Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
“Everything Old And Residential”: This Group Celebrates Old Homes, Here Are 50 Of The Most Interesting New Pics
Sometimes browse real estate listings even though I don't have the money to buy anything yet. I just like to imagine what my life would be like if I moved into a former sardine factory in Maine or an old schoolhouse in rural Minnesota.
Turns out, there's also a subreddit for this little hobby, too. r/OldHouses is a place where members share photos of charming, lived-in historic homes from around the world, and it's a perfect place to get lost without spending a dime.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Omg ! I Have No Words
RELATED:
#2
Beautifully Restored 1883 Queen Anne Victorian Restored In Chelsea, Michigan
Upstaged75 1 month ago
I grew up in a house like this. It's a reproduction not original, but my parents filled it with antiques to match the time period. Everyone always wanted to know what was in the turret. The answer isn't very exciting - it was a bathroom, and the top part was attic storage. 😁
#3
C. 1900 Victorian Home Brought Back To Life!
Houses constructed more than a century ago account for barely six percent of homes in the United States, according to the market research firm Statista. But interest in old fixer-uppers has boomed as the cost of newer houses has skyrocketed over the past few years.
"We believe that you're being sold the wrong American Dream," Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein write in their book, Cheap Old Houses: An Unconventional Guide to Loving and Restoring a Forgotten Home.
"For many of us, the trade-off for acquiring ... [new] homes is living beyond our means and accepting soul-crushing debt, not to mention contributing to the overabundance of waste that comes from accumulating everything shiny and new ... It doesn't have to be this way."
#4
The 1905 Admirals House In Charleston, SC - Proof That Anything Can Be Saved
Barong 1 month ago (edited)
Knowing what it takes make these all the more impressive. Anything can be saved with money and time. This house reminds me of the movie “The Money Pit” (1986) with Tom Hanks. I love homes but there are a lot of things to consider before buying one. They tend to have chopped up floor plans, often small kitchens and bathrooms, poor thermal efficiency, limited electrical at best and obsolete and dangerous at worst. If it’s a fixer upper you would need as much as the home cost to built to fix because matching the materials, craftsmanship, and getting through historic architectural review is expensive. Even if they are in great shape will need frequent maintenance for paint and wood work. Not many carpenters are able to replicate the doors, bannisters, wainscoting, and other features of these homes, Queen Anne Victorians have complex roofs requiring skilled roofers. Plaster work is not your typical drywall but lath and plaster and some have detailed crown molding that are entirely crafted on site out of plaster. Wood floors of these homes can be solid wood clear of imperfections and virtually irreplaceable. For many of these same reasons, insuring them can be expensive as well.
#5
The Floors! The Floors In This $99k House Are Amazing!
#6
Oscar Mayer Mansion In Evanston, IL Saved From Years Of Neglect!
Of course, remodeling old houses comes with a fair number of challenges. Drop a marble on the floor, and it might roll to the other end of the room. Plus, they were often built with toxic chemicals such as asbestos.
But the Finkelsteins also run the Instagram account @CheapOldHouses, showing people that you can find interesting options on the market and giving them a chance to imagine a home’s potential. And the internet can't get enough of it: the account has nearly three million followers.
#7
1874 Second Empire House In Hudson, NY
#8
This Historic 1907 Tudor Home Is So Breathtaking!
#9
Love Everything About This Home In MT. Lebanon
Like all things real estate, buying and restoring old houses has become more expensive in recent years, given the increase in the cost of materials and the lack of skilled labor available.
"Nobody is naive enough to look at a lot of these houses and think that they don’t need work,” Elizabeth says. "Our audience can read between the lines and know what they're getting into. There's a huge decrepit mansion in a field in Illinois. That's going to take a different type of person.”
#10
Historic 1895 Guilded Age Summer Retreat In Washington, CT
#12
For Sale For The First Time Since 1936
#13
This Cottage In Kennebunkport, Maine Is So Charming!
And these days, even the "cheap old house" market has become competitive. The Finkelsteins have found in the past few years that they must post listings as fast as possible if they want to feature them before they’re sold.
"They pop up on the market and they’re gone in like five minutes," Elizabeth says. But if you aren't afraid of putting in the time and effort, the value you can gain can be huge.
#14
The Most Perfect Colonial Home!
#15
Cool Hardware In Our New To Us 1885 House!
#16
Does Anyone Know The Style Of This Staircase In My House?
#17
I Would Love To See This 1884 Home In Saint Louis Restored!
Sarah McGee, a well-known real estate agent who specializes in historic properties in Charleston, South Carolina, shares her perspective on the trend. "Buyers are increasingly looking for homes that are more than just four walls and a roof. They want a connection to the past, a space with personality,” she explains.
In cities like Charleston, New Orleans, and Brooklyn, New York, buyers are particularly drawn to properties with rich histories. McGee notes, "The buyers I work with often choose historic homes because of the unique architectural details—things you can't find in modern construction, like original hardwood floors, crown molding, and large windows."
And looking at these pictures, can you blame them?
#18
From My Morning Stroll This Morning, Boulevard Park Neighborhood In Sacramento, California
#19
C.. 1742 Chanceford Hall In Snow Hill, Maryland
#20
1888 Staircase Restoration
#21
The Spooky Decorations On This Historic Home!
Ghostchaplain16 1 month ago
What decorations? This looks to me like the previous owners are just sneaking back in for a look around. Probably forgot their skeleton key. (I'll show myself out now.)
#22
Found On R/Zillowgonewild - Seemed Like It Belongs Here
#23
Beautiful Architecture!
#24
Beautifully Restored 1906 Stone Castle In Minneapolis
#25
I Love This Queen Anne In The Middle Of Central Illinois
#26
Vestibule Restoration
#27
The Inside Of Our 16th Century Home
#28
I Love The Bathroom In This Time Capsule! Where Can I Buy A Needle Shower Today? More Pics Of This Incredible House In The Link In Comments
#29
My 1888 Victorian In The Full Moon
#30
Finally Got The House Painted
#37
First House Constructed In My Town Core Was Built In 1864, And I Rent The Basement
#38
Wallpaper In 1877 House
#39
My Old House Elevator
ILoveMySon 1 month ago
Similar to those in the Old part of my college dorms. They always clanked so loud.
#40
I'm In Love ❤️ With This House! Illinois USA
#41
Moved Into Our First Home! An 1860s Farmhouse
#42
I Actually Really Like This Addition!
#43
Sample Of Trove Found Behind Child Bedroom Closet Wall
Huddo's sister 4 weeks ago
There was a set of doll's house furniture (and a printed cardboard doll's house iirc) at my nan's house when I was growing up that had chairs like that. Not sure what era, definitely before I was born in the 90s. Might have been from when my older cousins were little, or even left over from when my aunts were kids in the 50s.
#45
What Is This Tiny Sink With No Faucet Next To The Regular Sink?
PrettyJoyBird 1 month ago
The original sink. Probably was a small room for the staff. Had sink but not a bathroom in their bedroom.
#48
I Hate What Was Done To This 1939 Neoclassical!
PrettyJoyBird 1 month ago
Ew no absolutely not. Whoever that architect is that agreed should be banned from profession.
#49
70s Basement That’s Been Well Kept
#50
Old Sears Home
keyboardtek 1 month ago
While we all appreciate the older house designs, it is important to realize that before one buys one to renovate, one must be wealthy, or a construction contractor. We bought a fairly recent 1951 built house and the cost to upgrade the plumbing and electrical to a safe modern standard was enormous. Just remodeling the kitchen alone cost $30K!
#52
I Think I'm Going To Be Sick!
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
You May Like 50 Times People Were So Proud With How They Decorated Their Homes, They Had To Share The Photos (New Pics) “This Exists And It Is Awful”: 50 Zillow Listings So Bad, They Look Fake “Dream Cottages And Gardens”: 50 Idyllic Photos That Might Make You Want To Abandon City Life
Greta Jaruševičiūtė
Gabija Palšytė
Shelly Fourer
Related on Bored Panda
