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 timber cottage in Iowa to a 19th-century gem in Texas, click or scroll on to browse the best abandoned buildings on the market across America – all with serious potential. These tumbledown treasures are just waiting to be rescued...

A fantastic opportunity for a first-time buyer looking to get a foot on the property ladder, this quaint timber home in Ayrshire, Iowa, is currently up for grabs for just $15,500 (£12k). Roll up your sleeves though, because this pad needs some work...

Available with Iowa Realty, the historic home dates back to 1888 and boasts a 2,044-square-foot interior, comprising of four bedrooms, one bathroom, a lounge, dining room and kitchen. Outside, you'll find a 0.35-acre garden, providing additional space for development.

Most of the home's original woodwork is in great shape, and inside you'll find a stunning open staircase, large pocket doors and an array of built-in units just waiting to be rescued. However, any buyers should bear in mind that the structure has sustained some water damage so this old house will need a major renovation throughout. 

If you're a buyer in Kentucky working with a tight budget, then this abandoned old house could be the perfect find. Located in the city of Hickman, the historic home is spacious and pretty, although at the moment it's certainly a diamond in the rough…

The once-grand property offers a 2,336-square-foot interior, with a living room, kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There's also over half an acre of land outside. There are plenty of eye-catching fixtures that the buyer will want to preserve too, from the home's fireplaces to its oversized windows and natural timber floors. But be warned, lead-based paint has been found inside, which would need to be handled with care.

With a mere $29,900 (£23k) asking price, this timber home could well be worth the investment for an ambitious buyer. Yet despite its low asking price, this extreme fixer-upper isn't for the faint of heart. 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. If you're up to the challenge, BEX Realty has all the details you need.

Got $39,900 (£30k) going spare? Then this stunning Victorian residence could soon belong to you. Located in the village of Franklin Grove, Illinois, the abandoned historic home was completed in 1886 and comes with its own spacious, leafy garden.

With bags of kerb appeal, the house offers a generous 2,288 square feet of inside space. The interior includes a lounge, dining room, kitchen, five bedrooms and a single bathroom. Key original details include hardwood flooring, sash windows and pretty beaded wainscotting, which could make stunning focal points once they're restored. 

There's also a two-car garage that could be converted into an additional living area. The home is being sold as-is and although it's in need of some TLC – and a fair amount of elbow grease – it could really be something special. On the market with Compass, this highly affordable fixer-upper won't be around for long.

With splendour, style and space in bucket loads, this elegant Victorian residence can be found in Lowpoint, Illinois, and is on the market with The Bassford Team for just $57,000 (£43k) – but since it's been up for sale for over six months, you could be in with a chance of obtaining a further discount.

The turn-of-the-century home was constructed in 1902 and features a fairytale-esque exterior, complete with a turreted tower and wraparound porch. Step inside and you'll find 2,348 square feet of space spread across two floors.

The house comes kitted out with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large living room, a formal dining room, a spacious kitchen with a breakfast bar, a lofted area upstairs and a garage outside. Throughout the home, you'll find plenty of beautiful period fixtures, including original timber detailing, hardwood floors, a sweeping carved staircase, stained-glass windows, characterful built-ins and ornamental light fixtures.

Priced at just $59,900 (£45k), this spacious riverfront property is affordable and highly attractive. Sitting on a picturesque 28,380-square-foot lot in the village of Cattaraugus, New York, the eye-catching residence dates back to 1900 and has all the hallmarks of a dream home...

The rundown home offers a generous 2,048-square-foot interior. While the first floor features a living room, formal dining room, office, bathroom, large eat-in kitchen, bedroom and laundry room, the second storey has four large bedrooms. 

The abandoned house features numerous historic details throughout, all of which are worth preserving if possible. From large sash windows to original woodwork, fireplaces and timber floors, the pad certainly has its plus points. The spacious two-storey dwelling even boasts a new roof, which would make the renovation work that little bit easier (and cheaper). If you're up to the task, then Compass has all the information you need.

If you think you will never be able to afford to buy a home of your own, then think again. For sale with the Greater Syracuse Land Bank for just $60,000 (£45k), this property is a real steal.

Located in the city of Syracuse in New York State, the ultra-cheap house benefits from a 1,872-square-foot interior with four bedrooms and one bathroom. The house offers two floors decked out with leaded glass windows, original built-ins, natural woodwork and brick fireplaces.

The pad also comes with 9,670 square feet of exterior space, providing opportunities for extension. The Greater Syracuse Land Bank had earlier estimated the home's renovation costs to be in the region of $141,000 (£106k), and potential buyers need to show proof of funds in order to purchase the property. 

Another highly affordable option is this large Victorian home in Calera, Alabama. Listed with RE/MAX for a mere $69,900 (£53k), the building was constructed in 1885 and is overflowing with period charm.

Outside, you'll find 0.29 acres of land, while inside there's 3,662 square feet of living space. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and numerous family spaces, such as a kitchen, lounge and dining room. There's even a characterful front porch, where you could soak up the afternoon sun.

The abandoned period property has plenty of pretty fixtures that are ripe for restoration, including hardwood floors, original fireplaces, high ceilings and large sash windows. It's clear that the property hasn't been touched for many years and every single room needs to be completely upgraded in order to bring it back to its former glory. Yet with the right amount of TLC, this once-beautiful home could be amazing once more.

Being able to afford a 3,184-square-foot home might seem like a dream out of reach for many, but that's where dilapidated homes can offer a budget-friendly route onto the property ladder. This residence, located in the city of Hickman, Kentucky, could be yours for just $75,000 (£57k) – all you need is a contingency fund for some relatively low-key repairs. 

Dating back to 1927, the spacious abandoned house spans two floors and boasts an attractive four-acre garden that's just waiting to be put to good use. Step through the front door and you'll find a large entrance hall with an original timber staircase, a lounge, a dining room, five bedrooms and two bathrooms. With high ceilings and old brick fireplaces throughout, this property has plenty of selling points.

While some of the rooms appear to be in a fairly decent condition, others are falling apart at the seams, like this vintage kitchen with statement red floral wallpaper that's in need of attention.  Still, with an abundance of space and such a low price tag, this extreme fixer-upper shows plenty of promise. If you're keen to take on the project, the house is currently up for grabs via Arnold Realty Group.

Over in Texas, you could get your hands on a one-of-a-kind home for as little as $85,000 (£64k). The abandoned property can be found in Gonzales, one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in the state, and sits on a 0.21-acre lot surrounded by lush greenery. What's more, it lies just minutes from the area's historic Main Street, which looks like it's been plucked straight from the Wild West.

The spacious spread is available via Graham Team Realtors and was built in 1910, meaning there are lots of eye-catching original fixtures to restore. From the home's imposing exterior with its ornate columns to the natural hardwood floors, original timber staircase and fireplaces, there's much to admire about this property. Yet much work would be needed to make the house suitable for modern living.

The interior spans 3,028 square foot and offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen, a lounge and dining area. The home also comes equipped with an unfinished basement, which can be accessed via a hidden door in the floor and is the same square footage as the level above. Outside, there's even an old barn that could be transformed into an annex or rental opportunity. With space and period features in abundance, this abandoned building is sure to be snapped up quickly.

Nestled in the town of Waldoboro, Maine, this abandoned family residence has space, seclusion and character in abundance. Priced at just $129,000 (£97k), the 2,078-square-foot property also comes complete with a spacious garden and a quaint little porch, meaning this pad offers plenty of kerb appeal.

For sale with Coldwell Banker Realty, the spacious two-storey home was built in 1860 and consists of a ground floor kitchen, formal dining room and family room, kitted out with hardwood floors, original sash windows, built-ins and brick fireplaces. Other architectural features include the home's stained-glass elements and elegant staircase banister.

Head up to the second floor and you’ll find four bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as plenty of space for a home office. Over the years, the home has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a church office. The new owner could potentially transform the property into a duplex, or create a stunning family home. Despite being rundown, the bones of this pad are solid and with just a little TLC, we’re sure it could be transformed into a truly exceptional property.

Nestled in the Hopewell Township of New Jersey, this abandoned farmhouse offers space and seclusion. Priced at just $129,900 (£98k), the 2,808-square-foot property also comes complete with over two acres of land, meaning this pad offers plenty of development opportunities. 

For sale with Compass, the spacious two-storey home was built in 1790 and consists of a ground-floor kitchen, formal dining room and family room, all kitted out with hardwood floors, original sash windows and brick fireplaces. There's also an enclosed porch overlooking the front yard, which is the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee.

An open staircase leads up to the second floor, where you’ll find three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a home office. There’s also a two-car garage outside. Despite being rundown, the bones of this pad are solid and with just a little TLC, it could make an exceptional family home.

Quaint, colourful and bursting with charm, this historic home in Augusta, Georgia, is waiting to be brought back to life. Constructed in 1881, it stands proud at 3,593 square feet and boasts all the hallmarks of a beautiful historic home.

Step through the front door and you'll find grand interior spaces filled with natural light. Every room offers 14-foot ceilings and countless windows, while other architectural details include original glass tiles, hardwood floors and decorative fireplaces. The property was converted into a duplex at one time, but the renovations were never finished, so quite a bit of work would be needed to turn the building back into a single family home.

Across the three-storey house, you'll find a total of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as plenty of living rooms and a kitchen. There's also a sprawling  5,227-square-foot garden. All this could be yours for just $189,000 (£142k). Zillow has the details. 

This once-grand residence is in need of some serious TLC to restore its southern charm. The property can be found in the city of Independence in Kentucky and offers a half-acre garden as well as a generous 4,236-square-foot interior and a partial basement.

Known as The Oxley, the building was built around 1847 and it seems to have been untouched since then. Many of the rooms boast period features that are in desperate need of restoring, such as solid black walnut doors, etched glass windows, timber floors and brick fireplaces. There's even a large front porch and a second-floor balcony where you could kick back and watch the world go by...

Considered to be a New Orleans-inspired property, the house is currently arranged with four bedrooms but has no electricity, heating, plumbing or bathrooms, meaning a lot of work would be required to bring the house into the 21st century. The Oxley is listed with Century 21 for $200,000 (£151k), but act quickly as we're sure it won't be around for long!

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