Month: November 2019

Victorian homes in the United States have been wildly popular since the late 1800s, precisely because they are built to last.

The rise of mass production of modular building parts, delivered by rail, enabled Americans around the turn of the century to create their own unique home designs, riffing on the Victorian blueprint.

As a result, several types of Victorians dot the landscape—Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, among other styles—but all boast ornate designs, detailed woodwork, and a flair for the dramatic in one combination or another.

In many areas of the country, well-preserved Victorians also have prodigious price tags. You could spend $5.5 million on a queenly abode in Palo Alto, $4.9 million in the Hamptons, or $4 million in New Orleans.

However, we wanted to see what a Victorian lover on a tight budget could score. We scoured the country to locate 10 Victorian homes priced under $150,000. The current median list price in the U.S. sits at $312,000, and it turns out you can spend half as much and still wind up with a vibrant Victorian.

Here’s a list of 10 bargain Victorians—because beauty and grace shouldn’t have to cost a fortune.

117 W. Sixth St, Cordell, OK

Price: $89,500

Lemon-lime lady: Painted up in cheery colors inside and out, this four-bedroom Victorian is full of surprises, like the enclosed sunroom, purple upstairs getaway, two-story workshop out back, and a storm shelter linked to the main house by an underground tunnel. Built in 1920, the home sits on a quarter acre with a backyard enclosed by a chain-link fence.

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107 Grove St, Elmira, NY

Price: $139,900

Elmira evergreen: Built in 1890, this four-bedroom home has been remodeled and is in “pristine condition,” according to the listing details. Highlights of the 2,350-square-foot home include a deep porch and second-floor balcony, open staircase, stained-glass windows, and built-ins. Recent updates include the electrical system, furnace, and kitchen.

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1033 Beech Ave, Cincinnati, OH

Price: $99,500

Beech Avenue beauty: Built in 1900 and filled with natural woodwork and hardwood floors, this large three-bedroom is move-in ready. Ornate finishes and double staircases give the home plenty of old-world charm, while modern updates add a touch of convenience and comfort.

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216 Church St, Audubon, IA 

Price: $49,900

Audubon antique: For less than the price of a new SUV, you could purchase this 1895 Victorian just a block from the town square. With more than 2,000 square feet, there’s plenty of room for a family. The classic home has extensive woodwork and built-ins, and offers boundless potential to upgrade the property into something magnificent.

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611 N. Green St, Yates Center, KS 

Price: $72,000

Midwestern Gothic: Built in 1870 and restored throughout, this three-bedroom home sits on more than half an acre close to the town square. Sweet touches like the stained-glass window with a lovebird motif, and the enclosed porch out back give the house a cozy, familial feel. The large yard also includes a roomy garage with workshop.

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515 Main St, Henry, IL

Price: $74,900

Crown jewel: A formal entry with stained glass, a walnut staircase, and carved wood from a bygone era are just a few of the high points in this three-bedroom home. Built in 1850, it’s been maintained and restored in all the right places.

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901 N. 10th St, Waco, TX

Price: $84,900

Wraparound in Waco: “Fixer Upper” fans, take note! Built in 1920, this three-bedroom home is only a 15-minute walk to the Magnolia Market Silos. It might need a bit of Chip and Joanna Gaines-style updating, but it retains much of its original appeal, topped off by a large wraparound porch.

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315 N. Adams St, Owenton, KY

Price: $105,000

Seeking renovator: This four-bedroom was built in 1907 and needs an enterprising buyer to help take the ongoing renovation over the finish line. The home still features lovely original woodwork, 10-foot ceilings, and large rooms.

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332 E. Orchard St, Delton, MI

Price: $115,000

Delton dream: This four-bedroom home is ready for an interior renovation. There’s a ton of potential, thanks to plenty of natural light, a full basement, and walk-up attic space. The large home with a wraparound porch sits on nearly an acre close to town, shopping, and schools.

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32 Wyoming Ave, Tunkhannock, PA 

Price: $118,900

Historic gingerbread: Curb appeal alert! Located in the heart of this historic town, this 1890-built Victorian is as colorful and quirky inside as it is from its exterior, which is layered with gingerbread woodwork. The four-bedroom home could use a few updates in its 2,000 square feet, but its original decorative woodwork molding and hardwood floors are a standout over a century later.

The post Beauty on a Budget! 10 Victorians Priced Under $150K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Black Friday is known for frenetic crowds, deep price cuts, and stress-inducing lines—but it’s all worth it when you snag a screaming deal on something you’ve been eyeing all year, right?

And with the holiday season in full swing, there’s just so much a home needs to get decked out and ready for guests. Plus, if shopping gives you a headache, there are plenty of apps that can help you whittle down your options to only the best of the best.

“Download a savings tool like Honey to your browser to find and test every available coupon for those that offer the biggest discounts,” suggests budgeting expert Andrea Woroch.

You can also check out this app’s nifty price history feature, which lets you see prices based on the past 30, 60, or 90 days so you can decide whether the Black Friday number you see is truly rock bottom or you want to risk waiting for another price slash, Woroch adds.

So whether you’re bargain hunting for a Christmas tree, Instant Pot, gifts for family, or some other item on your wish list, don’t miss out! Here’s a sneak peek at where the best Black Friday deals are hiding this year.

1. A faux Christmas tree

Woroch is a fan of grabbing a pre-lit faux tree at The Home Depot now, when the selection is better and the prices are fairly decent.

“Of course the best time for a tree like this is after the holiday, but at that point the choices are rather limited and you want one for this year’s celebration,” she says.

You’ll score this one on Black Friday for just $79 (it’s normally $229).

2. Google Home speaker

“If you’re looking to outfit your rooms with smart home gadgets like doorbells, lights, and speakers, we’re seeing some of the year’s very best deals on Amazon’s Echo and the Google Home/Nest line,” reports Kristin McGrath, editor and shopping expert at BlackFriday.com.

This particular speaker from Google Home will be $49—the lowest price all season—and it’ll be online and at Target stores at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Want to shop earlier? RedCard holders and Circle members get access to this deal a day early.

3. Philips Hue smart bulbs

In addition to three bulbs, you’ll get a bridge and dimmer switch in this smart kit ($129, Best Buy). You’ll rake in $60 of savings on Thanksgiving Day (starting at 5 p.m.) on bulbs that are rarely discounted, says McGrath.

“Lighting is so important to a home’s ambiance, and the ability to adjust your lights’ colors with your voice is just plain fun,” she adds.

4. iRobot Roomba

This product is a step above the entry-level Roomba, and you can get it for $235 at Kohl’s if you use a 15% off coupon from its Black Friday ad.

This item has been designated as a “Black Friday Deal,” not a doorbuster, so it’ll be for sale in stores at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and online Monday, Nov. 25, at 10:01 a.m. Central Time.

5. Duo Nova Instant Pot

Snag this 7-in-1 Instant Pot at Target for $65, which is $35 off the regular price. It’s not the cheapest multifunction pressure cooker out there, but there are some good reasons for this.

“This model has a bunch of options that make it more user-friendly, including an auto-seal feature and a safer quick-release button, rather than the lever that other versions have,” says McGrath.

Shop for this pick online and in stores at 5 p.m. on turkey day (although Target may announce an earlier go-live time online, she adds).

6. Dyson cordless vacuum

This wonder product will be 40% off the regular price of $249 from now until Dec. 5 at Lowe’s. It’s an easy-to-use, hand-held vacuum that makes short work of pine needles from the tree and glitter from those holiday projects all over the dining room.

7. Steel fire pit

This black steel fire pit will be $59 at Lowe’s Nov. 21–27, so you’d better act fast!

It burns real wood for that unmistakable scent, and it comes with a poker so you can safely tend the flames.

8. Samsung appliance package

Home Depot’s Black Friday ads are filled with appliances at up to 40% off, including Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool brands, which translates to hundreds of dollars in savings, says Woroch.

These special appliance deals, including a Samsung four-piece set with the fridge shown above ($1,798, The Home Depot), are available now through Dec. 5.

The post 8 Best Black Friday Deals to Get Your Home Holiday-Ready appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.