Described by The Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina as "one of the most high profile and distinctive buildings in downtown Dallas", this former jail is currently on the market for a mere $125,000 (£90.8k). Part of the Dallas National Register Historic District, the unusual property likely dates back to 1847, when the Court House next door was constructed.
Inside, you'll find 5,130 square feet of space and every room is brimming with eye-catching features, such as tin barrel ceilings, stunning tiled floors, brick fireplaces and sash windows complete with bars. It's thought that $19,000 (£13.8k) would be needed to improve the jail's exterior, including new drains. Luckily, asbestos has already been removed from the building, taking any health risk out of the equation.
What's more, the jail's haunting cells, secure doors and steel staircases are still intact, meaning there are plenty of unique touches that would help to make this building one seriously amazing conversion project.
As well as all this inside space, the property also comes with a quarter-of-an-acre of land. What's more, because of the building's landmark status, the buyer would be eligible for state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, making any renovation works even more affordable. So, if you're seeking an idyllic small-town property, then this former jail is definitely for you.
Have you ever fancied buying a historic home in Italy, where you could spend your days drinking espresso in the sunshine? Well, this abandoned country house in Lecce, Puglia, could well be the perfect option for you. The Salento country house is currently for sale with Homes and Villas Abroad for €90,000 (£77.6k/$107k), making it affordable and full of potential.
Located less than an hour away from the airport, the property is well-positioned as a vacation retreat. Create yourself an affordable holiday home, or use your newly purchased land to build a brand new country estate. Inside you'll find 1,722 square feet of space, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Constructed from local Lecce stone, the abandoned fixer-upper is brimming with character. There are currently five large rooms inside and each comes with star-shaped barrel ceilings, authentic tiled floors and unique floral decorations. With a lack of windows, however, the house is quite dark so could do with some carefully arranged glazing to flood the house with natural light.
The abandoned farmhouse even comes complete with two spacious gardens filled with fruit trees, as well as a piece of agricultural land that's located about 30 miles (48km) away. What's more, the property even comes with approval for renovation and has electricity, water and sewerage already in place, making any project that little bit easier to complete.
If you're looking for a fixer-upper project with plenty of character, but you don't have very much in the way of cash, then perhaps you should turn your attention to France. This quaint cottage in Britany is on the market with Sarl Mayer Immobilier for a staggeringly low €16,100 (£14k/$19k).
Positioned in a pretty little village in the commune of Plouyé, the rustic building has two bedrooms and one bathroom across its compact 646-square-foot interior. Despite its size, the cottage offers plenty of room for improvement, thanks to its fireplaces, tiled floors and natural timber beams.
Other plus points include the fact that the house is already connected to electricity, water and mains sewage, taking some of the stress out of a major renovation scheme. The ideal job for someone handy, the property does need plumbing and electrical wiring to be carried out, before it could be lived in.
Thanks to ample windows, every room is light-filled and warm, so given a little time and attention, we're sure this rustic retreat could be transformed into something really inviting. Whether you want to create a quiet home, an idyllic holiday cottage, or an Airbnb rental, this ultra-cheap property is sure to tick all the right boxes.
While you'd be right in thinking that a lot of real estate in California is reserved for the mega-rich, there are some affordable options out there for those unafraid of a little hard work. Take this detached family home in the city of Antioch as a great example. Although in a state of disrepair, the house is currently up for grabs for $499,000 (£362k).
Built in 1986, the property sits on a 0.23-acre plot and boasts a spacious 10,010-square-foot interior. There are currently four bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as numerous living spaces on the ground floor. The front door leads inside a light-filled lounge with a double-height ceiling, which could make for an impressive space if given the right makeover.
With an easy open-plan layout, the house flows nicely and is anchored by large windows. The old-fashioned kitchen could do with being ripped out and replaced, or even upcycled like one of these shoestring kitchen makeovers. If you can see past the peeling floors, blue and purple painted walls and curtain valances, you might just be onto a real winner...
The home's bathrooms have been frozen in time and currently offer unsightly suites and ugly wallpaper. Yet, with the right bathroom inspiration, we're sure the space could be far more inviting. What's more, the house even offers a large private driveway, a two-car garage and a backyard with a swimming pool – although this has seen better days and might need to be redone.
If charm, space and potential are what you're looking for, then the William T. Smith House is sure to win you over. Located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, the prestigious period property was built in 1835 and is now on the market with The Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina for just $60,000 (£44k).
Nestled on a private two-acre lot, the house also benefits from 4,073 square feet of inside space. Steeped in history, the building once served as a Civil War field hospital and lies in close proximity to RDU International Airport, making it perfect for keen travellers. The home's interior is overflowing with period fixtures, including exquisite woodwork, Federal and Greek Revival mantels and decorative fireplaces.
One of the three surviving Smith family plantations, the house was built in a Federal two-over-two-room hall-and-parlour plan. The interior is a spacious blank canvas that's awaiting your ideas. From the entrance hall you'll find an authentic winder staircase with Chinese Chippendale railings, while panelled doors and antique built-in cabinets can be found throughout. As the real estate listing says, we "just don’t build them like this anymore!".
Though in need of complete rehabilitation, the extreme fixer-upper does come with an added incentive. The lucky new owner will qualify for historic preservation tax credits to help them with the costs of the renovation works. What could be better than that?
Another place in the sun that might be of interest is this quaint property in Pinoso, Spain. Available for a mere €9,950 (£8.6k/$11.8k), the vacation retreat is in need of some serious TLC – not to mention a major cash injection.
For sale with Fincas Deltell, the country pile offers a 1,334-square-foot interior, decorated with rustic timber beams, thick stone walls, fireplaces and unique barrel ceilings. There's currently a lounge, dining area and kitchen, as well as three bedrooms.
The dirt-cheap abandoned home is the ultimate fixer-upper and comes with plenty of perks. The large entrance hall would make for a cool mud-room, while the pantry is the ultimate place to store your homemade preserves. South-facing with a small garden, the house gets plenty of sun but could do with a few more windows to flood the interior with light.
In need of major work, the house is missing part of its roof and currently doesn't have access to mains electricity or water, meaning this renovation project is not for the faint of heart. Yet, with the right attitude and a touch of imagination, this dreamy Spanish spread could be something really special.
From the outside, the Weaver-Dallas House could definitely be mistaken for a spooky haunted hideaway, yet there's much more to this historic home than meets the eye.
For sale via The Georgia Trust for $199,000 (£144k), the property dates back to around 1820 and features five separate buildings. As well as a cottage with Federal and Classical Revival elements, the almost one-acre garden also boasts two smoke houses, a garden shed and a 1930s car barn.
Thought to be one of the oldest houses in the town, the pad has been owned by the same family since 1840. Located in the town of Thomaston in Georgia, USA, the earliest version of the Weaver-Dallas House was said to have offered just one room, with a separate doctor's shop next door. Today, the main house features 15 rooms, including four bedrooms and three bathrooms. A grand entrance hall welcomes guests inside, while dual parlours would be perfect for hosting parties.
Every room comes equipped with eye-catching period features, such as built-in bookshelves, original fireplaces, timber floors and panelled walls. There's even a small stage upstairs that was reportedly used for puppet shows. As for the two smoke houses, these have already been converted into guest accommodation, which means the property could be turned into a comfortable family home or even a bed and breakfast.
Did you know that real estate in France can be exceptionally cheap, especially in more rural parts of the country? Well, this dreamy farmhouse in the Landivy region of north-western France is currently on the market with Haus Estate Agents for just €43,970 (£37.9k/$52.2k).
Although in an idyllic countryside location, the farmhouse is nice and close to a local village with all the key amenities. Sitting on a 32,290-square-foot plot, the historic home offers plenty of space for further development. Plus, with numerous outbuildings, including barns, sheds and garages, there's potential here to create holiday accommodation or other means of income.
Though we don't have the exact dimensions of the main farmhouse, we do know there's currently just one bedroom, one bathroom and one reception room. It seems like utilities are already connected, including water and electric, but there's much structural work needed in order to bring this abandoned farmhouse back to life.
Every room is rundown and crumbling, but if you can overlook the obvious downsides, you might just be able to see the home's potential. Just imagine how beautiful its rustic ceiling beams, pretty window shutters and timber floors could look after some much-needed attention!
Another fantastic option in France is this dreamy stone house. Again, it's on the market with Haus Estate Agent and has an affordable price of just €53,385 (£46k/$63.4k). Yet much work is needed before this historic country retreat could be deemed liveable.
The house sits on over 19,000 square feet of land and features a main stone house and a shed – both of which need a complete overhaul. The lucky new owner of this Meditterarean spread will gain almost 3,000 square feet of interior space, although the house currently only has one bathroom and one bedroom.
As well as an attractive and rustic facade, the period property also comes with water and electricity already in place, as well as plenty of characterful details. From exposed timber beams to tile floors, pretty windows and cast iron radiators, there's much to admire. The shed outside could definitely be considered creepy, but given some TLC, this outbuilding could be totally transformed.
If you're seeking a challenging fixer-upper that will allow you to put your own stamp on the place, then this dreamy house could be for you. For sale for just $5,000 (£3.6k), this Jazz Age mansion can be found in the city of Syracuse, New York. Constructed in 1920, it is bursting with potential and offers an impressive 3,128 square feet of inside space.
Though once a grand family home, the property has since been turned into three apartments, so some work would be needed to return it to its former glory. There are currently five bedrooms, three full bathrooms and three kitchens, so the pad isn't short on space. Beautiful details remain intact throughout, too, including elegant trims, timber doors, tilework, built-in cabinetry and parquet floors.
Yet there's plenty of work to be done and you'll need to do your research in order to avoid buying a money pit. From crumbling plaster to broken windows, rotten woodwork and even plants that have burrowed their way inside, the new owner of this abode will need to put in some serious elbow grease. Yet the possibilities are endless: transform the building into a fabulous family home, develop its three apartments for resale, or create your dream B&B in the heart of Onondaga County.
There are plenty of eye-watering interior design choices throughout the home, which certainly add to its charms. Yet if you could overlook the purple paintwork, mouldy bathroom suites and crumbling walls, you could really be onto a winner. It's estimated that the renovation work would cost around $120,000, which means for less than $130,000 (£94.4k) you could get your hands on a truly spectacular family home. We don't know about you, but we're sold!
Known as Gordon-Brandon House, this Greek Revival cottage can be found in the town of Milton, North Carolina, a 19th-century commercial boomtown that was once home to factories, a foundry, a roller mill, and plenty of taverns. Situated on a secluded wooded lot that spans almost two acres, the once-grand residence was built in around 1850 by Field Gordon, who happened to own a local saloon.
This historic photograph shows how the property once looked. Grand and glamorous, Gordon-Brandon House would once have been the pride of the area. For sale with Preservation North Carolina, an organisation dedicated to saving the architecture of the state, the property has changed hands several times over the years and was last bought in 2000 by an absentee owner who allowed the building to suffer years of neglect.
Offering 1,968 square feet of inside space, the generously proportioned home boasts plenty of original details, including its three-bay wide porch that's decorated with four large beaded posts. Inside you'll find double-leaf doors, original sash windows, delicate architraves, beaded baseboards, Greek Revival mantels and pretty mouldings. The building is arranged in a centre hall plan, with a large room on either side of the entrance.
With enough space for at least two bedrooms and one bathroom, there's also several lounge areas and a spacious kitchen. The Gordon-Brandon House is eligible for tax credits, which means the lucky new owner will gain financial assistance to bring the building back to its former glory. Plus, with a mere $32,500 (£24k) price tag, this historic home is also an absolute bargain. Before long, you could have a newly renovated home that even Chip and Joanna Gaines would be proud of!
If you’re house hunting in Wales, UK, then this attractive timber cottage could well peak your interest. Sitting on over an acre of land in the beautiful village of Beguildy, Powys, the house offers stunning views over the Welsh countryside from almost every window. On the market with Andrew Grant for just £175,000 ($241k), this compact cottage is also an absolute bargain.
Known as The Town House, the derelict cottage is in need of a complete overhaul – a project not for the faint-hearted. In fact, it’s thought that it’s been almost 30 years since anyone lived in the abode, meaning much work would be required to render the property livable. Originally a coach house, the property has also served as a holiday home and tea rooms over the years. Plus, in the UK, there are plenty of home projects you can undertake, without the need for planning permission.
Offer 1,000 square feet of inside space, the cottage features a lounge, a dining area, a kitchen and several bedrooms, as well as a bathroom that has seen better days. Many of the rooms enjoy marvellous period features, including exposed beams, pitched ceilings, panelled walls and timber floors. The dining room also offers a historic wood-burning stove, which would make a fantastic focal feature if restored.
As well as all this, the property also benefits from a spacious garden and a standalone Dutch barn, which offers additional development opportunities. The perfect space for an office, a holiday suite or a home gym, the barn offers an exposed timber ceiling and raw stone walls, which will provide the room with plenty of character. If you're tempted, these real-life drab to dream home renovations are sure to inspire...
If you don’t have much in the way of a budget, then perhaps this Victorian mansion will fit the bill. For sale with the Greater Syracuse Land Bank for just $1,000 (£726), the derelict dwelling is in need of some serious TLC. Built in 1890, the property sits on a 5,000-square-foot parcel and offers a once-elegant interior that’s just waiting to be rescued.
Located in the city of Syracuse in New York State, the rundown residence spans just over 2,000 square feet and has been split into two. In order to bring the house back up to scratch and turn it back into a single family home, it’s estimated you’d need $200,000 ($146k) in the bank – which isn’t bad considering its scale and current state.
The striking abode comes with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious formal living rooms and plenty of characterful period features. From original pocket doors to Palladian windows, intricate plaster detailing, coffered ceilings, rounded rooms and a substantial wrap-around porch, there’s much to love about this abandoned home.
Over the years the house has suffered major water damage and is in need of foundation reconstruction, meaning this fixer-upper is not for those seeking a quick and easy project. Yet, given a little care and attention, the abandoned all-American house could be the stuff of your real estate dreams.
This old country house sits in the quaint village of Hayredin, 34 miles from the Bulgarian city of Vratsa in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Encompassing four rooms, the house is currently spread over just one floor but the attic space has the potential to be converted into a second storey. On the market for just €9,000 (£8k/$10.7k), the abandoned brick house would make an ambitious fixer-upper.
There’s an annexe at the back of the house with two more rooms, while the spacious grounds have plenty of space for barbecues and alfresco entertaining. Outside, there are two walnut trees, two birch trees and a pine tree, so a green-fingered buyer could easily transform the garden into a relaxing oasis.
Love a farm building conversion? Next to the annexe is a two-storey storage building, which could be converted into extra accommodation that would be perfect for guests. There’s the option to buy an additional piece of land next to the property to increase the size of the garden further, too.
The house is in a quiet, secluded spot, but the main street of the village is just 650 feet away. Local amenities include grocery stores, cafes, a restaurant and bus services to Vratsa and the capital, Sofia. Outside the village is a river with fishing and camping areas – ideal for nature-lovers.
Doesn't this look just like a real-life doll's house? Sitting in a two-acre lot in Vernon, Indiana this Queen Anne-style home overlooks the beautiful Muscatatuck River. On the market for $120,000 (£87k), the three-storey house was built in 1884 by carpenter Robert Leavitt and has been deserted in recent years.
Built around 1847, this crumbling wood-clad home in Dallas, North Carolina, has seen better days. For sale for just $125,000 (£91k), it's a pretty fixer-upper best suited to an ambitious buyer with plenty of renovation experience.
Close to the stunning Sicilian coastline, this abandoned castle for sale is desperately awaiting the fairytale ending it deserves. On the market for €1.1 million (£949k/$1.3m), the promising structure could be converted into a wow-factor heritage home.
The grand castle is set in a colossal 17 acres of land, complete with an olive grove and carob trees. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, it's possible to purchase an extra 143 acres of land to push the property's potential development space to a whopping 160 acres. With this pad, you could really live like a prince or princess!
Although the castle has managed to retain many of its original features, such as its turreted wall, arched windows and dynastic details, it’s in need of a major overhaul. However, with a total floor space of 21,500 square feet, encompassing the castle, a country house and a number of outbuildings, there's plenty of property to play with.
London is known for its spectacular architecture, leafy parks and pricey real estate market, but it's also home to rather unique residences that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Mews houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, originally as horse stables with staff accommodation above. Generally tucked away behind grand mansions in some of the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods, Mews houses are some of London’s most sought-after pieces of real estate...
Priced at an astonishing £2.3 million ($3.1m) with Lurot Brand, this rundown residence is anything but glamorous in its current state. In need of a total transformation, it’s clear the abode has been neglected for many years. Crying out for a new lease of life, the property spans three floors and offers in the region of 2,700 square feet of inside space.
Located just off Warwick Avenue, close to Little Venice, the property lies on a street that has been home to numerous celebrities over the years, including the likes of Boy George and Sid Vicious. The house features a spacious lounge, a compact kitchen, one bedroom, one bathroom and a ground floor garage that could easily be transformed into a living space – perhaps an open-plan kitchen or even a standalone apartment.
Despite its obvious derelict state, the house has plenty of plus points, too. From original fireplaces to exposed brick walls, original lattice windows and exterior shutters, there are many unique and historic details that add serious charm to this abandoned abode. If you have the budget and the imagination, this unique residence could soon be the Mews house of your dreams. All you need now is some advice on how to undertake a fixer-upper renovation...
Have you ever dreamt about owning a historic home in Brooklyn, New York? Well, now might be your chance. Provided you have $4.5 million (£3.3m) in the bank, this dreamy landmark property could soon be yours. For sale with Corcoran, the striking structure was built in 1873 for the Coignet Stone Company and was used as their headquarters for many years.
Promient and spectacular in equal measure, the abandoned commercial building can be found on the corner of third avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn, between the sought-after neighbourhoods of Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, where many celebrities have chosen to settle down – including Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.
Spanning three floors, the Gowanus building benefits from plenty of eye-catching period details that are just waiting to be brought back to life. From its oversized windows to its exposed brickwork, 12-foot ceilings and natural timber floors, there’s much to admire about this abandoned building. There’s even a huge cellar with an 11-foot ceiling, which could easily be turned into a killer basement conversion.
Currently the building offers a spacious foyer with a timber staircase, three offices, a kitchen, two bathrooms and a bedroom, but after some modernisation and a reconfiguration of the layout, the house could easily accommodate four bedrooms. Although not for the faint hearted, or those with a small budget, this landmark building would make for one seriously spectacular family home.
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