skip to main content

Sears kit house for the cost of moving it

10 years ago

In Arlington VA, where the term "scraper" can apply to any house of less than seven zillion square feet, a developer is offering a Sears kit house free. The cost to move it is estimated at $50k, and of course one must have a lot to put it on.

It is not the most fetching of the Sears houses, but had I not just bought a house to renovate in September, I would have been all over this like a cheap suit.

Please, someone, take it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sears kit house on offer

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

honorbiltkit
Original Author
10 years ago
I do not think that this is actually a Sears home, as I cannot find either the facade or the name "Wellington" in the Sears archive. It may well be a kit home by another company operating in the 1920's.

In any case, as the listing below indicates, it is quite small but quite charming and could be reinstalled with modest expansions by whomever claims it.

A look at Streetview in the map in the listing indicates why it could not stay where it is. It is dwarfed by behemoths of more modern and much more pedestrian design.

Here is a link that might be useful: Listing with photos for house on offer.
jmc01
10 years ago
here you go - from 1925.

I wish we could take this on!

Here is a link that might be useful: Wellington
Related Discussions
Modifying a Sears Kit Home floor plan?
Q
Comments (12)
Thanks - this is fun! I would like to envision that the third floor was at least a bonus room utilizing attic trusses. I've scoured Pinterest for images of attics with built in beds and love the idea of a bunkhouse-esque spare room. I've been playing around with this too but nothing 100% satisfactory yet. I attempted to move the upstairs bath back by the sleeping porch and wound up with a very strange H-shaped hallway, which seems like wasted space to me. I don't think a master suite is really necessary, though having a slightly larger bedroom than the kids' rooms would be nice. A cozy, yet comfortable, 3 bed, 1.5 bath house would be perfect - a large kitchen is a must! So when I was playing around I extended the kitchen up, adding some square footage, to accommodate an island with stools. Maybe in the next day or two I'll post a pic of my tweakings :) But first I need to get my holiday baking done! LL- your place sounds lovely! I would definitely landscape in large shrubs, peonies, periwinkle, hostas; like you said, a little overgrown and casual but charming.
...See More
Anyone move their washer to a new house?
Q
Comments (6)
The dryer doesn't need anything. I have the 2688 & matching dryer :) Parts are also avaliable from http://www3.sears.com/ type in part # or model number (drop-down menu) Wild cards are allowed: WM2688* The part numbers are: upper short bolt: 4011FR3159E $4.49ea lower long bolt : 4011FR3159D $5.99ea spanner wrench : 3W20018B $ 2.99 ea + shipping the bolts are re-usable, unlike some other washer brands heres a link you may find helpful: Here is a link that might be useful: LG Service & Parts manuals PDF downloads
...See More
Progress on Sears kit house
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks for the compliments. This has been and remains a long haul, and it helps to know that other people think it's worthwhile. sivlayleah -- It does sound as though our projects are similar, although I am sure your house started life more up-market than mine. But I am pretty happy with the house. However shabby it looked, it was relatively pristine. It is probably the only Sears kit in the neighborhood (there are quite a few, as the railroad runs within a couple miles) that has not been clad in vinyl siding, had its porch enclosed, or been otherwise horribly violated. marita -- I hope the inside will be ready to see by October. It is not as cute as the outside, an in some ways it will be less carefully finished. E.g., the kitchen will have come completely from craigslist, ebay, and ikea. But with the new windows having gone in last week, I can at least see that the natural light inside is pretty good, despite the porch roof. arlosmom -- My neighbors are very complimentary but they have chosen to ignore the hat I put out to allow them to monetize their appreciation. (Actually, I am usually sweaty and dirty when they see me, and they may find me on the whole alarming.) moccasinlanding and krycek -- If you click the "before" photo twice, you will see that there is concrete sidewalk parallel to the bamboo bed on either side of the charming chainlink fence. You will also see why I wanted to have a living screen up as soon as possible. And I do keep on top of the new shoots, cutting those that arise in unfortunate locations to the ground, even though it grieves me to do so. Cheers and thanks again.
...See More
Sears home
Q
Comments (11)
Sleeper, when they told me the cost of the restoration, I was shocked. It's a beautiful house and a top-notch rehab, but it was well in excess of $1,000,000. However, had it not been restored, the house would have probably suffered the same fate as the Nebraska Magnolia. For a long time, it was believed that there were only six Magnolias built but that was an apocryphal story (turns out). Of the eight Magnolias that are now known, THREE were found thanks to some kind soul telling me that they had found a Magnolia. And one of the kind souls was someone here at KT :D There are a LOT of clues for identifying kit homes. This is the big deal. Look for marked lumber!! These marks - together with that 75-page instruction book - helped the novice homebuilder figure out how to assembled those 12,000 pieces of house! If you find these marks on your home's framing members, you have a kit home. How cool is that? And here's a kit home recently discovered in Baltimore, MD. It's the Sears Pennsgrove, and is probably the only version of this house ever built. The house was built in 1931, as THE model for the Sears Pennsgrove. That photo in the catalog is THE picture of the Baltimore house. Here is a link that might be useful: How to identify a kit home
...See More
lavender_lass
10 years ago
Cute house! I hope someone can take advantage of such a wonderful opportunity :)
maryinthefalls
10 years ago
looks like somebody did. The listing link says its sold.
dekeoboe
10 years ago
looks like somebody did. The listing link says its sold.

That is for the people who bought it for the lot and are now offering the house for free.
lascatx
10 years ago
My first home was built just a year or two later and was VERY similar. It had a hall between the living areas and bedrooms and the bath was at the back of the house. I loved that house!
rosemaryt
10 years ago
I think it is indeed a Sears Wellington, however...
Why buy an old house if all you want to do is bulldoze it? What is the point??

It costs upwards of $100,000 to move a house in an area such as Arlington and that doesn't even touch on the lot costs. No one is going to pay this kind of money to move a 900-square-foot house.

To me, this is akin to taking your 14-year-old dog to the SPCA because you don't have the nerve to put it down yourself.

At what point do we decide that we have destroyed *ENOUGH* Sears Houses in this country? And what point do people stop tearing them down to build shiny new plasticine palaces, which, by the way, will be in need of replacement in 30-50 years? At what point do we act like we give a *$ about our architectural history?

This house is doomed and I am sorry to see all the publicity this "story" has been given.

Rose Thornton

This post was edited by rosemaryt on Wed, Jan 29, 14 at 13:02
concretenprimroses
10 years ago
People do move houses. I hope someone does take this one. It looks so charming.
Kathy
civ_IV_fan
10 years ago
i think the people who bought this $750,000 lot are too cheap to pay for proper demolition. it reminds me of when people try to give away walnut trees that they are too cheap to have removed properly.

something tells me what goes up in its stead is going to be second-rate, even by today's standards.

Related Stories

LIFE The Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties

By Becky Harris

Gather these must-haves in advance for a smooth move and more comfortable first days in your new home

Kit Houses Stand the Test of Time

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

See how these mass-produced catalog houses have made their way into the modern day

HOME GYMS Houzz Your Workout: Home Gyms That Get You Moving

By Stacy Briscoe

Get inspired by these fitness-minded Houzz users, whose exercise rooms raise the bar(bell)

LIFE 7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Get life in a new house off to a great start with fresh paint and switch plates, new locks, a deep cleaning — and something on those windows

MOVING The All-in-One-Place Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving

By Laura Gaskill

Stay organized with this advice on what to do when you change homes

SELLING YOUR HOUSE A Moving Diary: Lessons From Selling My Home

By Laura Gaskill

After 79 days of home cleaning, staging and — at last — selling, a mom comes away with a top must-do for her next abode

MOVING Relocating? Here’s How to Make the Big Move Better

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Moving guide, Part 1: How to organize your stuff and your life for an easier household move

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Move Water Through Your Landscape

By Falon Mihalic

Swales, underground pipes or a mix of both: There’s more than one way to distribute water in the garden

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz TV: See a Modern Family Farmhouse That Can Pick Up and Move

By Vanessa Brunner

In the latest episode of Houzz TV, watch California architect build a beautifully practical cabin to jumpstart his parents' new farm

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Updating suggestions please!

3

Before and after - antique cottage kitchen

26

Help with lighting & arranging small, dark, narrow living room 1840's

1

Addition/floor plan help in a duplex

16

Crown moulding or IKEA deco strip - views?

5