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Artist’s 226-Year-Old Maine Home Lists for Just $80K—With Original Wall Murals Still Intact
Jun
An adorable and oh-so-affordable Maine dwelling that sits a mere 5-minute walk from the nearest beach has hit the market for just $80,000—having served for the past five decades as a “creative workspace” for a beloved local artist.
Located in Eastport, ME, near the Canadian border, the two-bedroom residence with distant water views of Harris Cove still boasts artist Elizabeth Ostrander‘s original works of art throughout, pieces that she conceived during the 50 years she spent living and working in the space, which was previously known as the Ostrander Studio Gallery & Sculpture Garden.
While the property “is in need of major renovation, repairs, vision, and restoration, both inside and out” and is being sold as is, the Cape-style residence could easily serve as the foundation for an idyllic beach retreat, a lucrative short-term rental, or, perhaps, another artist’s studio.
With so much potential, it seems only right that the unique abode has sculpted a place for itself at the top of the week’s most popular homes list.
Built in 1800, the 1,167-square-foot structure boasts a first floor lined with mermaid and fish murals, ceilings painted like the sky, and a full bathroom with custom art adorning the tub/shower.
Sadly, the “once admired gardens have become overgrown” since 2024, when the dwelling was vacated. However, this gives a future buyer the opportunity to “thoughtfully” revive them.
Other properties grabbing attention this week are an affordably priced Florida cabin with a private dock and boathouse with lift; a custom-built, earth-sheltered bunker in Virginia; and an inexpensive container home in Colorado.
10. 302 Wiley Ave, Donalsonville, GA
Price: $309,000
Why it’s here: It’s a five-bedroom residence with nine fireplaces and an indoor pool tucked away on 2.52 acres of privacy.
Built in 1943, the 4,064-square-foot house still features custom millwork, built-ins, original hardwood floors, and upstairs bedrooms with in-suite sink/vanities. A guest suite can be found on the lower level, which also boasts the enclosed pool with a built-in cook area, two full bathrooms, and changing closets.
The inexpensive price tag will allow a buyer the opportunity to restore this “grand southern home.”
Mills L. Brock of 3 Rivers Realty is the listing agent.
9. 11 Hidden Lake Trl, Plummer, ID
Price: $374,900
Why it’s here: It’s a float home on Hidden Lake tucked between the entrance to Lake Coeur d’Alene and the St. Joe River.
Offering panoramic lakefront views from a wraparound sunroom, the two-bedroom home comes with a spacious sundeck with a slide and a personal boathouse. New vinyl windows were recently installed, and the property is equipped with a modern mini-split system for heating and air conditioning. It is being offered fully furnished.
According to the listing, a “secure lease through 2044 includes 30 feet of depth of land from the shoreline for additional amenities like a storage shed or fire pit.”
Angela Carpenter Foisy of Latah Realty is the listing agent.
8. 1454 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL
Price: $6,000,000
Why it’s here: Built in 1889, this six-bedroom estate in the prestigious Gold Coast enclave is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After a meticulous two-year renovation, the 11,000-square-foot interior features a first floor with 14-foot tinted and gilded plaster ceilings. An expanded chef’s kitchen has bespoke cabinetry, black and white checkered stone floors, and marble countertops.
Historic details include preserved hardwood floors, dual staircases, custom millwork, restored doors and hardware, bay windows, built-in bookcases, and five fireplaces. Modernizations offer an elevator, 4.5 updated bathrooms, an expanded primary suite with a dressing room, soaking tub, and secondary laundry. The two-car garage has an updated one-bedroom coach house.
A sun-soaked solarium overlooks the English garden. A rooftop terrace designed for entertaining has living and dining areas providing lake and skyline views.
Kathleen Malone of Compass is the listing agent.
7. 1829 Collins Landing Rd, Tallahassee, FL
Price: $465,000
Why it’s here: It’s an affordably priced cabin on Lake Talquin that comes with a private dock and boathouse with a lift.
Built in 1957, the three-bedroom retreat offers the next buyer the opportunity to “enjoy excellent fishing” from the comfort of their own boat dock. The 1,584-square-foot open floor plan features a spacious kitchen and dining area that flow effortlessly into the main living room, all surrounded by a wall of windows framing the stunning views. A screened-in porch would be a nice spot for morning coffee.
The residence is being offered fully furnished, making it ideal for an investor seeking rental income or someone looking for a move-in-ready opportunity.
Lisa Montgomery-Calvert of Coldwell Banker Hartung is the listing agent.
6. 12002 Jackson River Rd, Monterey, VA
Price: $569,000
Why it’s here: Calling all preppers: Here’s the unique opportunity to own a custom-built underground concrete home.
The three-bedroom, earth-sheltered bunker built in 1999 boasts a modernized interior with a central vacuum system and a modern kitchen with stone countertops and updated appliances. A soapstone woodstove from Vermont can be found in the above-ground living room, which also features a wall of windows overlooking the private yard.
The 30.9-acre property also has solar tubes, a geothermal system, a safe room, and a three-car garage.
William Bratton of Clarkson & Wallace Real Estate – Monterey is the listing agent.
5. 77 Main St, East Haddam, CT
Price: $1,600,000
Why it’s here: Overlooking the Connecticut River, the David Watrous House is a historical “architectural treasure” that has been thoughtfully modernized.
Built in 1850, the four-bedroom residence boasts a 4,070-square-foot open floor plan filled with vintage charm and character. Period details include a formal dining room with an antique chandelier, three kitchens, an office with cherry built-ins, original chestnut flooring upstairs, custom millwork throughout, and four fireplaces.
A modern chef’s kitchen has handcrafted cherry cabinets, granite countertops, a tin ceiling, and an oversized island. The riverfront great room has a wall of windows to capture the views, and a walkout lower level offers more than 1,500 square feet of living space.
The nearly 1-acre lot also has a three-bay post-and-beam carriage house featuring a workshop/studio with stained-glass windows, a copper cupola, and an antique weathervane.
Sacha Armstrong-Crockett of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.
4. 2041 Grace Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Price: $3,395,000
Why it’s here: Located in the hillside enclave of Whitley Heights, this Mediterranean-style estate built in 1922 by H.L. Wilson sits on a rare double lot dotted with fruit, elm, and magnolia trees.
Designed for grand-scale entertaining, the gated property boasts stunning views of Los Angeles. A spacious living room overlooks the city skyline. The formal dining room has French doors that open to a private garden with outdoor seating and a fire pit.
A gourmet kitchen has custom cabinetry, a breakfast nook, and a built-in banquette. The turret staircase leads to a primary suite with a decorative fireplace and balcony overlooking the private yard with a solar-heated pool.
Other highlights include a media room, home office, fitness center, guest suite with a separate entrance, and a prohibition-style speakeasy.
Karen Lower of Compass is the listing agent.
3. 451 E Schantz Ave, Oakwood, OH
Price: $859,900
Why it’s here: Built in 1924, this Tudor Revival in the Schantz Historic District has been beautifully reimagined to showcase its original grandeur.
The five-bedroom residence with a screened front porch features a wood entry door with a round window. The 4,727-square-foot interior showcases a grand staircase, intricate millwork, restored hardwood floors, exposed beams, built-in cabinetry, and two fireplaces.
A music room with “grand bay windows” overlooking the private yard leads to a remodeled kitchen with quartz countertops, Chicago brick floors, and a breakfast nook with views of the private terrace. The wood-paneled library has custom built-ins.
A second-floor primary suite has a sitting area, dual walk-in closets, a soaking tub, and a balcony. Guest accommodations can be found on the third level.
An unfinished walk-out lower level offering extra storage space has direct access to the attached four-car garage.
Amy Stamps of Keller Williams Home Town Realty is the listing agent.
2. 410 Monoma Rd, Red Feather Lakes, CO
Price: $119,000
Why it’s here: It’s the inexpensive opportunity to live in a cozy container home offering just 160 square feet of space with a composting toilet.
Designed for a buyer on a budget, the one-bedroom residence offering views of Nokomis Lake also has two solar panels to keep utility costs down. The steel cabin has sliding doors overlooking the forest; it could be an ideal spot to add a future deck. A wood-burning stove found in the kitchen “easily heats this cabin.” Buyers should note that the “1/4 bath is composed of only the composting toilet.”
According to the listing, a canoe and gear are included.
Jack Keeler of Summit Real Estate & Marketing is the listing agent.
1. 83 Clark St, Eastport, ME
Price: $80,000
Why it’s here: It’s the former “creative workspace” of artist Elizabeth Ostrander who lived here for more than 50 years and whose work is still present throughout the two-bedroom dwelling.
While the 1,167-square-foot former home of the Ostrander Studio Gallery & Sculpture Garden “is in need of major renovation, repairs, vision, and restoration, both inside and out,” it comes with an affordable price tag. A living room used as an artist studio features a mermaid mural and sliders overlooking the wooded lot. The full bathroom also has custom artwork.
The property being sold as is also offers distant water views of Harris Cove.
Shayna Smart of Bold Coast Properties is the listing agent.
