Bargain’s Top 5 For Sale By Owner
Homes For Up to $200,000 Below Retail
May 21, 2007
Discounts of $200 Grand below retail may sound just too grand to be true, but
not in this year’s FSBO market. While the median price of a single family home
in America hovers around $250,000, there are literally dozens of FSBO homes
priced between $50,000 and $100,000 all across the USA, representing markdowns
from average retail asking prices of between $150,000 and $200,000.
Lately, most of the attention around real estate prices has been focused on big
metropolitan markets like Los Angeles, Detroit, Miami, and Houston. So we
decided to buck the trend to illustrate that big bargains in houses (both
monetarily and size-wise) can be found even in some of the smallest towns
across America. Those in the select handful we chose are especially spacious
and have nicely groomed oversized lots.
747 Porter Ave., Campbell, Ohio: List Price $60,000
Campbell – affectionately nicknamed by locals “Soup City” – used to be East
Youngstown. With a population of about 10,000 the town’s slogan is “a small
town with a big heart”. If you also want a small price for a big house, you
might want to snag this one.
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This well-maintained red brick and wood frame combination boasts a lush lawn
and mature hardwood shade trees.
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In addition to a 110-ft. by 140-ft. lot, it also has a detached two-car garage.
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Interior space is 2200 square feet, which means it is priced at about $27 per
square foot, about 80 percent less than typical 2007 construction costs.
324 W. Aspen St., Crosbyton, Texas: List Price $75,000
Crosbyton is just a few miles west of Blanco Canyon and a half-hour east of
Lubbock. Farms and dairies spread across the landscape, interrupted by large
cotton fields in a region that has a long history of ranching, cattle grazing,
and agriculture. Crosbyton was once home to the largest cotton gin in the
world.
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If curb appeal is on your inventory of requirements, this house should be
A-listed, because it looks fantastic with a handsome blend of ranch style and
modern architectural lines that give it a clean, upscale profile.
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The Texas sized home covers over 3200 square feet on a third of an acre.
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A large, unique “shed dormer” with three windows centers this house, which
enjoys an enclosed porch that is the longest and roomiest we’ve ever seen.
277 W Exchange St., Kahoka, Missouri: List Price $88,000
Kahoka is a tiny town of about 2,000 people in the northernmost section of
eastern Missouri. This vintage farmhouse style home has a spacious yard with
plenty of potential for flowerbeds, gardens, lawn sports, or just relishing the
rare luxury of peace and quiet in rural America
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This lovely residence has a rather steep gable roof over a full-length front
porch supported by columns, with a large central double-window dormer upstairs.
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Large windows provide great cross ventilation and an abundant source of natural
light.
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You’ll have almost 1900 square feet inside, and a yard that is almost four
times as big as the house.
505 Third St., Lyle, Minnesota: List Price $89,900
Lyle, a village of around 500 residents that is about a mile from the Iowa state
line, is called the “biggest little town on the border”. In this era of
telecommuting with careers that take place via laptops and cell phones, you
could live in Lyle and work anywhere in the world. Or you could open a store
downtown and have little or no competition, since there are only 15 businesses
in the entire town.
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While Lyle is known for smallness, this home is defined by spaciousness, both
inside and out. There are more than 2600 square feet on nearly a quarter of an
acre.
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Plus, there is a detached garage that will hold 3 or more cars.
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A large open deck on the side for entertaining leads into the first floor
through attractive double patio doors, and directly above it is a romantic
second floor walk-out balcony.
26 Burt Ave., Auburn, New York: List Price $89,000
If you enjoy vintage architecture, Auburn is like a living museum of 19th
century American history. Five historic buildings in the town are listed as
official "Save America's Treasures" project sites, and Auburn is also
designated a National White House Millennium Community because of its important
historical places.
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Built in 1900, this classic white clapboard house has a gable roof with
interesting attic-level window features.
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A large protruding front wing includes a traditional covered front porch and
entryway.
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More than 1850 square feet of house is situated on a lot that occupies almost
11,000 square feet and the price is historically low for this day and age.