Series: The Cozy Cottage, A shingle style Bungalow

Today's Cozy Cottage is near and dear to me because, well, we restored it.  In the words of the realtor Kim Farinella.

"Experience old world charm & character with all of the conveniences of modern and stylish updates. Entertain family & friends in your very own urban oasis featuring professionally landscaped gardens that include amazing water features, wooden deck & privacy fence. Home is located in popular Holy Cross Neighborhood & is just steps from Mass Av, Highland Park, Flat 12 Bierwerks, Smoking Goose, Legacy Fitness Center & so much more. Newer 2 car + garage w stairway to yet another bonus area."

417 N Arsenal is a  bedroom 2 1/2 bath home 2256 sq feet plus an oversized 2 story garage with space above.  The home is offered at 200,000.00

This home is one of several in the Winona Park subdivision which was developed by the Winona Family perhaps best known in Indianapolis for the Winona Hospital.

More info Here

Midwest "Re-emerging Neighborhoods" La Belle St. Dayton OH

In the real estate run up from the late 90's until the real estate crash of 2008, Many old neighborhoods realized an influx of cash and re-investment and 'liberal lending practices" allowed many to go in former marginal neighborhoods and buy. The crash hit those neighborhoods hard with high foreclosure rates and was not helped by blight abatement ' policies of may cities. However those problems have led to some good buys out there and we will from time to time explore some neighborhoods and point out some Midwest preservation bargains out there for the preservationist ready to make difference in a re-emerging neighborhood.

Today we are looking at Dayton Ohio and specifically La Belle Street, an area mostly of homes built between 1860 and 1900 referenced as St Anne Hill area.

123 La Belle St is a decent 2 Story Victorian. This house sold last for 121K in 2004 and its on the market now for  ONLY 75,000. 3 bedrooms  bath 1640 Sq ft. This house has a great interior, nice sized yard and Central Air and it looks like the mechanicals were all updated...oh and it has a Sauna!. More info 123LaBelle

120 Labelle is right across the street and an interesting "eclectic house" that looks like it started out at an 1870 era Italianate home and received a Victoria makeover in the 1890's (build date wrong on listing). 3 Bedrooms 2 full baths it still needs more restoration but seems to be a good buy at 56,600.00.Some nice fireplace mantels and that porch after restoration would be great place to relax and enjoy the neighborhood comeback More Info: 120 La Belle

Down the street, you will find 34 La Belle. This is an 1880's era Victorian (build date wrong on listing) and has just undergone a fairly major update. 2000 Sq ft and 12 ft ceilings. Priced at 69,9K.

We love the Slate and tile fireplace . New kitchen and baths and you could change that to suite the more historic character of the home. More info : 34 Labelle

So there is our tour of La Belle street. We see lots of great Victorian homes at different price points and lots of choices for the Urban Pioneer in us all.

Historic Envy: 232 W Broadway St, Shelbyville IN

Now those of you who know your Victorian architecture understand that under that colonial porch beats the heart of an Italianate mansion.

What a house 232 West Broadway in Shelbyville Indiana, is a 6572 Sq ft Historic home with 3 bedroom and 2 baths and with its commercial zoning the possibilities are endless as to its uses.

We love the historic details and the huge room sizes. Priced at only 229,K!

More information Here

Midwest Mansions: Today, Kalamazoo MI

In case you are mansion shopping, or for you 'coasters' are thinking about buying step up starter home, Todays Mansion is probably in your price range at 1.650,000.0 Mil! 10 Bedrooms, 12 Baths, 6000 square feet.

 Located midway between Detroit and Chicago, the Kalamazoo House B&B is located in the heart of Kalamazoo's lively downtown core within easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, brewpubs, theatres, museums, and nightlife.

Profitable and popular, with strong year-round business, the inn has a high percentage of return guests, an established corporate and leisure clientele, and excellent reviews.

Meticulously restored and exquisitely furnished, the 10 guestrooms all have private baths, and many have fireplaces and jetted tubs. A separate, newly-renovated Innkeepers apartment provides complete privacy. Already successful, the inn also offers potential for growth.

The huge commercial kitchen could support a catering business or restaurant in addition to the B&B, and the expansive lower level could be built out to provide guests with spa services. This property is being offered totally turn-key.

More information Here

Friday Fix: Great Victorian Fixers Under 25K

Original 2 over 2 windows on this

Every Friday we will put together a special collection of Victorian homes priced UNDER 25K! Some need everything some are actually livable and most could be made 'campable' while you restore them. Think about that a Victorian Home for less than a Econo car. In some cases, less than what you pay for one months rent! Hear that, East coast folks!

A four color paint job and new steps would transform this home.

1021 Cherry Valley NE, Canton Ohio 9900.00! 4 bedroom , 1 bath , late Queen Anne elements, with the bayed front, some nice patterned shingles on the gabels and full width porch. Great starting pint for restoration. More info Here

1003 West 6th Street In Marion IN, Is a cottage with potential at 19,900, Take that vinyl off and we bet there is some patterned shingle work  bedrooms, 2 Baths and 1996 sq feet its bigger than it looks.
More info Here

361 Emerson Place is in Youngstown Ohio , and priced at 5000.00! This one I've included based on the fact this would appear to be a Barber Pattern book house and these homes are getting harder to find. The turret appears to be identical in design to several known barber homes. This falls in to the needs everything category of restorations but its a worthwhile restoration for the right individual. bedrooms, 2 Baths . A long road ahead but worth saving! More info Here

382 N Prairie in Galesburg IL 25,000.00 Looking for something larger perhaps? How about 3336 Sq Foot. This once grand homes is awaiting a restorer to bring her back to her original grandeur. Some nice Free Classic details in that porch. Home has two car garage More info Here

417 S 10th Street Richmond IN, 6500.00 Can you believe this? The build date in listing is wrong. this is 1875-1885 Italianate. You can still see the ghosting of the original shutters on the brick. 2836 square feet. Obviously the brick porch is later addition and the house would benefit by a more period appropriate porch but what a lot of home for the money. Our Friday Fix Favorite!, More info Here

Series: The Cozy Cottage: Greencastle IN

In todays installment of the Cozy Cottage we explore the small side of Victoriana.

Beautiful Victorian style home newly painted located at 308 W Liberty Street In Greencastle IN. Covered front porch with a large deck in the back. Inside woodwork is absolutely gorgeous as well as the hardwood floors. Kitchen and bath have been recently remodeled. Brand new central air has been installed. Sidewalks have been redone on Liberty Street.

 

Close to downtown, schools, DePauw nature trail, parks, and shopping. More Info Here

Midwest Preservation Bargain: 119 Laport Ave, South Bend

Great opportunity to own a beautiful Historic Home in the West Washington Historic District! Needs some TLC!

All of the original Woodwork, Wood Floors with inlays, 2 Sets of Double Pocket Doors, & 1 Single Pocket Door with Etched Glass, 2 original Wood burning Fireplaces. Newer Roof & Hot Water Heater. Updated Electric.

1st Floor has 10' Ceilings and the 2nd Floor has 9' Ceilings. Large eat-in Kitchen. Some of the Bedrooms have sitting rooms. Walk-up Attic that could be a finished 3rd Floor! Claw Foot tub in one of the Bathrooms. Large fenced in yard. One of the oldest houses in the City! This house has an incredible tile fireplace and a slate mantel and its close enough to Chicago for your "big city fix".

Priced at only 69,9K! 5 bedrooms 2 baths, 2346 sq feet. More info Here.


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