The B.S. Rivers House c. 1800. Walterboro, S.C.

Oh boy. If I were in the market for our southern escape house right now this would definitely be a possibility. Built in about 1800-1820 and lived in by the eldest male member of the Rivers family until 2005, this wonderful house was slated for demolition when the heirs of Styles Rivers gave it and 1.25 acres to the local Historical Society. They in turn sold it and the community watched as it was restored and has become a home again. Although the listing doesn't show interior photos it's described as a "wonderful and beautiful home with ALL the comforts of a new house in a house built to last a lifetime." It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. A little cozy at 1,900 square feet but that could be a plus. 1st floor bedroom and bath. 10 foot ceilings. Original wood windows (yay!). Couple of fire places. And one of the best things is that it is in Walterboro --
which is a small town less than 1 hour from Charleston or Savannah Ga.and 4 miles from I95 . I've actually visited there and it really is a great place. Charming downtown with LOTS of antique stores run by people who have come from bigger cities -- including NYC -- to take advantage of all this cool little town has to offer. It's surrounded by thousands of acres of preserved
land and large estates. Close to beaches and boating. If it had a good golf course nearby for the husband I'd totally be there.
And a STEAL at $235K. God that's cheap......

1939 Greek Revival Summerville SC

Okay this is what I'm talking about! Lovely Greek Revival home on 1.3 naturally landscaped acres in the heart of Summerville near Charleston SC. Home has been in the same family since it was built in 1939. Yard is full of 100+year-old camellias, azaleas, tea olives, magnolias, oaks (original house burned in the early 1900's). Home designed by renowned architect Henry Schulz Burden who also designed St. Paul's Episcopal Church's Ambler Hall. This 3,300 square foot home has low maintenance triple brick exterior construction, a substantial columned front porch, casual back screen porch, 10 foot smooth ceilings down and 9 foot smooth ceilings up. In 1996 the hardwood… floors throughout the house were refinished, the entire high efficiency central air conditioning and heating system was put in, the entire interior and exterior was painted, kitchen was modernized and expanded and an additional 600 square feet of other living space was added (expanded 600 feet designed to easily convert to downstairs master). There are two fireplaces--one in living room and one in the master bedroom- and a very large walk up attic where more square footage could be added. House is under termite bond. Exclusions: living room draperies,wall desk in upstairs bedroom,decorative mirrors, and yard furniture and accessories. 1yr AHS Warranty included. Adjacent 1/2 acre lot also available for sale; price for lot is $95,000 for lot if purchased with this 1.3 acre house and lot. $600k without the additional lot. I could definitely do this.

1915 Morgan Cottage - Historic Madison, GA

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Just back from a real estate reconnaissance mission to northern Georgia and South Carolina in which we visited the extraordinarily charming historic town of Madison, GA. Street after street of lovely homes. Charming downtown with great antique shops, cute boutiques and pretty good looking restaurants. Just an hour or so outside of Atlanta -- so I figured everything would be very expensive. Not so! For just $489k one can move right into this spacious Georgian Cottage, totally restored, beautiful rocking chair front porch, screened porch, 1st floor updated master bath with heated floor and walk in shower, 2 other bedrooms, modern kitchen, heart pine floors, carriage house, beautifully landscaped with many specimen plants. Located in the heart of the Historic Districtit's just short walk to downtown shopping & restaurants!

"Avoca" 18th Century Stone Manor, Ellicott City, MD

You can barely see this through the trees from Montgomery Road and I had always thought for some reason it was probably neglected and a little run down. Boy was I wrong. This classic mid 18th century Ellicott City stone manor home has quite the array of modern amenities to go along with its yesteryear charm. Modern kitchen, 4 renovated baths, 5 bedrooms, separate apartment, multiple porches, back staircase, 4 fireplaces, new furnace, and 4 original stone out buildings. And it's pretty spacious -- 4,838 square feet. The "bad news" is that it is on 5.38 beautiful acres of prime real estate and is being marketed as "great for investors". Blech! Somebody please buy this at $1,125,000 and treasure it as a fabulous private estate that's minutes to major roads and charming old town Ellicott City.

c. 1870 "Chinese Chippendale" Cottage - Belton, S.C.

Is this CUTE or what? I've heard of Chinese Chippendale in terms of furniture, but have never seen it used to describe architecture. But you can definitely see a far eastern flair, although I'd probably tag it as Carpenter Gothic. ANYWAY.... it's got 5 bedrooms, 1 bath, 2,450 square feet. Looks a little rough around the edges on the inside, but it's got "potential". Plus it's on almost 4.5 acres and is priced at just $185,000. Probably because it's located in the hinterlands of Belton, South Carolina.
Also available for rent.

1830 Oyer House at McAlevy's Fort Huntingdon, PA.

Hello Handsome! Elegantly rustic and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Oyer House is an 1830 stone house, carefully restored, on approx. 2 acres. SEVEN fireplaces and extensive original faux graining and stenciling make this a unique example of Federal architecture. Superb original decorative paint and stenciling appears throughout this house. All major doors, baseboard moldings, and chimney cabinets are either faux-grained in maple or mahogany or marbleized in simulated stone. In the back parlor rows of stenciling from floor to ceiling were discovered under layers of old wall paper.Original box-locks and Norfolk latches remain on all the doors.

All that PLUS new mechanicals, wiring, plumbing and bathrooms and kitchens, were added with care from 1990 to the present as the house, when found, had none of these amenities, being in it's original 1830 condition. A new roof, an outbuilding serving as a garage, and a sun-room were added at this time. When the original six dormers were replaced, two large rooms, bath and galley kitchen made a third floor suite, completing a 4-5 bedroom, 3+ bath house. Sounds like this one is done!

Described as "hidden in its peaceful central enclave near large areas of state forests, parks and famous fishing and hunting areas, this unique home is within an easy drive of a major university" -- I'm guessing it's near Penn State. So the climate's cold but it's got culture. Just $445,000.

Savannah Stunner - $140,000

So what's up with this?

A 2 Bedroom, 840 square ft. "deluxe quality" loft in DOWNTOWN Savannah that includes all furnishings such as $10,000 window treatments, three antique oriental screens valued at $5,000 plus a full office/electronics set up: IBM computer, scan/print/fax, shredder, CD stereo system, DVD TV. Move right in! Superior 2004 renovation of a substantially built circa 1942 school building by Atlanta's Inman Park Properties. Great loft space with 12 foot ceilings, a unique glass wall and sunny six-foot windows. 2 beds, 1 bath, hardwood floors, and all ALL FOR $140k ?????? (say 20% down, 5% interest rate, 30 years -- that's about $750 a month!) Maybe it also comes with a corpse in the closet. Must be some kinda crazy story behind this one.