Category Archives: Ohio

Storied 1897 Virginia Lighthouse Hits the Market for $450K—and It Comes With Very Strict Rules for Prospective Buyers

A historic Virginia lighthouse has splashed its way back onto the market for $450,000—complete with a very rigid set of rules around the terms of its sale, including that the buyer must be willing to pay cash for the 129-year-old abode.

Accessible only by boat, the dwelling offers a truly off-the-grid living experience, a feature that has helped to propel it to the top of the week’s most popular homes list.

Constructed as a working lighthouse in 1897, the structure has since been redesigned as the ultimate getaway in Chesapeake Bay, undergoing a significant overhaul from 2006 to 2009 that transformed it into a remote vacation retreat.

That three-year renovation added a modern kitchen, living room with vinyl plank floors, and three bedrooms upstairs. A fourth bedroom can be found in the top floor watch room.

The property, which is known as the Smith Point Lighthouse and is located 2.5 miles off the shore in Reedville, VA, at the mouth of the Potomac River, last changed hands in 2005. The sellers first tested the waters on the housing market in 2024, but have now relisted the property at the same price—with several contingencies in place.

First, all interested parties must note that the property is “on the National Historic Registry and subject to restrictions,” the listing says—adding that multiple repairs are needed in and around the lighthouse, including updates to the rails, appliances, windows, and floors.

According to the listing, the Coast Guard maintains the lamp “as an active aid to navigation.”

Only buyers who are serious about making a cash offer should inquire, the description adds.

Other properties grabbing attention this week are a former bank building transformed into a stylish residence in Virginia, a midcentury time capsule in Oklahoma, and a bridge-turned-architectural marvel in Ohio.

10. 160 E Howard St, Tryon, NC

Price: $249,000

Why it’s here: This colorful and modernized bungalow is a creative artist’s dream retreat!

The cheery open floor plan boasts 1,406 square feet of sun-soaked space with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and hardwood floors. Two bedrooms can be found on the lower level along with a sunroom that could be transformed into an office or studio. A private backyard overlooks a serene stream.

Located in mixed-use zoning just steps from the Saluda Grade Trail, the investment property could also be used for rental income or a business opportunity.

David Eshan of Keller Williams DRIVE is the listing agent.

Colorful bungalow in Tryon, NC, on sale for $249,000
Colorful bungalow in Tryon, NC (Realtor.com)

9. 122 Brooks St, Monroe, VA

Price: $315,000

Why it’s here: Built in 1889, this historic former bank building has been transformed into a stylish three-bedroom residence.

Grand exterior columns, double entry doors, high ceilings, wood beams, arched windows, exposed brick walls, and original hardwood floors all remain intact. The 1,572-square-foot open floor plan now offers an updated kitchen with white shaker cabinets and quartz countertops, and a primary suite found in the loft area that overlooks the living room.

A front porch or rear deck would be a nice spot for morning coffee.

Salina M Khanna of T.Y. Realty Incorporated is the listing agent.

Former bank in Monroe, VA, on sale for $315,000
Former bank in Monroe, VA (Realtor.com)

8. 1806 Mocking Bird Ln, Enid, OK

Price: $349,900

Why it’s here: It’s an affordably priced, midcentury modern time capsule still full of period details.

Built in 1960, this “timeless” two-bedroom residence features vaulted ceilings, wood-paneled walls, brick details, built-ins, and a carport. A spacious living room boasts a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace and retractable glass walls designed to seamlessly blend in with the outdoor living area.

An in-ground pool, sundeck, and firepit can be found in the private fenced-in backyard.

Jimmy Nicholas of Nicholas Residential R E is the listing agent.

Midcentury home in Enid, OK, on sale for $349,900
Midcentury home in Enid, OK (Realtor.com)

7. 3418 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA

Price: $400,000

Why it’s here: This investment opportunity could transform the property into a future multifamily development in a “rapidly growing area.”

According to the listing, the redevelopment site could be used to build a six-unit structure. Built in 1910, the existing 1,068-square-foot residence features two bedrooms on the main level with an additional one located upstairs. A sunporch overlooks the fenced-in backyard with gardens and fruit trees.

There is also a detached two-story outbuilding that offers additional potential.

Anton Stetner of KW North Sound is the listing agent.

Investment opportunity in Everett, WA, on sale for $400,000
Investment opportunity in Everett, WA (Realtor.com)

6. 3500 Kitzmiller Rd, New Albany, OH

Price: $799,900

Why it’s here: This 5-acre property started off as a bridge before a three-bedroom “architectural marvel” was added on in 1953.

Now, a long living room with brick fireplace and expansive windows spans over the creek flowing underneath. The 2,195-square-foot interior features an eat-in kitchen with oversized breakfast bar and dining area overlooking the water. A floating curved staircase leads up to the sleeping quarters.

Buyers should do their due diligence to determine if the property is located in a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.

Joshua Neudecker of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services – Gahanna Downtown is the listing agent.

Former bridge turned residence in New Albany, OH, on sale for $799,900
Former bridge turned residence in New Albany, OH (Realtor.com)

5. 99 Posey Cir, Saint Joseph, TN

Price: $7,995,000

Why it’s here: It’s a luxurious farmstead located on a massive 457 acres that feature multiple ponds, a creek, pasture, and crop fields.

A four-bedroom estate surrounded by columns and stunning wraparound covered porch boasts a 7,673-square-foot interior designed for grand-scale entertaining.

Opulent details include ash wood floors, pocket doors, a grand curved staircase, a gourmet chef’s kitchen, designer lighting, private terraces, and eight fireplaces. A finished lower level could be transformed into an entertainment room. The fourth floor widow’s walk serves as the “lookout point of the property.”

A detached four-car garage, metal storage barn, and shed can also be found on the enormous lot.

Darci Ann Caesar of Onward Real Estate is the listing agent.

457-acre mansion in Saint Joseph, TN, on sale for $7,995,000
Mansion on 457 acres in Saint Joseph, TN (Realtor.com)

4. 2851 Perry St, Denver, CO

Price: $1,900,000

Why it’s here: The historic Lobach House is an 1893 Victorian that has been well preserved over the years.

Period highlights include a grand foyer with sweeping staircase, custom millwork, inlaid wood floors, stained-glass windows, built-in cabinetry, original pocket doors, vintage hardware, and a fireplace with hand-carved mantel. Designed for entertaining, the 4,112-square-foot interior boasts a sitting room, sunroom, formal dining room, first-floor guest suite, a new kitchen with Carrara marble countertops, and an upstairs primary suite with walk-in glass shower.

A covered wraparound porch overlooks the private fenced-in yard with brick patio and gardens.

Jenny Apel of Compass is the listing agent.

Lobach House in Denver, CO, on sale for $1,900,000
Lobach House in Denver, CO (Realtor.com)

3. 1903 Ogden Rd, Adams Township, OH

Price: $495,000

Why it’s here: It’s a dome-style round home tucked away on 15.06 acres of privacy that also boasts a private pond.

Built in 1994, the uniquely designed time capsule features a throwback interior with glass block walls, skylights, some wall-to-wall carpeting, and a jetted tub. A primary suite has built-in cabinetry, mirrored bifold closet doors, and triangular-shaped windows. An enormous deck for entertaining sits atop a two-car garage.

There is also a shed for storage, and an outbuilding that could be transformed into a cabin or workshop.

Billie Madden of Keller Williams Pinnacle Group is the listing agent.

Round home in Adams Township, OH, on sale for $495,000
Round home in Adams Township, OH (Realtor.com)

2. 26715 E Still Creek Rd, Rhododendron, OR

Price: $275,000

Why it’s here: It’s a secluded three-bedroom cabin located on a private wooded lot just minutes away from Still Creek and Mount Hood.

Built in 1924, the 1,460-square-foot cedar home, offering the “opportunity for thoughtful updates,” features a two-story living room with stone fireplace and a loft-style sleeping area upstairs. The eat-in kitchen has direct access to the backyard.

A front covered porch was designed for soaking in the peaceful views.

Cassandra Skelley of PDX Dwellings LLC is the listing agent.

Secluded cabin in Rhododendron, OR, on sale for $275,000
Secluded cabin in Rhododendron, OR (Realtor.com)

1. Smith Pt, Reedville, VA

Price: $450,000

Why it’s here: Smith Point Lighthouse has once again splashed on the market in Chesapeake Bay.

The decommissioned landmark was built in 1897 and sits just 2.5 miles from the shore. A three-year renovation completed in 2009 now offers an updated kitchen with cherry cabinets, range, portable dishwasher, and microwave. There is even a shower bathroom, a living room with original trim, three second-story bedrooms and a fourth bedroom nestled upstairs in the watch room.

Offered fully furnished, the lighthouse also comes with a portable generator, a water heater, and a wastewater treatment system. Some repairs are needed, and it is being sold as is.

Smith Point Lighthouse in Reedville, VA, on sale for $450,000
Smith Point Lighthouse in Reedville, VA (Realtor.com)

A Surprise Inside: What’s Going On With This $130K Ohio Home?!

A Surprise Inside: What's Going on With This $130K Ohio Home?!

Realtor.com

At first glance, you might overlook this three-bedroom, brick house in Akron, OH, and never know what colorful interior (and past) lies behind the front door.

But it shouldn’t be too hard to catch the spirit of this 1,441-square-foot charmer—whoever wrote the listing sure did!

“For a few, creativity flows like an unending stream, painting the canvas of our world with strokes of brilliance that endure on walls and canvases, across wood and stone, upon floors and ceilings,” it reads.

Indeed, this house abounds with imagination. From the ceilings and walls, awash in hand-painted murals, to the flower-adorned kitchen cabinets, the Cape Cod-style home has been a showcase for artistic expression.

The dwelling’s surprising interior has made the home a social-media hit.

Here’s the heartwarming story of this house, which was built in 1942.

‘One mural turned into 8 or 9’

“The guy who used to live there, Don Nichols, was a really interesting guy,” says listing agent Eric Cooper, of Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realty. “He was a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. He was also a boxer, a semipro wrestler, and the three-time president of the boilermakers union.”

Apparently, he also appreciated art.

“He commissioned a local artist named Ralph Herzog, who painted murals mostly on commercial buildings, to come to his house and paint one mural,” Cooper explains. “Over the years, they struck up a friendship, and one mural turned into eight or nine.”

Kitchen

Realtor.com

Herzog and Nichols established a creative collaboration in which Nichols provided the canvas, and Herzog turned his creativity loose on it throughout the house.

“Nestled within the humble confines of a brick-and-mortar Cape Cod dwelling, a man was bestowed a canvas to express the vivid tableau of his soul,” the listing rhapsodizes.

Sadly, Herzog died in 2020, and Nichols died in 2022. The murals remain as a legacy of their friendship—at least for now.

“I went to high school with Don’s daughter, and she was hoping to find someone that would make every effort to preserve the home,” Cooper says.

‘Several offers on the home’

The nominally priced abode is already in contingent sale status, after just a week on the market.

“We have had several offers on the home already and initially made it a point to vet people, with the hopes they would keep the home and not paint over it,” Cooper says. “Obviously, we can’t guarantee that they won’t, but we are hoping they will keep it that way.”

Living area

Realtor.com

He says the majority of prospective buyers were interested in the home because they knew the artwork was there.

“Some people just wanted to have a look, but most came in because they appreciated it was there and stated they will be leaving it as is,” Cooper reports. “Ralph used a style of painting called Fresco that involves painting on wet plaster. He used this technique in the dining room.”

Dining room

Realtor.com

Even the sunroom has a storied history.

“It has these wooden floors that came from a West Virginian church close to where Don grew up,” Cooper says. “When they razed the church, he took them and added them to the sunroom. There is also quite a bit of stained glass in the home, as well as an antique weather vane. It really has a lot of character for a small home.”

Sunroom

Realtor.com

The post A Surprise Inside: What’s Going On With This $130K Ohio Home?! appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.