Featured Foreclosures: Antique Historical Homes at Deep
Discounts
May 14, 2007
With real estate foreclosure inventories reaching historical levels, those
shopping for a piece of history to call home are in luck. The current market
cuts across all regions, neighborhoods, and styles of architecture in the USA,
and includes some gorgeous and elegant older houses that are more than 100
years old.
Here are five prime examples of vintage homes listed at old-fashioned prices.
They represent discounts ranging between 65-85 percent less than the average
American home, but these lovely properties are far from typical because they
capture and reflect the charm, craftsmanship, and attention to architectural
detail of a bygone era.
#1 311-313 West Buena Vista, Highland Park, Michigan: List price $39,900
Highland Park, a suburb of Detroit, is a convenient commute into the Motor City
or up into Canada, where many residents go for weekend outdoor recreation. Not
only is this area famous for its Motown music, cars, and prominent sports
teams, but also for a wide variety of arts and cultural opportunities.
-
Built in 1916, this gigantic 8 bedroom, 4 bathroom multi-family brick house
offers great investment opportunity as a rental.
-
The asking price is equal to what most buyers of properties this size expect to
pay just as a down payment.
-
With 3,450 square feet of living area, the cost to own this building is less
than 12 dollars a square foot.
#2 188 Genesee Street, Lockport, NY: List price $49,900
The historical town of Lockport is home to the Erie Canal and is in Niagara
County, close to the famous Niagara Falls. Recent energy spent restoring and
promoting old architecture has paid off, and tourism based on the rich local
history now plays a prominent part in Lockport’s economy.
-
Built in 1890, this home has a bay window on the side and a classic porch
supported by large columns.
-
More than 2200 square feet, including 4 bedrooms and a bath and a half, all for
less than $50,000.
-
Thanks to the town’s Transit Drive-in Theatre, Lockport is one of the last
places in America where you can watch a movie from your car.
#3 316 East Washington St., Sandusky, Ohio: List price $57,900
While this property is more than 100 years old, the town of Sandusky itself is
so progressive and modern that it was ranked in the top 25 Emerging US
Metropolitan Areas by the prestigious “Cities Ranked and Rated” guidebook.
-
The house was built in 1900 and has almost 3,000 square feet plus a large porch
for entertaining.
-
With 4 bedrooms and 3 and a half baths, this home is more than large enough for
a family growing as fast as the town of Sandusky.
-
The Northern Ohio location is known for diverse recreational amenities and a
central location close to major cites like Cleveland and Toledo.
#4 45 Avon Place, Springfield, Massachusetts: List price $82,000
Springfield occupies a special place in American history, and is credited with
giving several firsts, including the famed Springfield military rifle, the
motorcycle, and also the game of basketball. Although all of those things were
invented in the 1800s, apparently none of them were around yet when this house
was built.
-
Springfield the third largest city in Massachusetts and lies just a few miles
from the Connecticut border.
-
This circa 1882 home offers four bedrooms and more than 2,000 square feet at a
price of around $40 per square foot.
-
Prices for construction with similar architectural details like a bay window
and side entrance and porch run closer to $200 per square foot in most regions
of the USA.
#5 420 North Miami Avenue, Bradford, Ohio: List price $94,900
A village with a population of about 2,000, Bradford was founded upon one
industry, the railroad. Railroad buffs or fans of history can visit the local
railroad museum, and you can own a piece of Bradford history by buying this
stately circa 1900 home.
-
Exceptional Queen Anne architectural features distinguish this home, including
a steeply pitched roof, conical dormers, and a prominent turret above the
curvaceous front porch.
-
The spacious house has almost 2,500 square feet – at a fraction of today’s
costs.
-
The home’s asking price is more than 60 percent less than the median price of a
typical single family home.
In most cities you will find professionals including carpenters, house painters,
and masons who specialize in older homes. Their expertise can be invaluable
when you need to know about such things as historical renovations, the value of
vintage architectural features, or how to find a reliable source for such
obscure items as clawfoot bathtubs, porcelain fixtures, and glass doorknobs.
With the money you save by buying deeply discounted foreclosures, you’ll have
plenty left over to go on a shopping spree to decorate your home with
appropriate antiques.