The Blog

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Finding, Restoring, and Budgeting for a Cheap Old House
Embarking on the journey of finding and restoring a cheap old house can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. With the right approach, you can turn a charming fixer-upper into your dream home. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this exciting venture. Step 1: Define Your Goals Before you start your search, take some time to think about what you want from your old house. Consider the following: Step 2: Set Your Budget Creating a budget is crucial. Here’s how to break it down: Step 3: Start Your Search Now that you......
Discovering Affordable Homes: Top 10 Websites for Cheap Houses in Italy
Here are ten websites that can help you find Cheap Houses in Italy....
Top 10 Websites for Cheap Houses in France
Here are ten websites that can help you find Cheap Houses in Europe....
Outfitting a Room with Secondhand Furniture
The biggest challenge in restoring the church for Cristiana + Nick was figuring out how to furnish the space with beautiful pieces that match the scale and grandeur of the space while also being extremely affordable, considering all the restoration work that was necessary to do and would eat through the budget completely....
The Chandelier that Stole the Show in Nick + Cristiana’s Church
What's more daunting than turning a firehouse — later a Town Hall and court — into a welcoming home? Turning its warren of municipal offices into a spacious, functional kitchen! READY, SET... It's before + after time!...
On the Bigger Pockets Podcast
Would you buy a house for $100K? That’s right, just twenty-five percent of the median home price in America! On one of our favorite podcasts, we got the chance to lend our expert advice on what to DIY vs. hire out, which old pieces to keep, the best way for beginners to get started with little money, and the decades that built the BEST houses!...
Wallpapered Ceilings in Victorian Houses
What's one trend we definitely need to bring back, especially if restoring a home from 1885? Wallpaper on the ceiling! ...
How We Uncovered This House From Behind a Jungle!
We were up against years (decades?) of deferred landscaping in Worcester, NY. But trust us when we say that behind those vines and beyond that foot-tall grass and under those branches, there’s a Queen Anne charmer just waiting to breathe again!...
A New Roof for Meghan and Enrique’s Gigantic Queen Anne
The house was stunning with original c. 1885 details inside and out! The roof, however, was tragic! Massively deferred maintenance had left this house vulnerable, something we had to address as part of our overall restoration and renovation plan for Meghan and Enrique....
Before + After: Transforming an Office Space into a Moody Kitchen!
What's more daunting than turning a firehouse — later a Town Hall and court — into a welcoming home? Turning its warren of municipal offices into a spacious, functional kitchen! READY, SET... It's before + after time!...
How We Revived a Victorian Storefront with Flowers
The nursery at Mettowee Mint, in Dorset, VT, is a magical place, fragrant with seasonal blooms and always bursting with colors. When the paint had dried and it was time to complete the exterior transformation of Bill and Joe’s former firehouse into a home, the Cheap Old Houses team wanted to borrow a bit of that Vermont magic. One call to Sarah Linford of Mettowee Mint, and we had a plan!...
Our Favorite Place to Buy Reproduction Lighting for Old Houses
Stepping into Authentic Designs, family-owned lighting designers for three generations, in West Rupert, VT, you’re overwhelmed by the absolutely beautiful pieces that Michael Krauss and his team have created....
How to Remove Paint from Historical Tin Panels
In the premiere episode of our HGTV series Who's Afraid of a Cheap Old House, Bill and Joe fell in love with an old firehouse. Inside, the gorgeous, historical tin panels that had been caked in multiple layers of paint that was peeling off. We are so grateful for the partnership of SpongeJet, who helped us remove the old paint safely and effectively!...
Unraveling the Rural Boom: Understanding the Surge in House Prices After the Pandemic
In the wake of the global pandemic, a fascinating and somewhat unexpected trend emerged in the real estate market—house prices in rural areas experienced a significant increase. Let's delve into contributing factors....
Achieving Financial Independence: The Untold Benefits of Buying a Cheap Old House
In the pursuit of financial independence, unconventional paths often lead to unexpected rewards. One such avenue gaining popularity is the journey of buying a cheap old house—a unique approach that not only frees individuals from the burden of a mortgage but also opens doors to sustainable living....
How to Remove Old Paint From Your Woodwork
Does your Cheap Old House have gorgeous wood details covered in layers and layers of old paint? Removing paint from intricate mantels and woodwork is absolutely possible, but it requires careful attention to avoid damaging the details and delicate surfaces. Here's a step-by-step guide to help tackle the project and reveal that woodwork in all its glory....
Ethan and Elizabeth Return to HGTV in New “Cheap Old Houses” Series
Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein Return to HGTV in New Series — And They Need Your Help!...
Steps to Consider When Restoring an Old House
Restoring and fixing up an old house will probably be one of the most rewarding projects of your lifetime....

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Cheap Old Houses

Ethan and Elizabeth Return to HGTV in New “Cheap Old Houses” Series

Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein Return to HGTV in New Series — And They Need Your Help!

Pros and Cons: Buying a Cheap Old House vs. a Half-Million Dollar House with a Mortgage

When it comes to buying a house, there are various factors to consider when deciding whether to buy an old house up front or take out a mortgage on a newer home. Let's discuss!

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Finding, Restoring, and Budgeting for a Cheap Old House

Embarking on the journey of finding and restoring a cheap old house can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. With the right approach, you can turn a charming fixer-upper into your dream home. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this exciting venture. Step 1: Define Your Goals Before you start your search, take some time to think about what you want from your old house. Consider the following: Step 2: Set Your Budget Creating a budget is crucial. Here’s how to break it down: Step 3: Start Your Search Now that you...

Discovering Affordable Homes: Top 10 Websites for Cheap Houses in Italy

Here are ten websites that can help you find Cheap Houses in Italy.

Top 10 Websites for Cheap Houses in France

Here are ten websites that can help you find Cheap Houses in Europe.