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Elizabeth Finkelstein and Ethan FinkelsteinPenguin Random House LLC

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Cheap Old Houses: An Unconventional Guide to Loving and Restoring a Forgotten Home Hardcover – October 10, 2023

by Elizabeth Finkelstein (Author), Ethan Finkelstein (Author)

4.8 131 ratings

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From the founders of the HGTV show and Instagram Cheap Old Houses comes a stunning collection of beautiful, affordable homes and inspiration for buying and restoring an historic house.

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. Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein have 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 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, Elizabeth, a historical preservationist, gives information on the details to preserve in historic 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 more 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.

From the Publisher

Inspiration and advice for buying, restoring, and loving a historic home

“These houses were bought for less than $150,000 and have been restored or kept in original states”

couple and dog sitting outside their bungalow-style home

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein started the Instagram account Cheap Old Houses in 2016 to uncover the hidden gems across America for under $100,000. They’ve garnered millions of followers and grown their brand into a HGTV show and a newsletter. They’ve been featured widely in such publications as New York magazine, Architectural Digest, The Financial Times, Forbes, Daily Mail, and Business Insider.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Lost Art of Imperfect Living

“We believe that you’re being sold the wrong American dream.”

This is a story of a counterculture. And a rallying cry to you, dear reader, to fall with us down the rabbit hole of cheap old houses.

There, you’ll meet people who have looked past the commodities we are so often told will make us happier: newer, shinier, more expensive things. They’ve dared to dream differently, and in often unexpected ways, they’ve discovered astonishing purpose by devoting attention to a home that needs love.

The houses featured in this book are from all across our country, were bought (with only a few exceptions) for less than $150,000, and have largely been either restored or kept in their original states. These aren’t fancy landmarks, mind you, but more “typical” homes that truly represent the genuine moments in which previous generations grew up, had families, pursued local careers, and planted deep roots.

What do the owners of cheap old houses know that the rest of us don’t? Well, for one, these old places allow for an entry point into our country’s competitive real estate market, with a financially tenable opportunity toward homeownership. That “location, location, location” doesn’t only apply to a handful of overpriced cities. And that the materials used to build many of these homes are not only beautiful but also have withstood the test of time. With care, these relics of the past can and will outlive us.

As a culture, we’ve quickly been conditioned to desire homes that are perfect and flawless. Homes that are larger than life. Homes that are smart and have amenities to care for all of our needs. Homes that reflect every fleeting design trend. And, for many of us, the trade-off for acquiring these homes is living beyond our means and accepting soul-crushing debt, not to mention contributing to the overabundance of waste that comes from accumulating everything shiny and new.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

As you’ll see from the personal narratives that follow, investing in a cheap old house is about so much more than buying real estate. It’s about investing in ourselves and the future of our communities by looking to the past. It’s about respecting architecture that can continue to outlive us if we allow it, and saving materials through reuse, repair, and salvage. It’s about taking a critical look at the building and design industries, which thrive on a “newer is better” sales model and play a significant role in packing our landfills. And it’s about showing that not all dreams out there look alike—we’ve peppered the book with homes of every style and ilk, and stories of people from all walks of life who forged their own reality of owning a cheap old house by saving their pennies, learning aspects of repair and restoration work, remaining persistent, sourcing atypical financing options, and more.

When we first started sharing cheap old houses with the world, we had no idea that thousands of people would jump through hoops to purchase them, and then turn around and share their stories. These anecdotes have been so personally inspiring to us that finally, after years of helping others find homes, we purchased our own crumbling eighteenth-century farmhouse for $70,000 (page 278) and officially became key-carrying members of the Cheap Old Houses movement.

And what a movement it is, filled with creative, tenacious, resourceful people with an inherent knack for thinking differently. We’ve watched couples like Randi and Dave Howell (page 16) literally camp out on the back porch of their cheap old mansion for months while they shored up rooms inside and made them livable for their growing young family. We’ve seen how Kamaria Gray and Dakarai Carter (page 144) scored not only their dream old home but also outdoor space that they intend to transform into a community garden. We’ve been impressed with how Kristian Berryhill (page 164) and Daniel Kanter (page 133), like many others, have tackled projects solo and with gusto, and how Betsy Sweeny (page 199) and Lise Saint James (page 227) have researched loans specific to old homes in the interest of financial independence. Equally remarkable is how others have worked to transform cheap old nonresidential structures, like churches, schoolhouses, and even a coastal hydropower station (page 264), into charming dwellings.

If there was any doubt that an alternative to the typical American dream exists through cheap old houses, we are here to say it does. Indeed, this book intends to spell out that these particular buildings are more than worth our time and attention, and may just be the answer so many have been looking for: a sense of place, purpose, and possibility.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarkson Potter (October 10, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593578767
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593578766
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.32 x 1.15 x 10.82 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #104,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Historic Architectural Preservation
- #203 in Construction Engineering (Books)
- #373 in Home Decorating (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.8 131 ratings

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Ethan Finkelstein
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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.
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Customer reviews

131 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and rewarding to read. They appreciate the beautiful pictures and stories of old homes that capture a sense of history. The book provides design inspiration and encouragement for creating and dreaming. It offers clear explanations and demonstrations of each home, making it informative.

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Book love Photography Story quality Inspiration Description

16 customers mention "Book love"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an interesting and enjoyable read with great content. The book is described as a unique coffee table book that provides inspiration and fun for short breaks.

"Such an amazing book. Elizabeth and Ethan have such a great mission and their love and energy just jumps off the pages...." Read more

"Great book and lots of fun and inspiration." Read more

"Love this book. Its beautifully made, & I love the matt finish of all the pages. The content is fantastic. Wish they had a book wirh every listing." Read more

"...Best book ever." Read more

16 customers mention "Photography"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's photography. They find the pictures beautiful and evoke a romantic sense of home. The design inspiration and encouragement to take a chance on an old home are also appreciated. Readers appreciate the matte finish of all pages.

"...Filled with good ideas and nice pics. Old houses are a journey and this book embraces that." Read more

"...There are beautiful pictures and explanations of each home and each home ends with a feature page on a historical detail (Plaster, Wavy Glass, etc)...." Read more

"...Really loved all the design inspiration and encouragement to take a chance on an old home which doesn’t have to be historic. Well worth the purchase!" Read more

"...episodes showing their renovations, it is great to have beautiful photography to capture the designs of this talented team...." Read more

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories and history of old homes interesting and fascinating. They appreciate the beautiful pictures and the sense of our country's history through the eyes of homeowners. The book is made up of several 5 page stories that are easy to read.

"...Filled with good ideas and nice pics. Old houses are a journey and this book embraces that." Read more

"...It is comprised of sseveral 5~ page stories that are easy to read...." Read more

"...were more photos of the featured homes, but find the stories and history quite interesting and fascinating, thus I can forgive the overall “lack” of..." Read more

"...a romantic sense of home in all sorts of settings, it captures remnants of a bygone era, while also providing a plethora of resources from around..." Read more

8 customers mention "Inspiration"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring with its beautiful photography and heartwarming stories about inexpensive old houses. It offers good ideas and encouragement for creative and practical thinkers alike.

"...Unfortunately, not as cheap as the ones in the book. Filled with good ideas and nice pics. Old houses are a journey and this book embraces that." Read more

"...Really loved all the design inspiration and encouragement to take a chance on an old home which doesn’t have to be historic. Well worth the purchase!" Read more

"Great book and lots of fun and inspiration." Read more

"This book is a haven for creators and dreamers, and practical measured thinkers alike...." Read more

5 customers mention "Description"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's descriptions and pictures. They find it informative, well-written, and easy to read.

"...There are beautiful pictures and explanations of each home and each home ends with a feature page on a historical detail (Plaster, Wavy Glass, etc)...." Read more

"...This book does a solid job of explaining, demonstrating and pointing out the mass amount of work required and involved...." Read more

"...The stories are rich in detail and so well written. You really feel as though you’re walking through these homes as the read each story...." Read more

"Nice pictures and descriptions" Read more

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Elizabeth Stephen
Interesting Book
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2024
Verified Purchase

I have an old house. Unfortunately, not as cheap as the ones in the book. Filled with good ideas and nice pics. Old houses are a journey and this book embraces that.

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J. Linder
Stunning Book! 😍
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am so happy I bought this book! I absolutely adore this couple's IG page and passion as a homeowner of a 1911 Craftsman and this book does not disappoint! It is comprised of sseveral 5~ page stories that are easy to read. Each story includes a background story of the homeowners, their journey to purchasing the home and their restoration. There are beautiful pictures and explanations of each home and each home ends with a feature page on a historical detail (Plaster, Wavy Glass, etc). I've already read several stories in one sitting and can't wait to finish this book!

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5 people found this helpful

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Brittany Kouris
Old Home Dreaming!
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Such an amazing book. Elizabeth and Ethan have such a great mission and their love and energy just jumps off the pages. I just loved the cross collaboration with all these homeowners and their stories. Really loved all the design inspiration and encouragement to take a chance on an old home which doesn’t have to be historic. Well worth the purchase!

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Beachmom
Gift
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
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Great book and lots of fun and inspiration.

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Psychic Sam
Eye candy
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2025
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As much as I enjoyed watching the t.v. episodes showing their renovations, it is great to have beautiful photography to capture the designs of this talented team. I will likely buy more copies to gift to friends who also enjoy re-doing old houses.

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P. C. Nepean
Cheap Old Houses
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
The HGTV series caught my attention, so when the book was published, I was eager to add it to my library. I will first point out that this book is more about story and history and less about interior decor photos. I do wish there were more photos of the featured homes, but find the stories and history quite interesting and fascinating, thus I can forgive the overall “lack” of interior detail photos. The print is small by most readability standards, so read with sufficient light. I remain intrigued by such an idea of acquiring and restoring lovely old historical properties. This book does a solid job of explaining, demonstrating and pointing out the mass amount of work required and involved. But the investment has been very worth it for the hardy, hearty people featured in this publication. Be realistic and informed, but even more so, be inspired!

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4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Love this book. Its beautifully made, & I love the matt finish of all the pages. The content is fantastic. Wish they had a book wirh every listing.

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One person found this helpful

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Rumfield Homestead
A Must Read for Anyone Who Has Ever and Will Ever Live in a Home (That’s You!)
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is a haven for creators and dreamers, and practical measured thinkers alike. With beautiful photography that evokes a romantic sense of home in all sorts of settings, it captures remnants of a bygone era, while also providing a plethora of resources from around the country for all things necessary in rehabilitating an old home. It gets at the heart of the American dream, what connects us to those before us, and how to preserve our resources for those who will come after us. It’s a love letter to regular people doing extraordinarily unconventional things in their old houses. It’s both eye candy, and a resource to come back to again and again. The message is abundantly necessary in today’s fast paced, bigger is better culture, where uniformity in homes is the norm. Cannot recommend more highly!

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Rumfield Homestead

A Must Read for Anyone Who Has Ever and Will Ever Live in a Home (That’s You!)

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
This book is a haven for creators and dreamers, and practical measured thinkers alike. With beautiful photography that evokes a romantic sense of home in all sorts of settings, it captures remnants of a bygone era, while also providing a plethora of resources from around the country for all things necessary in rehabilitating an old home. It gets at the heart of the American dream, what connects us to those before us, and how to preserve our resources for those who will come after us. It’s a love letter to regular people doing extraordinarily unconventional things in their old houses. It’s both eye candy, and a resource to come back to again and again. The message is abundantly necessary in today’s fast paced, bigger is better culture, where uniformity in homes is the norm. Cannot recommend more highly!

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Robin LEYNAUD
Livre endommagé
Reviewed in France on December 17, 2023
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Livre endommagé sur la partie supérieure, j’ai demandé un remboursement et pourtant aucun retour ! Je ne recommande pas

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Robin LEYNAUD

Livre endommagé

Reviewed in France on December 17, 2023
Livre endommagé sur la partie supérieure, j’ai demandé un remboursement et pourtant aucun retour ! Je ne recommande pas

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Cheap Old Houses: An Unconventional Guide to Loving and Restoring a Forgotten Home Hardcover – October 10, 2023

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