Elizabeth Finkelstein and her husband, Ethan Finkelstein, are the brains behind the popular Instagram and newsletter Cheap Old Houses. Together, they restore historic homes in HGTV’s series Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House? Elizabeth grew up in an 1850s home lovingly restored by her parents, so her love for crown molding and peeling wallpaper runs in her gene pool. She holds a master’s degree in historic preservation and has put in years of professional work restoring old houses. While not filming or nurturing the vast and wonderful @cheapoldhouses community, the couple spends time restoring their own cheap old farmhouse — a little slice of heaven they snagged for a cool $70,000.  ","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/c56889a1-08d5-45ca-a9a2-5b6b78f416f5.jpg","email":"[email protected]","sameAs":["www.facebook.com/cheapoldhouse","www.instagram.com/cheapoldhouses"]},"@context":"http://schema.org","about":{"@type":"ItemList","numberOfItems":6,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Bass Harbor, ME ","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/real-estate/g19271380/small-country-homes-for-sale/#slide-1","description":"Painted farmhouse-style floors lend a splash of color to the upstairs of this two-bedroom, two-bath cottage. In the summer, you’ll delight in decorating the window boxes while taking in breezes from the nearby shore. Agent: Erika Wibby Mitchell; swanagency.com or zillow.comListing price: $174,000","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/country-listings-bass-harbor-cl-0418-1520563002.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Burlington, NC","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/real-estate/g19271380/small-country-homes-for-sale/#slide-2","description":"An iconic red-white-and-blue pole beckons you inside this barber shop-turned-home where a cherry-toned micro kitchen packs a playful punch. Beadboard walls and ceilings add additional character to this one-bedroom, one-bath space.Agent: Lisa Dye Janes; weichert.comListing price: $72,000","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/country-listings-burlington-cl-0418-1520563003.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Lake City, MN ","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/real-estate/g19271380/small-country-homes-for-sale/#slide-3","description":"This miniature Victorian farmhouse is small on space but big on vintage charm—it boasts floors and interior woodwork from the 1880s. A wood-burning stove keeps the one-bedroom, one-bath home cozy without feeling cramped. Agent: Robin Gwaltney; gwaltneygroup.comListing price: $79,900 RELATED: 10 Tiny Houses You Can Buy On Amazon","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/country-listings-lake-city-cl-0418-1520563000.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Pass Christian, MS ","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/real-estate/g19271380/small-country-homes-for-sale/#slide-4","description":"A cottage so nice, they made it twice! This listing includes a nearly identical adjacent second home—for a combined two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The cottages were built in the 1880s and moved to this spot (just a short walk from the beach!). Agent: Amy P. Wood; amywoodproperties.comListing price: $375,000","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/country-listings-pass-christian-cl-0418-1520563000.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Darlington, MD","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/real-estate/g19271380/small-country-homes-for-sale/#slide-5","description":"This one-bedroom, one-bath cabin has an artful past—it was once the home and studio of a watercolor artist. While lovingly renovated, classic touches remain, like the exposed hewn log walls lining a portion of the interior. Agent: Tracey Simms; traceyproperties.comAgent: Tracey Simms; traceyproperties.comListing price: $190,000","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/country-listings-darlington-cl-0418-1520563003.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":6,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Sandwich, MA","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/real-estate/g19271380/small-country-homes-for-sale/#slide-6","description":"Newly renovated with floorboards salvaged from a tobacco mill, this two-­bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath Cape Cod is situated close to the popular boardwalk. Don’t miss the serene views of the marsh located just behind the home. Agent: Lisa Hassler; historichomescapecod.comListing price: $335,000","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/country-listings-sandwich-cl-0418-1520562999.jpg"}}]}}

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Downsizers Take Note: These 6 Small Homes for Sale Are Totally Charming (and Affordable!)

These houses are a (very cute) steal.

By
small country homes for salepinterest
Susan Paradise-Burke

These small wonders are no longer hidden gems! One’s a former art studio, another a quaint barber shop, and they all pack in the tiny charm in less than 1,200 square feet.

1

Bass Harbor, ME

small country homes for sale
Mike Perlman

Painted farmhouse-style floors lend a splash of color to the upstairs of this two-bedroom, two-bath cottage. In the summer, you’ll delight in decorating the window boxes while taking in breezes from the nearby shore.

Agent: Erika Wibby Mitchell; swanagency.com or zillow.com

Listing price: $174,000

2

Burlington, NC

small country homes for sale
John Elkins Photography

An iconic red-white-and-blue pole beckons you inside this barber shop-turned-home where a cherry-toned micro kitchen packs a playful punch. Beadboard walls and ceilings add additional character to this one-bedroom, one-bath space.

Agent: Lisa Dye Janes; weichert.com

Listing price: $72,000

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3

Lake City, MN

small country homes for sale
Ken McCasland

This miniature Victorian farmhouse is small on space but big on vintage charm—it boasts floors and interior woodwork from the 1880s. A wood-burning stove keeps the one-bedroom, one-bath home cozy without feeling cramped.

Agent: Robin Gwaltney; gwaltneygroup.com

Listing price: $79,900

RELATED: 10 Tiny Houses You Can Buy On Amazon

4

Pass Christian, MS

small country homes for sale
Drew Tarter/Imoto Photo

A cottage so nice, they made it twice! This listing includes a nearly identical adjacent second home—for a combined two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The cottages were built in the 1880s and moved to this spot (just a short walk from the beach!).

Agent: Amy P. Wood; amywoodproperties.com

Listing price: $375,000

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5

Darlington, MD

small country homes for sale
Virtuance

This one-bedroom, one-bath cabin has an artful past—it was once the home and studio of a watercolor artist. While lovingly renovated, classic touches remain, like the exposed hewn log walls lining a portion of the interior. Agent: Tracey Simms; traceyproperties.com

Agent: Tracey Simms; traceyproperties.com

Listing price: $190,000

6

Sandwich, MA

small country homes for sale
Susan Paradise-Burke

Newly renovated with floorboards salvaged from a tobacco mill, this two-­bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath Cape Cod is situated close to the popular boardwalk. Don’t miss the serene views of the marsh located just behind the home.

Agent: Lisa Hassler; historichomescapecod.com

Listing price: $335,000

Headshot of Elizabeth Finkelstein

Elizabeth Finkelstein and her husband, Ethan Finkelstein, are the brains behind the popular Instagram and newsletter Cheap Old Houses. Together, they restore historic homes in HGTV’s series Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House? Elizabeth grew up in an 1850s home lovingly restored by her parents, so her love for crown molding and peeling wallpaper runs in her gene pool. She holds a master’s degree in historic preservation and has put in years of professional work restoring old houses. While not filming or nurturing the vast and wonderful @cheapoldhouses community, the couple spends time restoring their own cheap old farmhouse — a little slice of heaven they snagged for a cool $70,000.  

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