Character Home, Pool, Historic, Finished Basement
1920 Canisteo Village Home with Pool, Built-ins, and Main-Floor Suite — $149,900
7
out of 10
HousesUnder150K Score
Property Merit 50% · Condition 25% · Price/Sq Ft 15% · Market 10%
| Category | Wt. | Score | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Merit | 50% | 8 | 4BR/2BA 1920 home; hardwood floors, built-ins, pool, shed w/electric, finished basement |
| Condition | 25% | 7 | Metal roof and HWT updated within 8 years; HVAC/windows unknown; partially finished basement |
| Price / Sq Ft | 15% | 8 | Listing $90/sqft vs zip median $135/sqft — 33% below median; 5 comps, directional |
| Price vs. Market | 5% | 4 | Listing $149,900 vs zip median $150,000 — essentially at median, not a discount |
| Market Conditions | 5% | 6 | DOM 30 days, sale-to-list 94.9%, price drops 29.4% — mild buyer's advantage |
The price per square foot is what stops you first. At $90 a foot against a zip median of $135, you're looking at a 33% gap on a 1920 house with four bedrooms, two full baths, a pool, and a metal roof. That's the math. The house itself is what backs it up.
The hardwood floors and built-ins are the real story inside. A 1920 house that still has its original woodwork intact is a different thing from one that has been updated out of its personality. These details run throughout the home, not just in the living room where they photograph well. Two adjacent living rooms give you actual square footage to use, whether that's a dedicated workspace, a playroom, or just room to spread out without stepping on each other.
The layout does something useful on the main floor: primary bedroom, full bath, laundry all together. That's one-level living if you want it, and three more bedrooms upstairs if you have a family that needs the space. The attic has installed flooring, so it's pulling duty as real storage, not just a crawl space. The basement has been finished out previously, used as a rec room and gym, and it reads as genuinely flexible space rather than an afterthought.
Outside, the yard is generous for a village lot. There's a covered back porch with views of the hillside, an above-ground pool, a large shed with electric wired in for a workshop or hobby space, and a second shed at the rear for storage. That's a lot of usable outdoor space within walking distance of schools and downtown.
The honest downside: the HVAC and windows are unknown on age and condition. Budget for the possibility that one or both need attention. The metal roof and hot water tank have both been replaced within eight years, which covers the expensive surprises, but the mechanicals are a gap you'd want to close with an inspection before committing.
At $149,900, you're buying a century-old house with real character and room for a full family. The price per foot is what makes it worth the look.
