These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 — take a look inside (2024)

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Executive Lifestyle

Erin McDowell

Updated

2020-09-25T13:16:00Z

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (1)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank
  • Taking on a fixer-upper is a big project, but attempting to restore an abandoned, historic mansion is an even bigger undertaking.
  • However, the rewards of restoring a cheap, old house to its former glory are priceless.
  • These huge, abandoned historic homes date back to at least 1850 and are priced as low as $1,000.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (2)

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These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (4)

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Fixer-uppers are all the rage right now.

While restoring a century-old abandoned mansion is an undeniably huge undertaking, the rewards of living in a historic home could make the work well worth it.

Here are six abandoned historic homes for sale that you can buy right now.

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Located in the quaint town of Milton, North Carolina, the Gordon-Brandon House was possibly built circa 1850 by a local saloon owner.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (5)

Preservation North Carolina

In the early 19th century, residents flocked to Milton, many of whom were artisans and other craftsmen.

Among them was a renowned cabinetmaker and builder named Thomas Day, who owned a thriving local business and heavily influenced design trends in the region.

Today, the condition of the home is far worse.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (6)

Preservation North Carolina

Described as "a modest-scale raised Greek Revival cottage," the home's front features a two-story, three-bay wide porch supported by four large beaded posts on the lower level and more ornate posts on the upper level.

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The home was purchased in 1950 by Hunter and Annie Brandon.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (7)

Preservation North Carolina

Annie Brandon was a teacher, while Hunter Brandon owned a Tire & Grill nearby.

After being purchased by an absentee owner in 2000, the house suffered years of neglect.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (8)

Preservation North Carolina

However, much of the old-world charm of the home remains, from the arched details over this doorway to the turrets over the front windows.

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The stairway is not as grand as it once was.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (9)

Preservation North Carolina

However, a lot of the original structure is still intact.

Now the home is looking for a new owner to restore it to its former glory.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (10)

Preservation North Carolina

After a preservationist purchased the house years down the line, they turned to Preservation North Carolina for assistance finding a buyer.

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The Gordon-Brandon House is currently being listed for $32,500.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (11)

Preservation North Carolina

According to the home's listing, needed repairs include parts of the roof, new electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, removal of recent wood paneling and ceiling tiles, repair and replacement of damaged plaster, and some structural repair.

The home, which covers 1,968 square feet and sits on 1.7 acres of land, also needs some masonry work, new bathrooms, and a kitchen.

Located in Syracuse, New York, this abandoned Victorian-style home has a number of opulent, beautiful details.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (12)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank

The home was built in 1890, and while this three-bedroom home may only be going for $1,000, the listing states that this fixer-upper will require approximately $200,000 in renovations.

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Inside the 2,056-square-foot house, there are rounded rooms and features like this ornate ceiling.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (13)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank

The house has two floors. On the first floor, you'll find a small bedroom, a formal dining room, a formal living parlor with plastered ceilings, and an entry parlor.

The house can either act as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, or as two separate apartments.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (14)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank

On the upper floor, you can find two bedrooms as well as a living room.

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Details like this plaster ceiling are in need of repair.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (15)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank

Grand, ornate touches still remain.

Other rooms feature intricate ceilings like this one.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (16)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank

The home also includes some historic pocket doors and other design elements that harken back to its roots in the late 19th century.

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However, some parts of the home are in worse shape than others.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (17)

Greater Syracuse Land Bank

According to the listing, the house has suffered major water damage and major foundation reconstruction is needed.

The Talley House in Danville, Virginia, is a Queen Anne Victorian home featuring turrets, carved doors, and a front porch.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (18)

Friends of the Old West End

The house was built in 1890 by May Talley, which was unusual for a woman of that era. Considered one of the Old West End's most architecturally significant houses, the home is now in serious need of rehabilitation back to its former grandeur.

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The house was owned by multiple owners and families up until 1984.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (19)

Friends of the Old West End

Since then, the house has remained empty and fallen into disrepair.

The home also has outdoor space to soak up the Virginia sun.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (20)

Friends of the Old West End

The house is located in the Old West End National Historic District, where visitors can find a number of Victorian and Edwardian homes.

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The home is currently listed for $46,000.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (21)

Friends of the Old West End

Located at 126 Chestnut Street, this home is looking for an owner wanting to restore a classic, Southern Victorian mansion back to its former glory.

The Talley House is currently undergoing exterior stabilization and rehabilitation, and will hopefully be ready for new owners soon.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (22)

Friends of the Old West End

The porch has been rebuilt, the siding and roof of the house have been repaired, and the home has also gotten new exterior paint. However, much of the inside has been left untouched.

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The inside of the house needs some serious work.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (23)

Friends of the Old West End

The Talley House features multiple fireplaces.

Underneath planks of wood, future owners will find gorgeous historic fireplaces like this one.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (24)

Friends of the Old West End

Though much of the interior architecture has been stripped away, some details like fireplaces, wooden banisters, and arched windows remain.

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The house is a single-family home and sits on a 6,098-square-foot lot.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (25)

Friends of the Old West End

The home is also located right around the corner Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. According to the realtor, estimates to restore the house vary from $150,000 to $250,000.

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The Carter House, also located in Danville, Virginia, is on the market for just $28,000.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (26)

Friends of the Old West End

The Carter House was owned by John W. Carter, a sales clerk and city councilman, and his wife Margaret Redd. The couple first moved into the house before 1890, but the home is estimated to have been built between 1883 and 1888.

The Carters lived in the home, located at 870 Pine Street, with their nine children.

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The 3,404-square-foot home has changed owners over the years.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (27)

Friends of the Old West End

In October 1920, John W. Carter's heirs sold the home to James A. Stone.

The outside of the home, despite its dilapidated state, still has some of the ornate details that were original to the house.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (28)

Friends of the Old West End

The porch features historic full-length windows but will need some sprucing up.

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Inside, many of the walls are peeling and rubble can be found strewn across the floor.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (29)

Friends of the Old West End

However, the home does have multiple fireplaces.

In the dining room, the windows are in relatively good condition.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (30)

Friends of the Old West End

Some of the floorings are also salvageable.

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However, much of the house, which sits on a 12,400-square-foot lot, is in need of complete restoration.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (31)

Friends of the Old West End

The kitchen has been stripped down almost entirely, with dirt, pieces of the walls, and rubble lining the floor.

The home is part of a tentative auction to be held by Friends of the Old West End later this year.

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Built before 1900, the Longwell House is on the market for $22,000.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (32)

Friends of the Old West End

According to the listing, the two-story residence was built around 1900 for Henry D. Longwell, a well-known and successful merchant in the Danville area. Longwell moved to Danville around 1880 and opened a grocery store and confectionary.

According to Friends of the Old West End, he later married Henrietta Gordon of Hillsboro, North Carolina, and they had eight children together. Several of their children went on to be successful in their own rights — son Eugene wrote for the local newspaper and eventually went on to write for the New York Times.

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Members of the Longwell family lived in the home into the 1970s.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (33)

Friends of the Old West End

According to Friends of the Old West End, the last Longwell to live in the home was one of their daughters, Ray, who worked as a bank stenographer. After the house was converted into a rental property in the 1960s, Ray continued to live there until 1972.

Over the years, the house fell into disrepair.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (34)

Friends of the Old West End

The home was acquired for resale by the Danville Residential Housing Authority in 2015.

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Throughout the home, parts of the walls are peeling away. However, distinctive details like this fireplace, make the home worth saving.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (35)

Friends of the Old West End

Though most recently used as a multi-family house, it could be converted into a single residence. In fact, the listing even recommends that the rear additions should be removed and the home reverted back into a single-family house.

The left kitchen appears as if it was abandoned in haste.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (36)

Friends of the Old West End

Most of the cabinetry will need to be repaired or replaced in both kitchens.

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The James House, located in Danville, Virginia, dates back to at least 1891.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (37)

Friends of the Old West End

According to Friends of the Old West End, the house gets its name from Dr. John James, a medical practitioner who worked in Pittsylvania County before moving to Danville to pursue the tobacco trade.

He founded the James Tobacco company, which would eventually become the firm of Coles and James.

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The house now stands boarded up, abandoned, and empty.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (38)

Friends of the Old West End

According to the house's listing, this once-stately home covers 3,069 square feet and sits on a 6,048-square-foot lot.

But the interior is definitely not for the faint of heart: The owners stated that the home is in such disrepair, it's not even safe to step inside without someone else around to call 911 in the worst scenario.

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The home is being sold for $13,100, which is the current city tax value.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 —take a look inside (39)

Friends of the Old West End

However, for potential owners not intimidated by a major fixer-upper, this abandoned home could be the restoration project of a lifetime. However, intrusive water damage may mean that the home is on its last legs.

  • Read more:
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  • A Detroit man bought an abandoned house in the city for $2,100 and spent 9 months renovating it for his mom. Here's how he did it — and what it looks like now.
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History Real Estate

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction

I am an expert and enthusiast. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. I can help answer questions, engage in discussions, and provide information on a variety of subjects.

Concepts in the Article

The article discusses abandoned historic homes that are available for sale and in need of restoration. It highlights several properties with unique architectural features and historical significance. Let's explore the concepts mentioned in the article:

  1. Gordon-Brandon House in Milton, North Carolina: This historic home, possibly built around 1850, is a raised Greek Revival cottage. It requires repairs to the roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, plaster, and structure. The house is listed for $32,500 [[1]].

  2. Abandoned Victorian-style Home in Syracuse, New York: This home, built in 1890, features opulent details and rounded rooms. It needs approximately $200,000 in renovations. The house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and can be divided into two separate apartments [[2]].

  3. Talley House in Danville, Virginia: The Talley House is a Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1890. It requires rehabilitation to restore its grandeur. The house has turrets, carved doors, and a front porch. It is listed for $46,000 [[3]].

  4. Carter House in Danville, Virginia: The Carter House, built between 1883 and 1888, is a 3,404-square-foot home. It needs complete restoration and is listed for $28,000. The house has multiple fireplaces and ornate details [[4]].

  5. Longwell House in Danville, Virginia: The Longwell House, built around 1900, was owned by Henry D. Longwell, a successful merchant. It has historical significance and needs restoration. The house was last occupied in the 1970s and is currently owned by the Danville Residential Housing Authority [[5]].

  6. James House in Danville, Virginia: The James House, dating back to at least 1891, was owned by Dr. John James. It requires extensive repairs and is listed for $13,100. The interior is in disrepair, and water damage is a concern [[6]].

These properties offer unique opportunities for restoration enthusiasts to bring these historic homes back to their former glory. Each house has its own architectural style and requires varying levels of renovation.

Please note that the information provided is based on this article, and I have not independently verified the details.

These abandoned historic homes are on sale for as little as $1,000 — take a look inside (2024)

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