A historic 5,000-square-foot Federal-style home has hit the market for just $125,000 in Maine, about a quarter of the current median home price in the state.
The only downside? It’s a complete mess after an unwanted visitor took over the Paris Hill home years ago, turning the entire floor they lived in into a hoarder’s den.
“It was kind of a hoarding situation,” said Fred Greenwood, a publicly traded real estate agent. Bangor Daily News.
Below ground, the huge red house, known as the Amos Armsby House, is full of character and charm.
With redwood surrounding the exterior, original doors, a grand staircase and beautiful fireplaces, the home built in 1812 is sure to turn heads.
A sprawling 5,000-square-foot historic home in Maine is on the market for just $125,000 — a quarter of the current median home price in the state.
The only problem is that the house is in ruins and remains uninhabitable.
But a host of problems plague the property that sits on nearly two acres of land.
Without proper plumbing, heating or wiring, the old structure is uninhabitable.
But about three years ago, new owners took over the house and had big plans to save it from disintegration.
They began removing plaster, walls and ceilings that posed a threat. They removed the clutter and trash that had been accumulating for years.
“They must have taken, I don’t know, maybe a dozen dumpsters and stuff,” Greenwood added.
In winter, the house has views of New Hampshire’s Presidential Mountain Range. The mountains of western Maine can also be seen.
A pair of new owners were the most recent buyers of the house with the goal of saving it, but the job was too big and needed professional help.
However, the project proved to be too big. The owners decided to abandon it and are trying to pass it on to the next real estate investor who has the money to give it the love it needs.
This striking building, located near the charming Paris Hill historic district, features four bathrooms and nine bedrooms. It even has views of New Hampshire’s Presidential Mountain Range in winter, as well as the mountains of western Maine.
It is surrounded by stone walls and shady trees. The previous owners left a motorhome on the property, which is included in the offer.
Although it is located next to Paris Hill, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, there are no restrictions.
The next buyer can do whatever he wants with the property.
Some areas of the house still remain intact, including a spacious porch with original wood and brick.
A grand staircase is one of the house’s biggest draws and features beautiful original wood, but still needs restoration to some extent.
The house features original wood trim, a spacious porch and six brick fireplaces. One of the fireplaces even has two ovens for cooking, both built-in.
Another option for renovations could include tearing down the building and preserving salvageable details to incorporate into a new structure, Greenwood added.
After relisting the property last week, Greenwood said he’s seen a lot of interest and hopes the historic piece finds the perfect buyer.
But someone has to rise to the challenge.
Amos Armsby, a home builder and veteran of the War of 1812, built the house that year. He was also considered a “house builder,” a person who builds wooden houses and is often called upon to repair them, according to Life in the old house.
Although the historic structure has a lot of potential, there is no heating, plumbing or wiring in good repair.
The 212-year-old home has gained further attention after being put up for sale again last week and is looking for the perfect buyer.
He occupied the house for only three years. In 1815, he sold it to a cabinetmaker, Joseph Lindsey.
Since then, the house has been bought and sold again and again.
The granddaughter of a previous owner told The Old House Life that her grandmother loved the house, but she heard noises.
There are people who say that the house, which is more than 200 years old, is haunted.
Either way, the home is full of potential, and its town of more than 5,000 residents offers amenities like a country club, library, community club and a massive greenbelt.