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? ›

When is the cost to move a house worth it? If you have the time and budget to support relocating a house, it can certainly be worthwhile. It's especially valuable if you'd like to preserve a historical home or if you've bought land in a better location for you.

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.

What are those houses called that you can move? ›

Modular homes are houses built off-site, usually in an indoor, quality-controlled setting. Modular homes are completed in sections called modules, according to specific plans. These sections are then transported to the site where they are assembled by builders and installed into the foundations.

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? ›

Financial Considerations

The cost of moving house encompasses more than just the purchase price. From real estate agent fees to moving expenses, the financial burden can be substantial, especially if unexpected costs arise.

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

That's significantly more than the cost to move an existing house. While the cost of land may increase the total cost to move a house above that $200,000 average, in most cases, it will be more affordable to physically move a house you love than it would be to build or buy a new one.

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 do you call someone who moves into an abandoned house? ›

A squatter is someone who moves into or onto an abandoned or vacant property without permission. It may sound illegal, but it is not- not until certain steps are taken by the property owners.

What is it called when you live in a house that isn't yours? ›

A squatter is a person who settles in or occupies a piece of property with no legal claim to the property. A squatter lives on a property to which they have no title, right, or lease. A squatter may gain adverse possession of the property through involuntary transfer.

What is a house that can be moved called? ›

A mobile home (also known as a house trailer, park home, trailer, or trailer home) is a prefabricated structure, built in a factory on a permanently attached chassis before being transported to site (either by being towed or on a trailer).

What do you call a person who moves houses? ›

house mover means any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of moving houses, buildings, structures, or other like object.

How much is the cheapest prefab house? ›

As of 2023, for a standard prefab home, you might see base prices ranging from $50,000 to over $300,000 depending on size, design, and the materials used.

What age is an old house? ›

But with such a wide range of homes available – what defines an old house vs. 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.

Why do old houses last so long? ›

There are several factors that have allowed these old homes to last for centuries; superior raw materials, unimpeded energy flow, and air flow. The materials these homes were built with had a higher potential to store water without failing, and could dry out easily due to the lack of insulation and air flow.

Do old houses still settle? ›

In fact, every house or new building construction is going to settle a little bit. This is just due to the weight of your home and gravity shifting in the soil beneath the foundation: this is normal. While some settling is appropriate, your home can also settle too much— leading to issues with your foundation.

Do old houses hold their value? ›

Value appreciation: Well-maintained older homes can increase in value over time — often quicker than newer homes.

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.

Is it a bad idea to move back home? ›

For most graduates, moving back home with the parents isn't their first choice after college. But sometimes it's necessary, especially if you don't have a steady income and need a little more time to get on your feet.

Are older homes harder to sell? ›

Difficulty in selling older homes often stems from outdated features, poor photos, overpricing, and lack of marketing. Old homes in disrepair or poor condition are less appealing to buyers looking for minimal repairs.

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