Abandoned American homes you can buy
Forlorn homes for sale with plenty of promise

Have you ever considered taking on a serious fixer-upper project? These abandoned homes might be a little rough around the edges, but they're brimming with promise. From a bargain family home in New York to a prime piece of real estate in Utah, these tumbledown treasures are just waiting to be rescued. Click or scroll on to browse the best abandoned buildings on the market across America...
Charming shiplap home, Syracuse, New York: $8,000 (£7.1k)

If you're working to a tight budget, then this charming shiplap home could well be within your reach. With a price tag of just $8,000 (£7.1k) and estimated renovation costs of $77,000 (£68.5k), this pad is incredibly affordable. Plus, its adorable exterior and cosy interior only add to its appeal.
Charming shiplap home, Syracuse, New York: $8,000 (£7.1k)

Spanning 1,680 square feet, the abandoned building was built in 1910 but clearly hasn't been occupied for some time—nor given any love. In fact, the city of Syracuse took ownership of the home after it had been left vacant for years, first listing it for $18,000 (£16k), but reducing the price after struggling to find a buyer.
Charming shiplap home, Syracuse, New York: $8,000 (£7.1k)

It's likely people have been put off by the amount of work needed to bring the house back to a liveable state. But there are countless lovely details that would make the restoration well worth while. For example, the home benefits from large bay windows, high ceilings, brick fireplaces and hardwood floors—but all of these elements will need to be carefully repaired.
Charming shiplap home, Syracuse, New York: $8,000 (£7.1k)

As well as three bedrooms and two bathrooms, there's also a large kitchen, a living room and a spacious attic that could be converted into a private master suite. In need of a keen fixer-upper to invest some love into the once-bustling family home, we still think the property is a real bargain. Do you fancy taking it on?
Tudor-style home, Tulia, Texas: $59,999 (£53.3k)

If you have a slightly larger budget, then this adorable home might be the one for you. Located in the city of Tulia, Texas, the Tudor-style property was constructed in 1926 and features a rather enticing exterior with endless kerb appeal.
Tudor-style home, Tulia, Texas: $59,999 (£53.3k)

Listed with Van Pelt Real Estate for a mere $59,999 (£53.3k), the super cute home is also incredibly cheap. Inside, you'll find 1,632 square feet of space, laid out across two floors. There's a large living room, a dining room, a kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Tudor-style home, Tulia, Texas: $59,999 (£53.3k)

Everywhere you look you'll spot amazing time warp touches. While the compact kitchen has seen better days, the mustard and brown shag-pile carpets that can be found throughout the house are beyond retro. There are some plus points, though, including the home's tiled fireplaces, arched doorways and sash windows.
Tudor-style home, Tulia, Texas: $59,999 (£53.3k)

There’s also a spacious and fenced backyard, a covered patio, a detached garage and a single carport. However, the home does need some work and there’s currently no central air or heat—so that's something else you can add to your to-do list!
Smyre-Pasour House, Dallas, North Carolina: $89,000 (£79k)

Built around 1847, this crumbling wood-clad home in Dallas, North Carolina, has seen better days. For sale for just $89,000 (£79k), it's a pretty fixer-upper, but best suited to an ambitious buyer with plenty of renovation experience.
Smyre-Pasour House, Dallas, North Carolina: $89,000 (£79k)

With its 1,947 square feet of interior space in a pretty poor condition, the home is redeemed by its promising original features. The living space, pictured here, offers a traditional brick fireplace. However, the peeling, damp walls would have to be tackled first before any restoration work could get underway.
Smyre-Pasour House, Dallas, North Carolina: $89,000 (£79k)

What once may have been a sizeable bedroom is now an empty shell, with a mouldy ceiling and wood-clad walls in need of serious attention. However, if you can see past these obvious issues, the room could be an attractive space once more, thanks to the large windows and airy proportions.
Smyre-Pasour House, Dallas, North Carolina: $89,000 (£79k)

With a half-finished deck, crumbling roof and piles of rubbish, the back of the house is very much a work in progress. Nevertheless, it could make a peaceful suntrap, once the major structural issues have been taken care of.
Victorian beauty, Battle Creek, Michigan: $109,900 (£97.5k)

With its quaint turret and cornflower-blue exterior, this magnificent Victorian residence sits in the idyllic surrounds of Battle Creek, Michigan. On the market with Troxel Realty for a discounted price of $109,900 (£97.5k), this beautiful piece of architecture is looking for a new owner to take it under their wing.
Victorian beauty, Battle Creek, Michigan: $109,900 (£97.5k)

Handsome woodwork and exquisite fireplaces are found throughout the property, illuminated via sunlight through intricate glasswork and original stained-glass windows. The home is being offered through the Calhoun County Land Bank's 'Transform This Home' programme, where buyers agree to rehab the home within a certain time frame. For more details about this scheme, contact Troxel Realty.
Victorian beauty, Battle Creek, Michigan: $109,900 (£97.5k)

Charming original features can be found within this forgotten gem, including bevelled glass in some rooms, beautiful woodwork and trim throughout, and two fireplaces with rather attractive side pieces. Spanning an approximate 3,500 square feet of living space, we’re sure there are plenty of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Victorian beauty, Battle Creek, Michigan: $109,900 (£97.5k)

There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms in total. There's also a walk-up attic on the top floor that's just waiting to be converted into an additional living area. Roof shingles and decking for the roof were replaced in 2018, so there have been a few updates over the years. We’d love to see how an ambitious new owner returns the home to its former beauty.
Neglected 1920s gem, Saint Matthews, South Carolina: $139,000 (£123k)

Built in 1920, this abandoned three-bedroom Craftsman manse has seen better days, with Mother Nature threatening to reclaim the home. However, despite the trailing vines encircling the property, the listing insists that the property has good bones that were built to last.
Neglected 1920s gem, Saint Matthews, South Carolina: $139,000 (£123k)

With incredible 12-foot-high ceilings and a grand total of six fireplaces, the historic treasure is a steal at $139,000 (£123k). Located in Saint Matthews, South Carolina, across the street from the town’s water tower, the listing peddles the rumour that the property has the "strongest water pressure in town".
Neglected 1920s gem, Saint Matthews, South Carolina: $139,000 (£123k)

Spanning 1,600 square feet of living space, and harbouring some intriguing historical features including original fireplaces and floorboards, there's no shortage of potential here. However, it's clear from the sorry state of the interior that there's plenty of work to do to bring the property up to a habitable standard.
Neglected 1920s gem, Saint Matthews, South Carolina: $139,000 (£123k)

Magnolia and pecan trees pepper the front garden, while the backyard could become a beautiful alfresco living space with a bit of elbow grease. For an ambitious buyer with some renovation experience under their belt, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Characterful duplex, Jacksonville, Florida: $158,900 (£141k)

Over in Jacksonville, Florida, you could bag yourself a characterful duplex for just $158,900 (£141k). On the market with Compass, the quirky home dates back to 1924 and its interior appears not to have been updated much ever since!
Characterful duplex, Jacksonville, Florida: $158,900 (£141k)

The 2,068-square-foot brick home certainly has a lot of potential and is currently split into two units. Each features a spacious family room, a kitchen, an old-fashioned bathroom and two bedrooms. There's also a lovely front porch and a carport for parking.
Characterful duplex, Jacksonville, Florida: $158,900 (£141k)

Clearly the apartments haven't received a lot of love, because they're both very rundown, with crumbling plasterwork and rotting floors. Yet they come with gorgeous windows, vintage light fixtures and brick fireplaces, highlighting how nice the interior could be if given a little love.
Characterful duplex, Jacksonville, Florida: $158,900 (£141k)

The house also features some seriously amazing retro bathrooms—one with sage green walls and the other with an eye-watering pink and yellow theme. The new owner could choose to renovate the apartments and lease them out (or sell them on), or return the property back to a single home. What would you do with the place?
Old schoolhouse, Plymouth, Wisconsin: $217,500 (£193k)

If there’s a part of you that misses the ring of the school bell and recess in the yard, then this property could be the perfect nostalgic investment. The former schoolhouse, located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, is on the market for the A+ price of $217,500 (£193k).
Old schoolhouse, Plymouth, Wisconsin: $217,500 (£193k)

Built in 1900, the historic building expands just 1,008 square feet, but it's full to the brim with lovely features. The main room, for example, boasts 12-foot ceilings and plenty of original schoolhouse fittings, including a wall of chalkboards, built-in bookcases, and even a drinking fountain. The room is also enclosed by nine huge multi-panelled windows.
Old schoolhouse, Plymouth, Wisconsin: $217,500 (£193k)

Other historic elements include the building's exposed brick walls, original wood floors and church-like seating areas. While some of the spaces inside seem to have been restored fairly recently, others have been neglected and are in need of finishing off, like this upstairs room, which could be your new bedroom.
Old schoolhouse, Plymouth, Wisconsin: $217,500 (£193k)

Sitting on a one-acre parcel, the abandoned school could be transformed into a family home, an events venue with plentiful space for a guest car park, or even a quirky holiday home. The choice really is yours!
Historic brick home, Beaver, Utah: $250,000 (£222k)

This amazing and historic home in Beaver, Utah, proves that you don't always need a huge budget in order to buy something grand and impressive. Listed with JD Reese for just $250,000 (£222k), the sprawling spread is almost too good to be true. Let's take a look around...
Historic brick home, Beaver, Utah: $250,000 (£222k)

The pad was built back in 1888 and still features many of its original finishes, but thanks to years of neglect, the property is in serious need of repair works. From its peeling wallpapers and flaking ceilings to the huge damp patches that can be found throughout, the buyer of this house will have to roll up their sleeves.
Historic brick home, Beaver, Utah: $250,000 (£222k)

The beautiful brick home comes complete with an entrance porch, a large kitchen, living and dining rooms, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. From its high ceilings to its brick fireplaces and hand-crafted timber built-ins, there are endless architectural details the new owner should salvage.
Historic brick home, Beaver, Utah: $250,000 (£222k)

The master bedroom even comes equipped with its very own private balcony. Providing plenty of bang for your buck, you'll also gain almost half-an-acre of land and a standalone brick garage that could easily be converted into a home office or rental accommodation. It might need work, but this property is definitely a hidden gem.
Historic townhouse, Cincinnati, Ohio: $285,000 (£253k)

If you're a buyer in Ohio, and want to gain plenty of bang for your buck, then this abandoned townhouse could be the perfect find. Located in the heart of Cincinnati, the historic home is spacious and imposing, although at the moment it's certainly a diamond in the rough…
Historic townhouse, Cincinnati, Ohio: $285,000 (£253k)

The once-grand property dates back to 1879 and spans over 5,000 square feet across four floors. There's an old kitchen, numerous living rooms and seven bedrooms, all kitted out with eye-catching fixtures that the buyer will definitely want to preserve. These include the home's fireplaces, oversized bay windows and natural timber floors.
Historic townhouse, Cincinnati, Ohio: $285,000 (£253k)

There's also a huge basement with nine-foot ceilings and four additional rooms with fireplaces and natural timber floors. With a low asking price, the home could well be worth the investment for an ambitious buyer, but it isn't for the faint of heart.
Historic townhouse, Cincinnati, Ohio: $285,000 (£253k)

Every single room is in a serious state of decay, and it's likely structural work will be required, as well as a complete internal overhaul. As you can see from the photos, there's an abundance of mould, damp and rot throughout. The promising period home is up for grabs with Coldwell Banker Realty for just $285,000 (£253k). Are you up to the task of rescuing it?
Untouched beauty, Chicago, Illinois: $1.8 million (£1.6m)

Built in 1910, this historic home was owned by the same family for over 80 years according to the listing. Now for sale for just under $1.8 million (£1.6m), the unique property has quite the tale to tell. Featuring a grand and imposing exterior, the property has played host to a roster of famous names over the years…
Untouched beauty, Chicago, Illinois: $1.8 million (£1.6m)

Sited in Hyde Park, a prime location within Chicago, Illinois, the four-bedroom renovation project was reportedly once home to Italian physicist Enrico Fermi and authors Saul Bellow and Norman Maclean, among others. It's not surprising then that this is one house with real grandeur, even given its current state of neglect.
Untouched beauty, Chicago, Illinois: $1.8 million (£1.6m)

The original hardwood flooring, woodwork, doorways and layout have been left untouched, while a grand entranceway leads you towards room upon room of peeling paintwork. Steeped in potential, the home's high ceilings and light-filled spaces could have their fortunes revived once more in the hands of an experienced renovator.
Untouched beauty, Chicago, Illinois: $1.8 million (£1.6m)

One of three, this vintage bathroom boasts characterful curved ceilings above the bath area, cream tiling, and mint green accent paintwork. There's even plumbing available for a fourth bathroom in the basement below, while the third-floor attic could be transformed into an additional living area. It’s hard to resist this Chicago beauty!
Entire island, Dayton, Montana: $72 million (£64m)

Are you looking for the ultimate abandoned home far away from the crowds? Then this huge project property on Cromwell Island might be just what you’re looking for. For $72 million (£64m) you could own the entire island, including the enormous main home and guest villa. Construction on the main property started in the 1990s when the current owner and her late husband purchased the plot. The building works continued for a decade, before the couple moved elsewhere.
Entire island, Dayton, Montana: $72 million (£64m)

The villa was originally designed to emulate 16th-century French architecture, and as such, even though it remains unfinished, the 45,000-square-foot building radiates grandiosity. A true investment, this home was built to last, and the concrete shell case was reinforced with epoxy-coated rebar. Now the building sits empty, waiting for a new owner to breathe life into this astonishing piece of architecture.
Entire island, Dayton, Montana: $72 million (£64m)

The space is laid out as a three- or four-bedroom home with nine bathrooms, but the incomplete nature of the property means there is plenty of flexibility when it comes to the floor plan. Imagine what you could do with all that space! And this isn’t just a villa, the entire island is also included in the price. Cromwell Island sits on Flathead Lake, which provides a dramatic backdrop to the villa. Larger than Lake Tahoe, this body of water spans almost 200 square miles.
Entire island, Dayton, Montana: $72 million (£64m)

Staircases in the main entrance are inspired by the hanging staircase in the Nathaniel Russell House in South Carolina, while a helical staircase takes visitors up to the north tower. The guest villa is all but complete, and just awaits finishing touches to transform it into a cosy living space. The property could also double up as a caretaker’s residence. Travel is mostly by boat; accordingly, this property comes with five slips ready to accommodate every kind of seaworthy vessel up to a 70-foot yacht.
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