Is buying a Cheap Old House in your childhood town one of your unspoken dreams?
“Oh my god, they featured a house in Evansville!” – Melissa
Is buying a Cheap Old House in your childhood town one of your unspoken dreams?
For Melissa Falconett, it definitely was. More specifically, a house inside the historic district of Evansville, Indiana, where she grew up. Stars definitely aligned in 2020 when Melissa caught sight of our listing on Cheap Old Houses for the Eugene Brady House. “Oh my god, they featured a house in Evansville!” It was soon purchased for $105,000.
This house is unique, right down to the rare boxed eaves that border the gambrel roofline of this circa 1897 Queen Anne style American Foursquare. Also, it’s pink. Like really pink. But aside from its characteristic exterior, the 2,000-square-foot of interiors feature remarkable touches of the past like beautiful stained glass windows and stunning woodwork.
That’s not to say it didn’t need an overhaul. But Melissa and Fabian had worked on houses before and knew that it would take time, patience and a lot of problem solving. Initially, it had two barely functioning bathrooms. There was an unusual mural at the base of the stairs. Rodents infested the outdated kitchen and there were five different layers of material underfoot there, too. “Someone had at one point converted the house into two units. So they had created a false doorway at the top of the stairs to make that into the second unit. And then the upstairs bedrooms were all covered in wood paneling,” says Melissa.
The journey took exactly four years, says Melissa, who documented the home’s transformation on her Instagram at @pinkhouserevival. Melissa loves that she had an amazing full-circle moment and could do something in a place she cherishes so much. “There’s just a great community in Evansville, with beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets. It’s just a really special place.”
Melissa and Fabian’s story is a reminder of why we do this, not just to rescue these amazing domiciles, but also to keep the architecture of these historic neighborhoods intact as they should be! Old homes in small towns across America are literally the fabric of this country–and homes like the Eugene Brady house aren’t being built anymore. Melissa says the house looks like it’s wearing a bonnet. How wonderful is it to save something so original and different?
Melissa and Fabian’s journey is exactly why I wrote Cheap Old Houses—for dreamers, for believers, and for those who feel an undeniable pull to save a home that speaks to their soul.
Melissa + Fabian, your dream is now a reality, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way!
If you’ve ever thought about saving an old house—or just need a little inspiration—pick up a copy of the Cheap Old Houses book and dive in. I promise, stories like this will remind you that sometimes, the thing that will change your life might be hiding in plain sight. 💛 Now go find a great listing on Cheap Old Houses and send it to a childhood friend who *gets* you and your love of old houses.
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