FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (2024)

  • Login
  • Register

  • 11 years ago
  • Free Houses
  • 118

FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (3)

Being a historic preservation professional married to the director of a creative agency, I am constantly being challenged to appreciate the value of new things as much as I love the past (before I met Ethan, I would happily have plotted my overseas time travel to 1920s London and never looked back, even if it meant being dead by now). Ethan’s perspective has opened my eyes to the incredible ways in which new media can transform preservation advocacy, and how critical it is that preservation groups jump on the new media bandwagon. If you’re at all tapped into this world, you’ve probably seen the stats showing that social media is no longer an option for businesses; rather, it’s “just the ways things are.”

CIRCA’s presence on Facebook has introduced me to a number of wonderful preservation advocacy groups and campaigns that I had never before known about, and it’s great fun to follow their work. Coincidentally, three items that have popped up in my feed recently all have something in common: They are offering free houses to the first person who can pick them up and move them.

And by the way, if you’re interested in knowing how to move a house, I did some in-depth research that I’m happy to share with you in the video below!







FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (4)

Photo courtesy of Preservation Arlington.


Preservation Arlington is helping to promote this adorable Sears kit bungalow dating from 1926. Here is what their webpage says about it:

On behalf of their client, Arlington-based architects Paola Lugli and Paola Amodeo, of the firm Paolasquare international, are offering a free Sears house at 3010 7th St. N. (near Pershing Drive in Lyon Park). The house, built in 1926, is a Wellington model Sears home. Originally priced at $1,998, this lot recently sold in September 2013 for over $750,000. However, the needs of the homeowner do not meet the constrictions of the current home. Rather than bulldoze this historic property, the homeowner is interested in giving it away for only the cost of moving the home.

“When we got the project, we spoke with our client, and we all agreed that the house should not be demolished,” Lugli says. “Unfortunately, given its positioning on the very narrow lot and the programmatic requirements of the client, we cannot integrate it in our project. The Sears bungalows are part of Arlington’s historic heritage and boast great proportions, hard-to-find craftsmanship, and attention to detail. We would love for someone to move it somewhere where it can be used.”


To save this house, contact either principal of Paolasquare International:

Paola Lugli — [emailprotected]
Paola Amodeo — [emailprotected]


FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (5)

Photo courtesy of Keller Williams Realty.

FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (6)

Photo courtesy of Keller Williams Realty.


Ok, this one’s not entirely free. BUT it’s only $40,000, and hey, in my inflated world of Brooklyn real estate, that’s as good as free (and you might have some bargaining power there). Besides, it dates all the way back to 1840! Oh, I just love an historic log cabin. (Over the holiday, we happily binged on the entire season of Frontier House. Best 10 hours of my life.)

Here’s what the listing says:

A true and authentic hand-hewn Log Cabin constructed in 1840. It is a Dog-Trot design. It has a bathroom, dining room, living room and sunporch on main level. It has three adjoining bedrooms on upper floor. Located near the FDR & Warm Springs GA areas. Price is for the cabin only; no land. Buyer must move cabin to a new location.

To save this house, contact Keller Williams realtor Norm Hatke at 404-906-4455.


FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (7)

Photo courtesy of Historic Nashville.


Gahhhhhhh I love this one. A little Queen Anne with a porch to die for! AND It’s entirely free. From the Facebook page of Historic Nashville:

Looking for a FREE historic house?? This c. 1885 Queen Anne-style house at 1818 Eastland Avenue in East Nashville (across from Eastland Cafe) is available at no cost for anyone willing to move it to another lot. According to research by the Metro Historical Commission, the building was originally the Spout Spring School before being converted into a dwelling. In the 1970s, it was converted into 3 apartments. The current owner March Egerton has pulled a demolition permit, but will allow someone to relocate the house at no cost. The window of opportunity is short so if you are seriously interested, you must ACT FAST. Please spread the word. Let’s save this East Nashville landmark!

UPDATE (July 18, 2014): Sadly, the house in Nashville has been demolished. Thank you to everyone who reached out to try to save it!





FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (8)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.”

Next post

Free House! A National Register-Listed Home in Fargo, ND

Related posts

  • Free Houses

The Oldest House in Windsor, NY is Being Offered for Free to Anyone Who Can Move It

I want to thank Alison for tipping us off to this stunning ca. 1832 home in Windsor, NY, which she...

Continue reading

  • Free Houses

How to Move an Entire House

By Elizabeth Finkelstein. Remember last Valentine's Day, when we made a video about those 6 amazing...

Continue reading

  • Free Houses

Spotted on Craigslist! A Free Farmhouse in Iowa

by Rachael Meyerink We recently spotted this massive, classic Queen Anne in Ellston, Iowa, that is...

Continue reading

Join The Discussion

You must be logged in to post a comment.

FREE Houses! All You Have to Do Is Move Them. - CIRCA Old Houses (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth it to move an old house? ›

Pros Of Moving A House

Moving a house could allow you to keep a treasured or sentimental family home. It may provide the ability to take a beloved property with you wherever you travel. It may create the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of any upgrades or enhancements previously made.

What is a house that Cannot be moved? ›

Igloos are permanent homes for Eskimos. In cold places, it is warmer living inside houses made of wood. Permanent houses cannot be moved from one place to another. Kutchha houses are stronger than pucca ones.

How do they choose houses for this old house? ›

This Old House features two to three projects per season, and at least one of the projects is located in the New England area. We prefer projects located in climates where outdoor work may be undertaken during the winter months, and often we choose the geographic location first and then consider proposals in that area.

Can an old house still settle? ›

Differential settlement is pretty common in older homes, where the foundation may not have been built to the same standards as in modern construction. Differential settlement can cause one section of the foundation to sink or settle into the ground at a different rate than another.

Is it cheaper to move a house or build one? ›

Garages, additions, porches, decks, balconies, chimneys, fireplaces, and other accessories can almost always be moved with the house, but add time and increase the project cost. In most cases, if the building can be moved with the accessories intact, it is cheaper to do so than to remove and rebuild.

What are the negatives of moving houses? ›

The process of moving house is often emotionally taxing. Saying goodbye to familiar surroundings and adjusting to a new environment can trigger feelings of anxiety and nostalgia.

What type of houses to avoid? ›

Houses with foundation issues

Structural problems, such as cracks in the foundation, can be costly to repair. Avoid homes with significant foundation issues since they can affect the entire structure.

What are the things that Cannot be moved? ›

Some of the dangerous things that can't be moved consist of those, including lighter fluid, gas, propane cylinders, matches, paints, paint thinners, fireworks, oxygen bottles, household cleaning solutions, pesticides or herbicides, fertilizers, weed killers, spray cans, swimming pool chemicals and even nail polish ...

What do you call a house that no one lives in? ›

In most states, abandoned property is real estate that includes any house or building that's been unoccupied for at least 1 year. However, it also includes any property that the owners forfeited their rights to and that remains unoccupied.

What age is an old house? ›

a new house? In this article, we consider homes to be old when they are at least 50 years but no more than 100 years of age, while new homes have been constructed within the last few years.

Who pays This Old House? ›

Please note that the renovations are completely funded by the homeowners and not by This Old House, though the show coordinates product discounts and donations where possible. All donated items are considered gifts, on which the homeowners pay taxes.

What happens when a house becomes too old? ›

The foundation is unstable

Foundation cracks can occur in any house, but as homes get older, the foundation is more likely to get damaged. There are a variety of things that can create cracks in a foundation, including groundwater, tree roots, poor construction and drainage issues.

Do old houses have foundation problems? ›

Although it can depend on where you live and the construction quality of your home, it's likely that older houses can develop foundation problems at some point. For example, homes built before 1940 don't have as stable foundations as the modern concrete slabs we use today.

Is it normal for a 20 year old house to settle? ›

It is a fact that all foundations will start to settle over time. You may see small cracks form in your walls, and this is perfectly normal. Don't panic before you know whether there is anything to worry about. The first thing you need to do is inspect your home and look for any warning signs your home may have.

How do you know if your foundation is bad? ›

  1. Cracks in Tile Floors. ...
  2. Cabinets and Counters Detached from the Wall. ...
  3. Doors and Windows Pulling Away from the Wall. ...
  4. Doors Sticking or Not Latching. ...
  5. Interior and Exterior Cracks. ...
  6. Mildew Smell in the Basement. ...
  7. Nails Protruding from Drywall. ...
  8. Sinking Foundation.
Jul 26, 2024

Is it a good idea to renovate an old house? ›

Old houses can be bought for less. If you're looking for a true fixer-upper, you'll likely pay less than you would for a new home. And if you do the renovations yourself, you can save thousands of dollars in the long run and you'll end up with a great investment.

Are old houses a good investment? ›

Buying an older home or a “fixer-upper” can be a smart investment. But potential issues hiding within those aging walls may end up costing you more than buying a newer build. Determining the cost-effectiveness when purchasing an older home is essential to making a smart choice.

Are older homes harder to sell? ›

So, are older homes harder to sell? The answer is not a simple yes or no. While there are certain challenges associated with selling older homes, such as maintenance concerns and outdated features, there are also advantages, like a unique charm and the potential for renovation.

What age should I move out of my house? ›

The average age when people move out of their parent's home is between 24 and 27. This makes a lot of sense – it's after many people have completed college or secondary studies, and around the time when most people get married and/or are in a long-term relationship with a serious partner.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5785

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.