It’s safe to say that all property fanatics have, at some point, dreamt about taking on a dramatic restoration project. So if it's time you turned fantasy to reality, these abandoned beauties are sure to kick all the right boxes. Located across America, and boasting remarkable price tags, these historic homes have charm and potential in equal measure. From a stunning stone mansion in Philadelphia, to a classic Craftsman in coastal Oregon, these derelict dwellings are just waiting to be rescued...

Talk about a dirt-cheap fixer-upper. With a price tag that's almost too good to be true, Thomas Reynolds House lies in the Warrenton National Register District of North Carolina. The torn down timber home is in need of a complete overhaul, but with an asking price of just $16,500 (£13k) there's plenty of room for improvement. Also known as Reynolds Tavern, the Boom Era property was built sometime in the early 19th century and is thought to have belonged to the prominent cabinet-maker, Thomas Reynolds, who made Warrenton his home in 1804. 

While some reports claim that Reynolds lived in the property, others indicate that it served as the local watering hole. Inside, the 1,290-square-foot building offers plenty of 19th century charm, including quaint roof dormers, sash windows, timber door surrounds, boxed eaves and a large stuccoed chimney, that given a little attention could easily be brought back to their former glory. While the façade has been remodelled, the rear of the building maintains much of its original character.

With bags of potential, this house also comes with another perk. The town of Warrenton offers revitalisation and economic development incentives, to entice buyers to rescue its historic dwellings. As well as a restoration loan program, it also offers lucky homeowners redevelopment grants, to assist them with the costs associated with extensive renovations. If all this wasn't enough to persuade you to invest, the period property is also eligible for tax credits! 

Abandoned for some 40 years, Jabez Abell farmhouse in Cazenovia, New York would have been a fine Italianate-style property back in its heyday. But four decades alone has taken its toll on the once handsome structure. Given its derelict state, the property has been valued at the building lot.

Listed for £27,500 (£22k), it's not known if the original 1870 structure can be restored in its entirety, so this project might be best left to a professional builder or someone with a decent budget. Even if the property itself can’t be saved, it’s packed to the rafters with original features that could be salvaged and reused in a rebuild. Luckily, the property qualifies for both federal and state grants or tax breaks to undertake the restoration process.

Our favourite feature of the bunch is this rather ornate looking two-level staircase, but there's also original wood, doors and plenty more gems to be found among the wreckage. The three-bedroom property is sat on a 0.75-acre plot, making this a great option for a family home. Well, once it’s been restored or rebuilt!

This Victorian house is located in Duplin County – the centre of North Carolina’s wine industry. Priced at $39,000 (£31k), Barnett Carr was originally built as a two-room home in the early 19th century, with extra rooms and a second storey added in the mid 1800s. In the late 19th century, further additions were made, adding two more rooms upstairs and the Victorian porches, which is the configuration that exists today

As the house has been empty for years, it needs a complete renovation, including structural work to the porches and repairs to the roof. However, if you're not afraid of a little elbow grease, this diamond in the rough could make a beautiful family home.

Once an attorney’s office, this Italianate house in Eaton, Ohio which is priced at a reasonable $50,000 (£40k) has since served as a single-family home and duplex. And while it was built in 1877, there's still a lot of life left in this stunning home. We particularly admire the prim brickwork and ornate detailing around the windows. 

Set over three storeys, this historic farmhouse in Strasburg, Virginia has plenty of room to make a gorgeous family home. But while the $59,900 (£48k) price tag is budget-friendly, it's worth noting you'll need to be a cash buyer or have a rehab loan in order to put in an offer on this house.

Built in 1850, the property benefits from three good sized bedrooms, along with plenty of living space. However, it looks like damp is a big issue here, so this fixer-upper project isn't for the faint-hearted. Heading outside, the farmhouse is sat on 7,143-square-feet of land and benefits from an attached garage.

While there is a kitchen and a bathroom already installed, both rooms need updating. With that said, the millennial pink in the bathroom is technically on trend. Perhaps you could incorporate a splash of the shade in the new bathroom, as a homage to the past. Blush pink metro tiles, anyone?

Found in the heart of Brunswick's Old Town Historic District, this late-Victorian house which is priced at $60,000 (£49k) was designed by renowned architect George Franklin Barber. Built around 1900, the exterior features typical Barber design details, from bold brick chimneys to ornamental brickwork.

The home's attractive coastal spot is a big draw to the area, however, buyers will have their work cut out. Many of the property's windows have been broken or removed, and the interior requires serious attention. Nevertheless, this handsome home could be a fulfilling project for an ambitious buyer.

For the budget-conscious, this striking Victorian property is a wonder to behold. Oozing individual character, the one-of-a-kind home dates back to 1885 and is currently listed for sale with McColly Bennett Real Estate for just $69,900 (£55k). The lucky new owner of this eye-catching abode will receive plenty for their money, thanks to the home's 3,688-square-foot interior and beautiful 1.25-acre garden.

Located a stone's throw from the centre of Momence, Illinois, this property benefits from being secluded on its own plot, while also being within easy reach of the area's amenities. Listed 'as-is', the new owner will need to put in a fair amount of elbow grease to bring this historic home back to its former glory, yet the effort is guaranteed to be worthwhile. Every room boasts high ceilings, ornate fireplaces, beautiful crown moldings and unique woodwork, as well as oversized Victorian windows.

Nine grand rooms are laid out over four spacious floors. There are currently five bedrooms and two bathrooms, while an unusual spiral staircase leads up to the top level, where a turreted cupola lies, waiting to be transformed into a stunning reading nook or a dramatic office space. There's also a basement that could easily be converted into a stand-alone apartment or an additional living area. With endless possibilities, this marvellous piece of real estate is just begging to be loved.

If you're looking to bag a bargain in Wellsville, Ohio, then this quaint turn-of-the-century Colonial home could be right up your street. For sale with Frank Kostik of Hardcastle Realty for a mere $69,900 (£55k), the house was constructed in 1900 and benefits from a garden overlooking the Ohio River. As well as a striking timber façade, the pretty property also features two idyllic porches that add real character to its exterior.

Inside this fixer-upper, you'll find 3,152 square feet of space to play with, including three reception rooms, seven bedrooms and two bathrooms, all waiting to be brought back to life. Laid out over three spacious floors, the house is primed and ready to be reshaped as you see fit. There's also a stand-alone two-car garage that could do with some attention, as well as a full basement ready to be converted into something extraordinary.

Throughout there are plenty of original details that help make this abode shine. From period staircases to decorative fireplaces and pocket doors, the lucky new owner of this magical house is guaranteed a one-of-a-kind finish. Giving you one less thing to worry about, the home's windows and electrics have been recently updated, meaning that only aesthetic touches are needed to bring this building back up to scratch.

If you're seeking a total blank canvas to completely transform as you choose, then this property could well be for you. Located a stone's throw from the banks of the Columbia River in the coastal city of Astoria, Oregon, this classic Craftsman enjoys a prominent position on an elevated plot, allowing for uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean.

Available through Estately for a very reasonable $199,000 (£158k), the fabulous farmhouse was built in 1912 and features an attractive 5,227-square-foot garden. While the exterior offers plenty of period appeal, including a pitched roof, a quaint front porch and original windows that have been lovingly restored by a local craftsman, the interior has been gutted to its studs. With spacious rooms and plenty of natural light, this unique farmhouse offers bags of development opportunities.

The historic Craftsman is formed from natural timber and boasts 1,440 square feet of interior space over three roomy floors. While the basement is unfinished, the remaining two levels are ready for a dramatic makeover. The extensive attic space would make for a dreamy master bedroom, thanks to its beautiful roof line and ample windows. Currently set up with two bedrooms and one bathroom, this shell of a home could be anything you want it to be. 

If you have a slightly larger budget to play with, then Greylock Mansion might just be the unbelievably expensive abandoned home of your dreams. Listed with Compass for $2 million (£1.6m), this property offers plenty of bang for your buck. Standing proud at 16,581 square feet, the prestigious pad offers 25 oversized rooms as well as a vast, seven-acre garden. Bordering the exceptional landscape of Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this magnificent dwelling is almost too good to be true.

Described by Compass as a "stone masterpiece", the French Victorian house was built in 1909 by the steel magnate, Henry A Laughlin, who quarried stone from on site, to complete the elegant façade. Covering 16,500 square feet of inside space, Greylock Mansion comprises of eight bedroom, four full and four half bathrooms. When you enter the property, you'll be welcomed by marble tiled floors, a grand hall and a sweeping white marble staircase decorated with original ironwork. 

Despite its rundown state, the abode still feels luxurious, thanks to its vast living spaces that overlook its sweeping lawns. With some TLC, the home's ornate fireplaces and glorious hardwood floors could be returned to their former splendour. Elsewhere, there's also a huge basement, a 4,500-square-foot carriage house and a large exterior patio – the perfect spot for watching the world go by. Offering an abundance of design possibilities, this marvellous mansion ticks all the right boxes.

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