Recently Updated Aug 22, 2023 at 2:49 PM
11 best old house websites in this article
- 1.Local MLS
- 2. Zillow
- 3. Realtor.com
- 4. ISoldMyHouse.com
- 5. About old houses
- 6. Dreams of old houses
- 7. Historical Properties
- 8. Old Houses Magazine
- 9. Old Houses
- 10. Cheap old houses
- 11. Historic Homes of America
Buying old houses is an investment. You might like older properties because they are more exclusive than the standard, modern constructions that pop up across the country.
You might like the history within the walls or be drawn to certain eras of architectural styles.
Some people like to buy old homes to renovate and restore, returning them to their original glory. This can even be lucrative if you find an old house for sale in alow price.
Regardless of your intentions with old homes, you first need to find the old properties for sale.before you can buy it.
You can spend time looking up property information for certain areas to see how old each home is, or you can streamline your search specifically for older homes for sale.
For those who live in the region, it's always worth taking a walk around and seeing which houses are for sale. This gives you an idea of the neighborhood or historic district so you can see how the old house fits in.
You can see different aspects of the house's attractiveness when you are literally standing on the sidewalk.
However, it is not always possible to move around an area you like and look for houses on the market.
You may not have the time or live close enough to take a trip to see the neighborhood. In that case, you can change your search for a home online.
11 best old house websites
If you can't see the city's historic district in person, there are several excellent sites where you can browse old homes. These are the 11 best places to findold houses for sale.
1.Local MLS
Local MLS is the multi-listing service in your state, county or even city. If you're looking for homes in an area where you don't currently live, you can still access the MLS for that location through real estate agents' IDX sites.
The MLS pulls data from local or regional registries on homes currently on the market. The details included in this information provide realtors and agents with what they need to know to help sell a home.
To gain direct access to the local MLS, you must have a real estate license or partner with someone who has access. If you are interested in old houses, you can obtain a real estate license if you are buying for investment purposes.
Though partnering with an agent can help in many ways. You will have access to the MLS, but you will also be able to call on it to help with your housing search.
The agent will have the inside scoop on local information as well as tips and tricks on how to research antique properties and make an offer.
Read more about local MLS
- How to List Your Home on the MLS Without a Real Estate Agent
- 9 Things You Need to Know About MLS Flat Fee Listings
2.Zillow
On Zillow, you can search by location and further refine your search by selecting how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want, the building type, square footage, lot size, and most importantly, the year built.
You can even choose other features such as basement, how many stories, views and amenities.
The option to select the year built is a huge time saver when using Zillow.
Instead of digging through all the properties in one area and clicking through the listing to read the details, you get a smaller set of results for properties that are sure to interest you.
3.realtor.com
Realtor.com is a site that pulls local market information. Once you've chosen your location, you can refine your search by price, building type, number of bathrooms, and other features.
You can search for homes based on how long they've been on the market, which can help you get a better deal.
Most importantly, you can choose the age of the house. A feature like this ensures that your results only include older or old houses, if that's what you're looking for.
You can also specify what kind of amenities you want and what kind of heating and cooling is in the house, saving you time.
4.ISoldMyHouse. com
Of course, we had to put our site on the list. Despite our name, ISoldMyHouse.com includes listings of homes for sale. You may need to dig through the results to find old homes because we are not a site dedicated to finding old homes for sale, but many of our home sellers use our site for this purpose.
You can see which homes catch your eye in our search results,check out our homes for sale here.
5.Around old houses
Circa Old Houses is as close to looking for a home as you can get. Their beautiful website has bright, eye-catching photos of the latest listings on the homepage.
You can browse this way and don't miss your chance to sign up for their newsletter and have old houses emailed directly to you.
If you prefer to make the most of your home search time, you can streamline your search with our resources. Narrow the field according to factors such as:
- Country
- state
- architecture style
- Minimum and maximum prices
- Minimum and maximum area
You can also browse by location, either on the statewide listing page or on the interactive map of homes for sale. Canadian real estate is on the Circa Old Houses website, and so are auction properties.
You can narrow your navigation focus if you are looking for a certain type of property, regardless of location. The site subdivides the listings into bed and breakfast properties, luxury homes, luxury homes, and mid-century modern homes.
If you've ever wanted to live in a converted lighthouse, school building or church, Circa Old Houses has a category for them. You can find unique conversions and live in aunconventional house.
For those wanting old and historic homes, you can browse all of the listings on the National Register of Historic Places.
These homes are incredibly valuable and you often get financial benefits when you decide to restore them.
6.Dreams of old houses
The layout and design of the Old House Dreams website transports you back in time while still offering the modern convenience of looking for a home online.
The site has impressive listings on the homepage, but you can also search by entering the minimum and maximum for years, prices, square footage, and acreage.
If you prefer to browse, you can narrow the field by state or region, period or era, architectural styles, architect, and other resources. You can even check out international properties.
Old House Dreams has several categories to browse if you're not sure what you're looking for but have a general idea. Categories include homes under $100,000, superior apartments, and homes in theNational Register of Historic Places.
A unique feature of Old House Dreams is the listing of endangered properties. These are houses at risk of incorporation or total demolition. Who knows, you might save a property at risk!
Time capsule homes and offbeat listings are a great way to expand your vintage home concept. You can see homes built and decorated during a specific historical period and fully embody that era.
Unusual listings include converted churches, schools and banks.
While you may see many listings on the Old House Dreams homepage, you'll want to sign up for their newsletter to ensure you see all available properties.
7.Historical Properties
The imposing layout of the Historic Properties website might make you think of traditional real estate companies, but all of the listings here are historic, as promised.
Right on the home page, you can search for the ideal property by specifying factors such as:
- architectural period
- type of construction
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Region
- Price range
- cultivated area
- Illness
These options ensure you make the most of your time by showing properties that meet your parameters. If you're not sure what you want, you can also browse all available listings.
You will see a photo of the house, its location, price and number of bedrooms and bathrooms. If something catches your eye, you can click on the photo to see the full list.
Historic Properties also offers the option of listing your home. They have three types of affordable listings so you can showcase your home to your target audience.
8.Old Houses Magazine
Antique Homes Magazine caters to antique home lovers who want antique homes. The traditional definition of antiquity in real estate refers to a home built before 1920.
On this site, the properties may be fully recovered or in need of some care, so you can search for the type of house you want to live or work in.
Since the antique real estate market is more limited compared to older homes in general, the options are naturally narrowed down for you. When you select the dropdown menu to choose a state, the site only populates states with active listings.
A feature like this saves you from choosing a state you're interested in, only to find in the results that there are no available homes.
As with other sites, you can narrow down the results by specifying details like price range, how many rooms you want, and the style of the house. If you have questions about styles, thehistorical style guidedescribes the qualities of each era.
You can also find resources such as artisans and artisans with skills in era-specific restorations. Having access will help you restore old homes to their full glory once you've invested in the property.
9.Old houses
The Old Houses website does indeed feature old homes, but it also has listings for homes that don't fit the profile. If you follow the standard real estate definition, an old house is 50 years old.
Old Houses has some listings that are under 50 years old, which will give you access to some properties that you wouldn't have seen on other sites.
The homes on this site are for sale, rent, or up for auction. They add new listings daily and make selling your old home simple through their platform.
If you're looking for a venue for a wedding, party or event, you can even search for event venues on Casas Antigas!
As with most real estate websites, you can search by location, price range, size and year built. You can also browse specific categories.
If you prefer to work with an agent, you can contact them directly through the Old Houses website.
In addition to home listings, this site hasresourcessuch as restoration information, period-specific artisans, antique dealers, and period-specific style guides.
You can also find magazine recommendations, documentaries and books about old houses.
10.Cheap Old Houses
The creators of Cheap Old Houses wanted to help people realize that the dream of owning an old house wasn't restricted to those with millions to spend on a property. Every home on their website is for sale for $100,000 or less.
The site started as a passionate project and was actually just aInstagram account. The account's popularity grew, so the couple behind the scenes decided to upgrade to a website to help others buy old homes without breaking the bank.
In time, they went offstage to star in an HGTV show about cheap old houses!
You may see some listings on their website and Instagram profile, but you need to subscribe to their newsletter if you want the best deals.
You can choose the category that best suits your interests, such ascheapest houses, farms or international houses.
If finances aren't a big issue, you can look for homes that are affordable but above $100,000. The most expensive properties rarely reach $250,000, so you're still getting a good deal on these properties.
You might be interested in all categories then you can get newsletter subscription with discount package. Yes, you have to pay to subscribe to the newsletters, but the fee is a drop in the bucket compared to how much you'll save by investing in one of those cheap old houses!
You'll also save time you'd normally spend researching on your own, so it's worth it.
11.America's Historic Homes
You could spend hours on the Historical Homes of America home page, looking at the top five featured properties. The detailed information gives you a wide view of the property as the photos roll by. If you are interested, you can follow the link for the listing details.
The home page also features some of the latest listings so you can see what's added to the market each day. If you prefer to be more proactive in your search, you can browse homes for sale by region, including:
- East Coast
- US center
- US West
The blog page, titled America's Historic Homes, features regular updates on unique New York City listings, mansions, and properties.
If you're looking to sell a historic property, you can list your home on Historical Homes of America. They offer several different packages to help you sell your home.
You can choose to create your own listing or allow your Realtor or Zillow listing details to be auto-populated. This streamlines the selling process for you, making the listing investment even more worthwhile.
With an audience of over 20 million followers, sellers will get the most reach from this medium. Plus, knowing that the site gets so much traffic helps buyers feel confident that they're looking at some of the best historic homes on the market.
Common questions
You know 11 great sites to find old homes, but you might need more information before making that investment.
Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions to make sure you know everything you need to buy an older home.
What makes a house old?
Recently Updated May 3, 2022 at 8:47 PM
You might be wondering if any home that looks old-fashioned or dirty is old, and while it might be, that's not enough to make it look old. The general rule of thumb in real estate is that any home that is 50 years old or older is old. Old houses are all built before 1920.
Regardless of whether the house is old, old, or looks extremely outdated, conditions can vary. You can buy an old house in great condition because the owners have kept up with it. You may find that a home built just thirty years ago looks decades older just because of the state of the foundation, roof, or walls.
You can look up home data online, through the county property appraiser, or through sites like Zillow and Redfin. they pulldata from other sources, so the information must be accurate.
What are the risks of buying an old house?
Recently Updated May 3, 2022 at 8:47 PM
When buying an old house, you should be on the lookout for a number of issues. Things like foundation issues, a deteriorating roof, and outdated electrical outlets and fixtures can all be apparent when you're touring the home.
You can feel if the foundation feels unstable or tilted inside the house. You can also look from the outside to see if the house looks flat or is sinking into its foundations. Foundation problems are major repairs, often costing up to $5,000. If you can do this before you move into the house, it will be less intrusive, but it will still be a great investment beyond the house itself.
Roof condition may be visible if shingles are missing or crooked. A roof repair isn't very expensive, but if there are more problems with the roof or gutters, you'll spend about $8,000 to get everything up to code.
Outdated electrical outlets and fixtures may vary in terms of repairs. Many fixtures, such as ceiling lights or bathroom lighting, are easy to replace on your own with some DIY tips online. But the wiring of 50 years ago is drastically different from the wiring of today. It's worth replacing to prevent fire damage and maintain your home's energy efficiency, and it only costs about $1,000.
Some problems with an older home are not visible to the untrained eye. You'll want to do an inspection to find these issues before you bid:
- Hazardous building materials
- toxic air quality
- plumbing problems
- old mechanical equipment
Older homes, especially those built before 1978, are likely to contain asbestos and lead-based paint. A professional inspection will find traces of both. You can't just paint over lead paint to lessen the damage, so you'll have to hire a professional to remove it completely. This can cost close to $3,000.
In the past, builders used asbestos as insulation. It can cause breathing problems, including lung disease, so you'll also want to get it removed. It is commonly found around old pipes, on walls, and in crawl spaces or attics. Depending on the amount of asbestos in your home, it can cost between $2,000 and $30,000 to have a professional remove it.
Radon and carbon monoxide are odorless gases found in older homes.radonit comes from the decomposition of uranium in the soil and can reach the foundations of your home. Causes lung cancer with exposure over time. Hiring a professional to eliminate radon costs about $1,000.
Carbon monoxide comes from a gas leak in the stove, oven, dryer or HVAC system.carbon monoxide poisoningcauses dizziness and headaches and can lead to death. Buy a carbon monoxide detector at any home improvement store for under $20 to find out if there's a leak in your home.
Plumbing problems can range from lead pipes to corroded pipes, both of which suck harmful substances into the water and can break or burst. Older homes surrounded by trees are at risk of roots growing into the plumbing system, which can cause backup or low water pressure. Depending on the cause, replacing pipes can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000.
Older homes often have older methods of heating and cooling, as opposed to the HVAC systems you might be familiar with. Some old houses usefurnaces or boilersto heat the house and may have window air conditioners instead of a whole house system. Another mechanical piece of equipment that you may find outdated and inefficient is the water heater.
You can test these systems when you're visiting older homes, checking that rooms heat evenly, or listening for a noisy furnace or water heater. Check for damp rooms or puddles around the water heater to determine efficiency.
What are the pros and cons of buying an older home?
Recently Updated May 3, 2022 at 8:46 PM
Despite the possible problems mentioned above, there are some advantages to buying an older home. Architecture is something to be appreciated when prefab homes are the new norm. You can find stunning Victorians, Tudors and Colonials if you're willing to buy an older home.
The older homes also have mature landscaping. You can hang a swing from a big, sturdy tree. Shrubs and flowers have been grown over time with great care, so you will have abeautiful landscapeoutside your door.
Depending on where you're shopping, it can also be cheaper to buy an older home. New homes often offer high-end appliances and customizations, so you're basically paying to make them your own. If you're willing to live in a home you once loved, you can save up to 30% when the market is good.
However, there are still some cons to buying an old house. In addition to the risks mentioned in the last answer, older homes often havehigher maintenance costs. They don't have the same insulation as newer constructions, costing you more in heating and cooling bills. Chances are you'll also invest some money in repairs and upgrades to make it comfortable.
Older houses are often smaller and more enclosed than newer buildings. A modern home has large square footage with open floor plans. Older homes, on the other hand, have less square footage and more indoor rooms than open areas. The bedrooms and closets are also smaller and the ceilings lower. Generally you cannot createopen floor plansdue to historical guidelines.
You need to consider your needs and aesthetics when weighing these pros and cons to figure out what type of home is best for you.
Are old houses a good investment?
Recently Updated May 3, 2022 at 8:46 PM
Older homes are good investments because historic properties can appreciate in value. The value may be higher than neighboring houses, simply because the house is old. This value is rarely affected by standard markets, as older homes are often located in historic neighborhoods.
If you buy an old house, you can work carefully to restore it to its original glory. With your time and effort, you may be able to sell the house for a higher price. Before making any changes, you should contact your local historical society. They may have certain restrictions regarding the characteristics of the house, mainly outside of cosmetic procedures and even paint colors.
While you may have to give up some of your personal aesthetic to adhere to historical society guidelines, you will be reaping benefits from them in the long run. Since your home is a historic property, they will likely help your home maintain its value.
You can also benefit fromFederal Program of Tax Incentives for Federal Historic Preservation. Offers a 20% federal tax credit to people who own, preserve and rehabilitate historic properties. You'll have to invest money at home to get the benefit, but it's a nice perk for a process you're likely already committed to on your own.
How do I sell an old house?
Recently Updated May 3, 2022 at 8:45 PM
Selling an old house is not much different fromsell any other type of property, although competing with modern constructions can be difficult. If you've kept your maintenance up to date, the age of your house matters less because it's in such good shape. You can do an inspection before putting the house up for sale to make sure you spot all potential problems.
Curb appeal is important, so step out onto the sidewalk and look at your home. Does it look attractive and inviting? Make notes to fix anything that detracts from the home's charm. Reform the roof with shingles that mark. Paint the shutters and mount them securely so they are even. Prune trees and shrubs to clear the landscape.
Decorate the house in an attractive way. Just because the house is old doesn't mean the interior needs to feel formal or stuffy. You can show personality and use pops of color to draw attention to the space or unique windows. Try to deflect things that have gone out of style, like popcorn ceilings, and help buyers see the space's potential.
Are older homes harder to sell?
Recently Updated May 3, 2022 at 8:45 PM
Older homes can be more difficult to sell. Some people think it's worth spending a little more and buying a brand new house, even if they're losing their charm. Other buyers don't want to have to deal with historical society restrictions on renovating if the home is old. They may also think that an older home has not been properly maintained.
But you can use many of theappeal of an older houseto sell it to others. Take advantage of the home's unique features. If the house has a widow's walk or a secret door that served as a passageway for the milkman, point this out to buyers.
People love quirks and are often attracted to these attributes because they are so rare in modern buildings. They may remember similar things from their grandparents' house during childhood visits and feel drawn to that house.
It is also worth boasting about historic properties. This tells potential buyers that the homeowners have kept the home in good condition and that the value will be higher than other homes in the area. For buyers looking for a particular location, knowing they won't have a problem reselling the home can make all the difference in the deal.