Welcome to the magical world of Cheap Old Houses, where the new American dream comes with zero mortgage and an affordable lifestyle fit for a storybook. We’ve scoured the country to find homes in desperate need of saving—including a $45,000 Victorian in Mississippi, a $25,000 mansion in Indiana, an $82,000 recreational camp in Maine, and more. Cheap Old Houses features the stories of how these homes were acquired and lovingly restored.
Within these pages, you’ll discover sprawling Victorian mansions, Italianate–style farmhouses, off–the–beaten–path cabins, and even old churches, schoolhouses and hydropower stations turned into residences. You’ll meet a couple who camped out on their back porch while they made their 6,000–square foot manor livable, and homeowners who found a free bungalow and moved it seventy miles to their property. Additionally, we give information on the details to preserve in historical houses, from pocket doors that might be hiding in the walls to badly cracked plaster walls that are worth repairing and butler’s pantries that are once again desirable for storing dishes and small appliances.
With hundreds of beautiful photographs capturing these homes in all their glory, you’ll be inspired to find “the one”—a fixer upper to rescue that will rescue you right back.
Want a copy personally signed by Elizabeth & Ethan?
Click here
Welcome to the magical world of Cheap Old Houses, where the new American dream comes with zero mortgage and an affordable lifestyle fit for a storybook. We’ve scoured the country to find homes in desperate need of saving—including a $45,000 Victorian in Mississippi, a $25,000 mansion in Indiana, an $82,000 recreational camp in Maine, and more. Cheap Old Houses features the stories of how these homes were acquired and lovingly restored.
Want a copy personally signed by Elizabeth & Ethan?
Click here
“A first-of-its-kind book written by and for people
who cherish the raw beauty of old houses.”
“A first-of-its-kind book written by and for people who cherish the raw beauty of old houses.”
“Influencers of the Year” at Landmarks Illinois’ 2025 Preservation Forward Awards
We’re thrilled to announce that Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein will be honored at the 2025 Preservation Forward event hosted by Landmarks Illinois! Join them on March 6, 2025, at The Old Post Office in Chicago for an evening dedicated to celebrating preservation champions.
Elizabeth and Ethan’s passion for saving historic homes has sparked a nationwide movement, inspiring thousands to see the beauty and potential in old houses. Come be part of this special night celebrating their work and impact.
“Influencers of the Year” at Landmarks Illinois’ 2025 Preservation Forward Awards
We’re thrilled to announce that Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein will be honored at the 2025 Preservation Forward event hosted by Landmarks Illinois! Join them on March 6, 2025, at The Old Post Office in Chicago for an evening dedicated to celebrating preservation champions.
Elizabeth and Ethan’s passion for saving historic homes has sparked a nationwide movement, inspiring thousands to see the beauty and potential in old houses. Come be part of this special night celebrating their work and impact.
Want Elizabeth and Ethan to speak or attend your event? Email [email protected] to learn more.
From the founders of the HGTV show and viral Instagram feed Cheap Old Houses comes a stunning collection of beautiful, affordable homes and inspiration for buying and restoring an historic house. Elizabeth + Ethan Finkelstein started the Instagram account @cheapoldhouses in 2016 and have since grown the brand into a show on HGTV and a cultural movement that has helped thousands of people find and restore their own pieces of heaven. Elizabeth has a master’s degree in historic preservation, and for their work both she and Ethan received a Pillar of New York Award from the Preservation League of New York State. They’ve been featured widely in such publications as New York Magazine, Architectural Digest, The Financial Times, Forbes, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider, and on programs such as The Drew Barrymore Show, Today and Good Morning America. They live with their son and rescue dog in upstate New York, where they are restoring their own cheap old farmhouse.
From the founders of the HGTV show and viral Instagram feed Cheap Old Houses comes a stunning collection of beautiful, affordable homes and inspiration for buying and restoring an historic house. Elizabeth + Ethan Finkelstein started the Instagram account @cheapoldhouses in 2016 and have since grown the brand into a show on HGTV and a cultural movement that has helped thousands of people find and restore their own pieces of heaven. Elizabeth has a master’s degree in historic preservation, and for their work both she and Ethan received a Pillar of New York Award from the Preservation League of New York State. They’ve been featured widely in such publications as New York Magazine, Architectural Digest, The Financial Times, Forbes, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider, and on programs such as The Drew Barrymore Show, Today and Good Morning America. They live with their son and rescue dog in upstate New York, where they are restoring their own cheap old farmhouse.
“One of my favorite things about it is not just the homes… but all the takeaways. There’s so much direction on, like, ‘If you love this, here’s where you can find it,’ and ‘If you want to try this, here’s how to do it.'” – Drew Barrymore
“One of my favorite things about it is not just the homes… but all the takeaways. There’s so much direction on, like, ‘If you love this, here’s where you can find it,’ and ‘If you want to try this, here’s how to do it.'” – Drew Barrymore
