10 Under $50,000: A Mansard-Capped Mansion, An Oregon Bungalow and a Double Dose of Turrets!

I suppose I love a millionaire’s den as much as the next person, but I’ll be honest: Perfect, expensive houses can get a little boring. What do I really love? Houses with POTENTIAL. Fixer-uppers! Hidden charm. Something I could pour my heart into. Something undiscovered. Something to lure me to unchartered territory, to toss away my life as I know it, to invest all of my time and energy into a labor of love. Something I could actually own RIGHT NOW. Ladies and gentleman, welcome to CIRCA’s new weekly column: 10 Under 50!





2054 Market Street, Dover, KY

$30,000



Project home, needs TLC but could be restored to the wonderful old home it was, Great cherry hardwoods on main floor, majestic pin oaks and other mature shade trees. Large level yard, Being sold as is for estate. Bring your tape and pencil and find a true Mason Co. Bargain!





615 Maple Avenue, Johnstown, PA

$39,900



Lots of room in this 1887, 4+ Bedroom, 3 Bath Home! Features beautiful original woodwork, hardwood floors, pocket doors, fireplace w/custom tile & wood trim. Spacious foyer w/open staircase. Main flr w/formal dining room, living room, family room, eat-in kitchen & full bath. Second flr has bedrooms, bath, kitchen & access to covered porch. There is a finished 3rd floor with a living room, kitchenette, bedrooms & bath. Large covered front porch and fenced-in yard. Call today to schedule a tour! One Year Home Warranty available.





16934 5th Street, Pine, CO

$49,000



Victorian cottage, antique wood cook stove, great getaway! Close to Platte River, Pine Valley open space, national forest, fishing, hiking, biking, restaurants, shopping & library. Includes additional lot with garage.





260 Fig Street, Powers, OR

$32,500



Adorable 1921 craftsman bungalow!





607 N Main, Lagrange, MO

$50,000



This is a beautiful stone home with many features. It has a new roof and new low e windows. The wiring and plumbing have been completely updated throughout the home. The yard is not lacking as it’s just over and acre. Consisting of 2 residential and 3 commercial lots. It is located within walking distance of the Mighty Mississippi and blocks from the public boat ramp, library and city park. Being close to the river the house has never been flooded. This home has been remodeled and not quite finished. We have many building materials to finish the house that will go with the sale. For an extra $10,000 over the purchase price we will finish the interior remodel before you move in at owners discretion. The remaining remodel will be 1 month or less. As you walk through the double doors of the front of the house into an all glass foyer you will be able to head to the living room or kitchen. This is a one of a kind. Purchase your piece of history today. They don’t make them like this anymore.





105 Cottage Street, Bridgeport, CT

$35,000 (foreclosure)



Beautiful, 2,551-sf Victorian home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In need of TLC!





804 N 5th Street, Quincy, IL

$35,000



This 1869 Historic Second Empire Mansion with 7-bedrooms, 4-Baths, Double Parlor, and basement, sitting on very large corner lot (99 X 188.5) and is now being offered for rehab at this very affordable price! This 4454 square foot (approximate) brick features a belcast mansard roof with winding staircase to the 3rd level (finished). Former upper and lower kitchen areas, butler pantry and summer kitchen area. Pedimented roof dormers, scrolled side frames, main section with typical side hall plan design, 3 symmetrical bays, double entrance doors with transom, corbelled cornice (double header row), corner bricks on fa ade slightly raised as piers, incised cornice of wood, South elevation with semi-hexagonal bay, rear wing sash with lintels. Owners are parting with this historic keeper and selling on as-is basis. Part new roof (2-story portion installed in 2010). This unique historic home is being offered at the very affordable price of only $35,000. No owner finance is being offered (must be cash or new loan).





3121 4th Avenue N, Saint Cloud, MN

$44,900



Handyman’s special. Century home near downtown, Tech High School, and Lake George. On bus-line. Included is a 8′ x 10′ shed.





101 S 3rd Avenue Villiasca, IA

$19,000 (foreclosure)



Two-story home loaded with character with an oversized 2-car detached garage. Features a beautiful open staircase and original natural woodwork. Nice corner lot in a quiet small town. Property sold as is and subject to HUD Guidelines 24 CFR 206.125.





200 S Smith Street, Thornton, TX

$29,000



Circa 1900 2-story Victorian home on corner lot in small central Texas town of 500. The home has some renovation started, but owner has gone through a divorce and has to sell. The home needs complete restoration. Would make a wonderful bed and breakfast!









AUTHOR ELIZABETH FINKELSTEIN

Elizabeth is the founder of CIRCA and a practicing writer, architectural historian and preservation consultant living in Brooklyn, NY. Elizabeth has loved historic houses for as long as she can remember, having grown up in an 1850’s Greek Revival gem that was lovingly restored by her parents. Elizabeth, her husband Ethan and their beagle Banjo remain on a relentless hunt for their perfect “Thanksgiving house.”