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Kit houses were the latest thing in North America a hundred years ago. It’s estimated that between 1908 and 1940, more than 100,000 kit homes were sold. These houses made the latest technology–central heating, indoor plumbing, electricity–available at an affordable price. The purchaser would receive all of the supplies by rail for assembly either by the homeowner or a local builder.
Sears issued its first specialty catalog, Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans, in 1908, featuring 44 house styles priced from $360-$2,890. This house in Jamesport is the Hamilton model from 1926, which cost $2,195. (By the way, $2,195 in 2021 dollars is $32,616.71. This property is in contract at $590,000. A good investment! Though of course, the $2,195 didn’t include the land.)
This house, repped by Cheryl Schneider and Regan Battuello at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, is rather obviously owned by an artist or artistic soul. We were initially repelled by the zesty citrus colors the wood trim is painted, but finally decided we liked it a lot. Obviously, too, the living room, dining room and kitchen have been knocked together into one large room.
Set on 0.46 of an acre, there’s plenty of room for a pool. We hope the new owner keeps its vintage quirky charm.