Feeling a little cramped? More square footage typically comes with an eye-popping price, but not always: Even in this overheated real-estate market, there are exceptions. Small towns across the country offer a chance to stretch your dollar further — much further — and put your stamp on a home that has room for everyone. Here are some big homes with small price tags that look mighty tempting.
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$184,900
Talk about curb appeal. This 3,500-square-foot three-bedroom, built in 1920, is stately enough on its own, but it’s especially eye-catching surrounded by massive oaks. It has an attached two-car garage and a fenced backyard.
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Hardwood floors, tall ceilings, a sunroom, and a kitchen with a breakfast nook are just some of the highlights here. Upstairs, you’ll find new carpet, and there are antique vanities in two bathrooms. Built-ins and a wet bar are nice bonuses.
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$182,500
This brilliant blue beauty with a turret shows why small-town living still has plenty of appeal for many, especially those who want more space for their money. It has four bedrooms, more than 3,300 square feet, a large yard, a garage with a workshop, and an out building.
There is swoon-worthy woodwork in the foyer, and the rustic stone fireplace is a cozy focal point for gathering. Other highlights include a kitchen more than big enough for a large table and one of the most spacious laundry rooms we’ve ever seen.
$127,500
If you’ve been daydreaming about putting your own stamp on a big country home, this charmer from 1890 could be for you. With four bedrooms and close to 4,500 square feet, it’s certainly roomy enough, plus it sits on a generous 2-acre lot with river views.
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It needs plenty of work, but the interior still boasts fantastic Queen Anne features, including original woodwork, pocket doors, and built-in cabinets and window seats. A walk-up attic offers even more potential for creative uses.
$129,900
For a mere $36 a foot, this historic home in central Alabama beckons. Built in 1845, it has four bedrooms and close to 3,600 square feet. Enjoy a breezy evening from the front porch or balcony, or head to the deck overlooking a large, grassy backyard.
There’s still tons of charm to be had inside, where you’ll find a handmade staircase and railing, fireplaces galore, and original pine floors throughout the first floor. Stately chandeliers contribute to a formal, timeless feel.
$199,900
Cruise down Route 66 to find this classic brick four-bedroom, built in 1927. It’s more than 3,600 square feet and sits on a spacious corner lot near the center of town. If you’re a car lover, take note: There’s a two-car attached garage as well as a two-car detached garage.
A living room has a brick fireplace with a warm wood mantle and built-ins just begging for knickknacks, books, and family photos. The kitchen and bathroom could use some freshening up, but there’s tons of room to spread out, and even a safe room — handy in tornado alley.
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$199,900
New York City may be known for exorbitant housing prices, but western New York definitely isn’t. You’ll find this six-bedroom home sprawling over 4,200 square feet in Hornell, about 70 miles south of Rochester. The two-story porch even has a screened-in balcony.
Surprised? The recently renovated open-concept first floor has brand-new flooring, exposed brick, an electric fireplace, and even a fully updated kitchen with an island. Don’t worry — there’s still hardwood under that laminate.
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$184,900
This tidy, well-maintained family home from the ’70s has five bedrooms and more than 3,700 square feet. Need room for family cookouts? A large deck opens onto a yard that spans three lots, and there’s a shed, sprinkler system, and hookups for your gas grill and smoker.
A family room, dining room, and large kitchen flow together, ideal for entertaining or just chilling. Send the kids downstairs to play in the enormous finished basement, or turn it into a man cave or crafting room. The kitchen has newer appliances and solid-surface counters.
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$170,000
Want a home with a story? This five-bedroom colonial built in 1891 was originally a boarding house for steam-train travelers. The lot is a generous 1.3 acres, and the home covers more than 3,600 square feet. A wraparound porch offers plenty of space to enjoy country breezes, and there’s a roomy carport, a small barn, and a workshop.
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The interior is more updated than you might expect, but still has the charm of yesteryear, from the original windows to the pine floors and crown molding. There’s an eat-in kitchen for casual meals, but the formal dining room with its classic chandelier is another great space for gathering.
$185,000
This three-bedroom Spanish-style home about 90 minutes outside of Chicago is definitely a head-turner. With more than 3,800 square feet of space, there’s plenty of room to spread out. Got a green thumb? The flower-filled backyard will be a highlight that you can also appreciate from the covered patio or raised back deck.
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Arched doors, wood floors, original plaster work and a traditional fireplace make the inside instantly homey. The kitchen is large and updated, and the family room has tile floors, vaulted wood ceilings, and a wet bar.
$129,900
With a price tag this low in the pricey Northeast, you’re in for some work, but this 4,000-square-foot five-bedroom could make it worth your while, especially when you see the property. Originally a bunkhouse for a sawmill, it’s set on 8 gorgeous acres near the White River and Green Mountain National Forest.
A living room with low beams and a huge brick fireplace offers tons of potential, as does a charming formal dining room. The kitchen is light and bright, and skylights help brighten up the upstairs bedrooms.
$195,000
Big house, big yard, big charm: This four-bedroom about a half-hour outside Tuscaloosa has it all. Built in 1857, it has more than 4,000 square feet and sits on 3.5 acres that you can survey from the large front and back porches.
Even the master bedroom has a fireplace in this time capsule of a home, and there are pine floors, original mantels, and classic chandeliers throughout. The kitchen has more of a midcentury vibe, and there’s a butler’s pantry offering tons of additional storage.
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$189,500
There’s just something about a Cape Cod that’s instantly welcoming, and this four-bedroom in northwestern Tennessee is no exception. With more than 4,600 square feet, it’s also more than big enough for a growing family, or a constant parade of guests. It’s on two lots filled with mature trees, and there’s a screened-in porch that overlooks all the greenery.
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Newly refinished hardwood floors flow throughout the living room and dining room, and there’s a wood-burning fireplace that anchors the space. Even the hallway has its own built-in cabinets for storage, so you’ll have plenty of places to stash your stuff.
$199,000
This three-bedroom brick bungalow south of Kansas City has a storybook quality, and with 3,800 square feet, there’s enough space for a large cast of characters. Built in 1930, it has a brand new covered porch in the back, a flagstone walkway in the front, an attached garage, and a shed.
Refinished hardwood floors, arched doorways, a cozy fireplace, and a cheerful updated kitchen are some of the highlights here. There’s a bonus room upstairs, and a large mudroom or office area downstairs.
$154,900
Just $33 a square foot gets you this handsome nine-bedroom (yes, nine) in central Pennsylvania. Built in 1910, it covers close to 4,800 square feet — the biggest home on our list. It’s also been in the same family for a century.
A massive covered porch wraps around the home, and inside, there are built-ins, fireplaces, and arched doorways. Some bedrooms have hardwood floors, too.
$199,900
Who could resist this turn-of-the-century home with gingerbread trim, especially at this price? This northeastern Texas home has four bedrooms, 3,800 square feet, and a wraparound porch, plus it sits on a large lot of more than an acre with a carport and a detached garage.
Parquet floors and decorative fireplaces are some of the welcoming touches downstairs. The large kitchen has an attached breakfast room, and several of the bedrooms have built-in desks.
$171,000
Built in 1950 but added onto over the years, this comfortable brick five-bedroom, five-bathroom home sprawls over 4,100 square feet. It’s nestled among towering pines, and the flower-filled yard also has a large back deck.
Several rooms have hardwood flooring, and the kitchen has a ton of cabinet space. A huge family room with a large brick fireplace offers additional space for gathering.
$129,900
This five-bedroom in a small town on the St. Lawrence River has more than 3,500 square feet and plenty of stately presence. The yard is fenced, and there’s a large side porch ideal for enjoying upstate New York’s milder summer evenings.
With tall ceilings, hardwood floors, and prominent fireplaces, this is a home that has a grand, historic feel. The kitchen has charming checkered floors, and there are other notable touches like a pellet stove, built-ins, and farm-style cupboards.
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$185,000
This four-bedroom Victorian built in 1906 has not one but two porches, and a porch swing that offers an ideal perch for reading or relaxing. On a lot filled with mature trees, it has more than 4,000 square feet of living space.
From crystal chandeliers to a twisting staircase to a solarium with French doors, this home has plenty of flourishes you might not expect in a home at this price. It has elegant transom windows that can still be open and shut, and anyone with a fondness for vintage kitchens will love the retro green sink.
