he is quite a difficult and determined sim who lacks a lot of nice points).

I am having enormous fun right now

Oh boy. Why did you said that? Now everybody knows you are "fixing or flipping" Stragetown shed

Well. Should we keep our choise in secret? I am almost sure there should be no how-to questions and WIP pictures, right?

I dunno... roofs and porches? Sounds like a certain Stone farmhouse to me.

Either way - I can't wait to see what your contractor comes up with, Petro.
And when they're done - maybe drinks will be served?
...I bet they're gonna insist on 'orange' walls too!


BTW - Speaking of basements and elevation integrity stuffeths...
The Riverblossom Stone Farmhouse does have a sort-of 2-step foundation. Even though it is just raised dirt. However, I would allow after careful consideration of @Treehawk 's question for a 2-step foundation with or without a no-slope basement, for that property. And, I'd consider that as being highly advanced building skillz!



No WIP's - save your pictures for your official entries.
How-to questions are fine - the whole point of doing a contest is to learn and improve your "building game", I think.

Oh dang it sounds like an offer.

Trying to remind myself that - as I haven't uploaded any houses so far - the only one who's tired of seeing all my favourite objects is me! So I don't need to challenge myself to use objects I've never used before. There are certain objects, however, that I'm pretty sure get the same "Basegame - groan!" reaction from just about anyone. (The Chiclettina Sardinia counters, am I right?)

Rules question: how about the Life Stories and Castaway walls and floors? Are they permitted for the no-CC bonus, or should I remove them while I'm working in the building hood? And, for entry pics, what defaults are okay? White roof trim, Slig's window glass, Menaceman's downlight fix, Nopke's half wall fixes? Neighbourhood terrain defaults, water shaders, hood deco tree textures, lighting mods? Default textures for everything in build and buy so all the woods match? Default meshes that aren't just fixes?

I will be away from keyboard for the entirety of round 1, so will have to miss this contest. But I will play along when I get back for sure!

Oh, I may save that one for another round Or not

My word, @CatherineTCJD - thank you for reminding me to tell my contractor about the orange walls My work will just not be the same without those.

@simsample - you will be missed. Who is going to break all the rules now?