c.1935 Illinois Fixer Upper W/ Extra Lot and Garage $35K

OHU50K Notes $35,000

c.1935 Illinois Fixer Upper W/ Extra Lot and Garage. A charming handyman special for sale with a welcoming front porch and built-ins.

Yard featured at 501 S Dean St, Royalton, IL, 62983

Realtor Comments

This 3 bedroom 1 bath home is located on a large corner lot with an extra lot attached. A detached single car garage with extra storage space is located at the back of the lot. The house is in need of repairs and some updating. If you are looking for a project, this could be what you are looking for! The carpeting has been ripped up and hardwood flooring was revealed. The hardwood needs to be refinished but it is in great shape otherwise. The house has newer windows and new kitchen base cabinets. The seller bought this home and has no knowledge of all the repairs needed. The partial basement was full of water, so some of the electrical was replaced in order to keep the sump pump running. It will need some plumbing and additional electrical work done. It will need kitchen appliances as well and some flooring, an HVAC system, amongst other things. If you want a large house with large rooms and has a lot of possibilities, this could be your next house or rental. Inspections are welcomed but water cannot be turned on and the electrical has been replaced from the main panel to the sump pump. Seller is selling as is where is with no warranties. Check out the possibilities!

3 beds
1 bath
1,260 sqft
Build date 1935

If interested in a property, pleases contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended.

501 S Dean St, Royalton, IL 62983 $35,000

Contact Realtor: Debi Snyder
Google Map
Niche

Pros of Royalton

Extremely inexpensive housing. Current Census-based data puts the median owner-occupied home value around $71,500, while Zillow’s May 2026 estimate puts the typical home value at about $82,000. That’s exceptionally cheap by U.S. standards.
Low cost of living. City-Data puts Royalton’s 2024 cost-of-living index at 84, with 100 representing the national average.
Crime appears relatively low. Niche gives Royalton a B+ for crime and safety, and CrimeGrade ranks it in the 71st percentile for safety.
Very quiet. With only around 1,200 residents, you’re getting a genuinely small-town environment rather than a small city.
Reasonable local essentials. You have Casey’s, Dollar General, and several small restaurants including Chong’s Carry Out. There is also a local medical clinic, Rea Clinic.
Close to larger southern Illinois communities. Royalton is only a few miles from places such as Zeigler and Hurst, while West Frankfort, Benton, Marion and Carbondale provide progressively more shopping, healthcare and entertainment.
Access to outdoor recreation. Southern Illinois has considerably more interesting terrain than much of central Illinois, including the Shawnee National Forest region, lakes, forests and hiking areas.
Not economically hopeless. The current data actually show some positive signs: Zillow has Royalton home values up 5.8% year-over-year, and recent Census-based estimates put household income around $59,000.
Most residents own their homes. About 72% of occupied housing is owner-occupied, which fits the inexpensive, stable small-town character.

Cons of Royalton

It’s tiny. This is probably the biggest drawback. At ~1,200 residents, there simply isn’t enough population to support a large selection of businesses and services.
Shopping is limited. A Dollar General and Casey’s are convenient, but you’re going elsewhere for a proper full grocery trip, major retail, or specialty shopping.
Healthcare is limited locally. Having Rea Clinic is useful for primary care, but you’ll need to travel for significant specialty care or many hospital services.
Local employment isn’t especially broad. The area’s major industries include healthcare/social assistance, retail, manufacturing, education and transportation, but someone with a specialized career may need to commute.
Population concerns. Some sources show recent decline, although the latest ACS-based figures are somewhat noisy because the population is so small. Citytistics estimates a roughly 2.1% five-year decline.
Amenities are sparse. Niche gives the town only a C+ for outdoor activities and health/fitness, and a C for commute.
Schools aren’t a standout. Zeigler-Royalton High School gets a B-, while the junior high and elementary schools receive C ratings from Niche.
The town itself may feel run-down. This is anecdotal rather than something I’d treat as a hard statistic, but local reviews specifically complain about roads, sidewalks, yards and general maintenance.
Very car-dependent. You aren’t going to live a convenient car-free lifestyle here.
Southern Illinois has some economic challenges. You’re in a region that has historically dealt with population loss, declining coal-related employment and limited high-paying industries.