c.1950 Virginia Fixer Upper Lustron Home For Sale Under $50K

OHU50K Notes $49,900

Lustron home for sale! Love it when we come across one!

The prefab, enameled steel, Lustron homes were introduced in 1948 in response to the need of housing after WWII. Our featured home today is the dove gray three-bedroom Westchester model. The two-bedroom Westchester is easily recognized by its notched porch outside of the living room, but the three-bedroom model does without the porch to make space for a small extra bedroom. You can date the Westchester design by the bedroom windows. The earliest homes had pairs of small slit windows set high on the wall. In 1949 and 1950, they changed to the larger single window design like this one has, so this home’s build date must be 1949 or 1950.

In most cases, like our featured home, the foundation was a basic concrete slab. Windows were casement with aluminum sashes, and the skeleton framing of the house was steel. Porcelain steel panels formed the siding, interior walls and roof. The Westchester’s exterior came in four colors: surf blue, dove gray, maize yellow and desert tan.

Lustron homes like this one sold from the factory for about $7,500. By the time a foundation, erection costs and other fees were added, the total could amount to $10,000. At a time when similar-sized frames homes were going for $6,500 complete, $10K seemed a high price to pay for a small, plain looking house. Although about 2,500 Lustron homes were sold, the company soon folded.

This particular home has seen a lot of de-Lustronization. Particularly distressing is the removal of the dining room built-in (shown below). Perhaps that contributes to the super cheap price.

Exterior featured at 707 Auburn Pl, Martinsville, VA, 24112

Realtor Comments

Seize the chance to breathe new life into this promising investment property in the heart of Martinsville. This character-filled fixer-upper is perfect for anyone eager to tackle a rewarding renovation. Whether you’re planning a lucrative flip or a dependable rental, this home provides endless possibilities. With a comfortable three-bedroom, one-bathroom layout, this property is just waiting for your creative touch to restore its charm.

3 bed
1 bath
Build date 1950

If interested in a property, please 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.