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

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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.”

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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.

How do they choose houses for this old house? ›

Basically, if the story is compelling enough, the show travels to it. As a rule, TOH houses are old. But even 50 years old is enough to satisfy that requirement. And that's not to say the producers wouldn't consider a newer house,if it would make for great TV.

Do old houses still settle? ›

It is very normal for your old house to settle. Small cracks and movement sounds are not reasons for worry or panic.

How are old houses moved? ›

There are two main ways for a structure to be moved: disassembling and then reassembling it at the required destination, or transporting it whole. For the latter, the building is first raised and then may be pushed on temporary rails or dollies if the distance is short.

What are the negatives of moving houses? ›

Emotional Stress

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.

Are old houses hard to sell? ›

The Condition of an Older Home Greatly Influences its Saleability. One of the most critical factors affecting the marketability of an old house is its condition. Potential buyers of an old house are often hesitant to invest in a property that requires extensive repairs or renovations.

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 for the house on this old house? ›

But before you get too excited, be aware that the renovations are completely funded by the homeowners and not “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.

How much should an old house settle? ›

The amount of settling generally depends on the composition of the underlying soil, but it's not abnormal to see up to a few inches of sinkage. However, if your house settles more than that, if it settles unevenly, or if it continues to settle over time, you may have cause for concern.

Do old houses have more problems? ›

Older homes are prone to a variety of foundation and structural problems, such as major cracks or unevenness in the slab or perimeter foundation wall; corrosion, dry rot, or moisture damage in pilings or concrete foundation supports; damaged piers (support footings); and dry rot or moisture damage in above-ground studs ...

Can a 20 year old house have foundation issues? ›

Foundation Problems to Look Out For

All homes, no matter their age, can be affected by foundation issues. However, older homes are always at greater risk of experiencing foundation damage. Here's what to look out for if you or a loved one is living in a home over 50 years old.

What do you call people that move houses? ›

Professional Structural Movers & House Lifters.

Why do old houses go up in value? ›

Age and condition of your home

Home appraisers rate your home's condition based on the amount and degree of repairs required. Benson indicates that a well-maintained older home with a sound foundation and structure and functional systems will also have a higher value.

Why do old houses fall apart? ›

Houses without maintenance will eventually deteriorate due to natural forces like weather, biological decay and structural failure over decades or even centuries. Cosmetic damages like peeling paint and structural issues such as roof collapse and foundational shifts occur as moisture and pests break down materials.

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.

What age should I move out of my house? ›

What if I'm older than the average move-out age of 24-27 you might ask yourself. Know that it's totally fine to be a “late bloomer,” even when it comes to moving out of your parents' home.

What are the risks of moving a house? ›

Moving an entire house heightens the risk for damage during transit, especially if you're traveling several miles. Accidents can happen even with the most careful team, so be prepared to assess the house afterward for issues.

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