A couple of surprises with this month’s recently sold old houses. I was expecting two or three to take way longer to sell due to their condition.

Quite a few sold homes disappeared from my draft when I went to publish, so this is just a small sample of what sold since our last recently sold post.

803 Park Ave, Johnstown, PA 15902 $23,999 Sold for $20,000

OHU50K NOTES

Save this old house. I was attracted to this fixer upper because it looks exactly like the first house we owned in Bayshore, NY. Our featured home today is located in the Moxham Historic District of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

The Moxham Historic District includes 330 contributing and 34 non-contributing structures, including architecturally pleasing homes, old carriage houses and horse barns, vernacular houses and church buildings mainly dating from 1890-1930. The neighborhood was built in a relatively flood-free area, and the infamous 1889 Johnstown Flood resulted in little physical damage to properties in Moxham.

Unfortunately, the historic neighborhood has gained a reputation for crime in recent years. When we purchased our Bayshore house in the 1980s, the surrounding neighborhood was in decline. Today, however, the houses in the now low-crime Bayshore neighborhood are well-maintained and sell between $300K – $400K. It only takes a few individuals to start a change.

For those with interest in tiny and small houses please “like” the Facebook page Tiny House Calling. For those who yearn for a home with acreage, please “like” our Facebook page Country Life Dreams.

And to window shop spectacular old houses of all price ranges, visit our sister website at oldhousecalling.com or Facebook page Old House Calling.

3bed
1.5bath
2,500sqft
4,800sqft lot
Build date 1923
Google Map
Property Listing
Realtor: Rachael Shroyer with BHHS Preferred Ligonier

REALTOR COMMENTS

Save this old house. Welcome to 803 Park Ave. One of a kind fixer upper on a corner lot. Beautiful wood work and high ceilings showcase the character of this home. You’ll love relaxing on one of the two porches, or cozying up in front of the fireplace. Bonus room upstairs could be a 4th bedroom, office, craft room, etc. Huge attic. Unfinished basement with a partially finished half bath. With some TLC, this home would make a great investment opportunity or a forever home. Being sold in as-is condition

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2020 K St, Belleville, KS 66935 $22,900 Sold for $19,500

OHU50K NOTES

I know it does not appear so from the exterior, but the realtor claims this c.1910 home is move-in ready. The exterior certainly needs a paint job and repairs. The interior has had some unfortunate alterations, but if you are looking for a cheap old house you can move right into, this fits the bill. It is located in a low crime neighborhood and taxes are super low, too.

Contact the agent listed below with questions.

And to window shop spectacular old houses of all price ranges, visit our sister website at oldhousecalling.com or Facebook page Old House Calling.

3bed
1.5bath
1,640sqft
Build date 1910
Google Map
Property Listing
Realtor:Brice Bowers with Bowers Land And Home Realty Llc

REALTOR COMMENTS

Move In Ready! A little TLC needed / Perfect family home! This 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath has 1, 640 sqft of living space. Detached two car Garage, Fenced in yard and some recent updates, with a energy efficient heating and air system installed in 2014. This home would make a perfect rental or great family home for a family!

OHU50K does not represent this property.

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1700 E Great Marsh Church Rd, Saint Pauls, NC 28384 $49,500 ~ Sold for $40,000

OHU50K NOTES

For those who are looking for a cheap farmhouse for sale on a bit of land in a southern state, there is a c.1925 bungalow on one rural acre. The house needs some TLC, but it is a sweet little place in a sweet location 90 minutes to ocean beaches.

2bed
1bath
1,147sqft
1acre lot
Build date 1925
Google Map
Property Listing
Realtor: Marty Lanier with Nc Land And Farms, Inc.

REALTOR COMMENTS

Located on East Great Marsh Church Road near St. Pauls in Robeson County North Carolina, this farmhouse for sale dates back to 1925. It is located just outside of the small town of St. Pauls, and convenient to Fayetteville, Hope Mills, and Lumberton, the county seat of Robeson County. Shopping, dining, and medical facilities are all close by.

If you are looking for a home in the country this could be the one for you. House will need repairs and is sold as is. An additional 19+/- acres of farm land is also available adjacent to the home.

OHU50K does not represent this property.

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97 E. Main ST., Middletown, NY $37,900 Sold for $44,000 on 6/16/2020

OHU50K NOTES

Boy, was I wrong. It appears someone purchased the house. The Middletown librarian got back to me quickly, and as promised, despite the home being off market already, here is some of its history.

Karen Heil was so kind to type out a portion of the new book by Peter Laskaris, Middletown historian, called Old Middletown Homes.

“97 East Main Street: At least a brief mention should be made of the house at 97 East Main Street. The lot was purchased by Linus Babcock in 1865, and in 1872 his son Willaim Babcock began construction of a Second Empire styled house which was completed in March of 1873. Mr. Babcock, a Middletown hat manufacturer, was born in 1847 and died February 16, 1874 in New York City. This once beautiful house fell on hard times, as the saying goes, and was acquired by the City of Middletown in March of 1981 for non-payment of taxes. At this time, the house was painted red and green and was called “The Christmas Tree House” by many. City government, of course, with their typical creativity, planned to tear the house down, but a local group called the Middletown Urban Renaissance Action League (MURAL) intervened in an attempt to save the noteworthy structure. Their goal was for the city to sell the house at a low price with the provision the buyer actually restore the house rather than simply correct the code violations. While the group was successful in saving the house from demolition the city wouldn’t go along with their idea that the house be restored and a wonderful opportunity was squandered by the shortsighted politicians.”

Original post below:

I have slim expectations that anyone will save this old house, but since it is National Preservation Month, I can hope.

So why my pessimism? Well, besides the fact that it is one house away from a 4-stall firehouse and the annual taxes are $6,474, the poor house is in really bad shape. It makes me so sad. Plus, according to the 1930 US Census, a house valued at $45,000 was across the street. That translates into $675,000 in today’s dollars, but that house was razed. It’s now a paved paradise. They put up a parking lot.

I searched high and low for historical information about the house but couldn’t find much. Only pertinent information I came across is that East and West Main Streets were once part of the old Minisink Road, and the oldest house in Middletown is believed to be the Nathaniel and Jerusha Wickham Wells house at 315 East Main Street built 1775, and down the road from our featured home. I contacted the Middletown Library about our Second Empire, so if I hear back, I will let you know.

An interesting tidbit about Middletown, though. In 1911, Calbraith Perry Rogers made aviation history when he became the first person to cross the U.S. by plane. He departed Long Island on September 7, 1911, and landed in Middletown later that day. It was estimated about 12,000 people saw the landing. Taking off the next morning, however, Rogers’ plane brushed a tree and crashed into a chicken coop in the rear of a house on Sterling Street, just a short walk from our featured house. The pilot was not badly injured, but his plane, the “Vin Fiz” was damaged and he couldn’t leave Middletown until two weeks later. Rogers finally reached the Pacific Ocean in California December 10, 1911 without hitting another chicken coop.

4bed
2bath
2,269sqft
6,425sqft lot
Build date 1900
Google Map
Property Listing
Realtor: Derek Morgan with USREALTY .com

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210 Bellevue Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 $80,000 Sold for $76,000

OHU50K NOTES

Well, this is a find ~ a c.1923 fixer upper Tudor Revival cottage in Daytona Beach, Florida for $80,000. Yes, that’s right, Daytona Beach.

While the crime stats could be a lot better, the house is just 5 minutes to the beach! It has some lovely features, too, including hardwood floors, stone fireplace and French doors. Could make a great vacation or rental house. Did I mention it is only 5 minutes to the beach?!

For those who are strictly interested in homes with acreage, we have a new site up and running. Please “like” our Facebook page Country Life Dreams.

And to window shop spectacular old houses of all price ranges, visit our sister website at oldhousecalling.com or Facebook page Old House Calling.