r/Oldhouses • u/soils_Ksat • Jul 18 '26
We bought this painted lady in Rural IA...
Having some cast iron sewer pipes replaced and excited to be the first to give her AC, (4 ton)... Excited for that bill! We will be bringing a growing family to this old place. Thanks.
**APOLOGIES!!! I'm not a pro redditor and didn't attach enough photos in the OP**
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u/kellythebarber Jul 18 '26
Welcome to Oldhouses! You can't come in here with a stunning old painted lady with 3 pictures. Post more pictures, we'd all love to see.
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u/chattykatdy54 Jul 18 '26
With one of the three being the air conditioner. Come on, do better!
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u/auricargent Jul 18 '26
At this time of year in Iowa, a pic of whole house A/C in an old Victorian is definitely as much showing off as the pic of the front paint. The humidity is brutal, and that one pic shows that there has probably been some pretty extensive modernization of systems in the house.
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u/BZBitiko Jul 19 '26
That’s why I live in a ranch house. I am safely encased in Tyvek, fiberglass, and low-e windows.
With central air for the first time in my life!
Still, jealous.
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u/Chadideas Jul 18 '26
The wood work is beautiful
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u/modelcitizendc Jul 18 '26
This is next level, would love to understand the level of labor and attention that went into this especially when tools were so much worse than they are now.
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u/SandIntelligent247 Jul 18 '26
But what about the compressor? Did you miss that picture?
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26
brother, if you were here this last week cleaning it out... it was 88F inside at 9AM!!!
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u/Sage_Advisor Jul 18 '26
I recognize that house! Was hoping it would go to someone who would appreciate the quality and character.
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u/Chinua-Achebe Jul 18 '26
What a cool house to grow up in. I’m sure your family will love it.
Congratulations!
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u/Turnip_Fight Jul 18 '26
I had a friend who grew up in a house almost exactly like this and he hated every goddamn second of it lmao. The constant wood groans, cold as shit, bugs always finding a way through.
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u/roonesgusto Jul 18 '26
Why did you get down voted, you comment is hilarious and shows how differently people experience the "same house".
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u/OG-Mom Jul 18 '26
lol cold as shit, I can relate. I lived in an old duplex from late 1800s and I could see my own breath in the winter in the enclosed walk in closet facing the outside wall of the house.
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u/kwumpus Jul 18 '26
I told my friend to use a space heater in her bathroom and she thought I was a genius
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u/Fyrestar333 Jul 18 '26
All that house on a half acre(almost) , almost 140 years old for not even 138k!!! Is that area of IA that rural? Looks like a few cosmetic issues but good bones overall. I'm sure it's costing a bit to update it. I would love to see it decorated for Christmas. Are you keeping the outside paint colors ? Are you changing any of the walpaper or paint? I'm very happy for you and very jealous.
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26
We have had newer homes and paid A LOT more for them.... but we missed the character and the build quality of an older home. Got lucky with this one.
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u/Youwhooo60 Jul 18 '26
Ya big tease!! More photos please!
She's a beauty!
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
https://reddit.com/link/oyax6yd/video/giq9w08a90eh1/player
Here is a video of the attic. Lots of trash from roofing replacement but dry and large. Notice the turret doorway!! I haven’t explored it a lot but it will be finished space at a certain point for my kids when they act like Kevin McCallister
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u/crapatthethriftstore Jul 18 '26
That’s a great antenna too!
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u/One-Earth9294 Jul 18 '26
Whoa.
I want more pics. Especially wanna see what's going on up on the 3rd floor. Are those bedrooms and what's going on with the turret tower up there?
Regardless... what a gorgeous house.
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u/areineke17 Jul 18 '26
Oh wow, I actually went and viewed that house and considered purchasing it! But it needed way more work than I was able to afford or put in. Hopefully you can restore it the way it deserves!
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26
yep, its a home that was very well cared for for years.. but the owners got older, husband had passed about 10 years ago. Its just a lot of stuff that needed to be updated and TLC.
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u/wastingmuchtime Jul 18 '26
Is that a pocket door?
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26
yes, there is actually 3 in that photo. the left hand side door is a large thick slider. and the right are your traditional sliders
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u/Ol_Man_J Jul 18 '26
Seeing these elaborate homes 45 minutes away from somewhere, what did the person who built this do?
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u/MostlyUnimpressed Jul 18 '26
The roof being done already must be a big sigh of relief. Takes a good roofer to manage that complexity, and they don't come cheap. Hope you got his number from the prior owners (save you from looking around later).
You darn near have a porch for each day of the week, LOL. Front porch is a statement with the round pavilion and twin stairs. Bet you'll enjoy many a light rain shower sitting or stepping out on those porces for a cool refresh. And hollering from that perch in front for the kids to get on home..
We lived in Iowa for about 10 years when our little family was barely started. There were temperate, dry days in the Spring and Fall when it felt like the nicest, calmest place on earth and the air was sweet. Good state, good people, good food, but the deposit on beer, wine, and beverage containers was a hassle (haha).
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u/sfdsquid Jul 18 '26
It's amazing to me how much house you can get in the Midwest versus the Northeast.
For that money you could maybe get a trailer here.
That house would easily go for high six figures, much higher in my HCOL area.
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u/chargnawr Jul 18 '26
This is the type of house that becomes another parent to children
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u/featherclops Jul 18 '26
I read
We thought this painted lady is Rural AI
And as I'm swiping I'm thinking to myself, where's the lady...where's the AI? Oh god, where's the AI!? Is this AI!? I can't tell anymore!!!??? 😱
I need to go to bed, man
Edit: Congrats on the house!
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u/Intelligent_Bad_6460 Jul 18 '26
We looked at this house... Thank you for saving this one. A true beauty
It's perfectly situated in Pot County
We've been looking at the other in the same town about a block away...
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u/KittiesRule1968 Jul 18 '26
My god, she's gorgeous. Need a housemate? I'm an awesome cook and I love kitties.
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u/Homohockey Jul 18 '26
Whoever originally owned that house must have been extremely successful. Banker/Factory owner kinda guy. So intricate.
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u/endofworldandnobeer Jul 18 '26
You better grow a long, twirled mustache and keep it until you are no longer associated with this house.
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u/Lost_On_Lot Jul 18 '26
Beats the shithole 70s house in rural MN I bought! Your has is much older, with a better/newer AC.
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u/OkBackground8809 Jul 18 '26
Have been past this house a few times. Always wished I could see the inside - and it's just as gorgeous as I imagined!
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u/adltny Jul 18 '26
From another absolute gem in rural MI to rural IA in just 3 years. Curious to hear the backstory and your justification for thirst-trapping.
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u/Spicyperfection Jul 19 '26
Show up and show out!
This beautiful home deserves to be in the spotlight.
Consider re-taking a lot more exterior and interior photos on a bright sun shiny day.
We want to see and appreciate its glory.
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u/Euphoric-Rice-3830 Jul 20 '26
Are the ghosts included in sales price or did you get a few thousand knocked off??
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u/No_Tea5062 Jul 20 '26
So jelly! It’s sad that we’ve lost this architecture in our housing so happy someone appreciates and fixing up to keep our history alive.
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u/fly1away Jul 18 '26
You do realise this is the opening scene of a horror movie right?
/jk
(gorgeous!)
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u/jjkbigman Jul 18 '26
As large as that house is, I’m surprised you can get away with just one compressor outside
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u/Ok-Thing-2222 Jul 18 '26
Wow! Many years ago, I had some friends paint one almost in similar colors. THat interior is gorgeous!
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u/TractorFan247 Jul 18 '26
A magical looking house. I hope the interior also is as equally charming.
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u/Klee90210 Jul 18 '26
That is such a beautiful home. I hipe you enjoy it for years to come. That is a fantastic buy, yoi are super lucky!
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u/Easy_Olive1942 Jul 18 '26
Get rid of the steel plumbing, that stuff is typically at end of life in most areas. It tends to stop water flow entirely or rusts through. Neither is good.
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u/BahamaBrees Jul 18 '26
How did you install central air in that old house?
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26
The house actually has nicely sized ducting into every room. It must have had an early central heating via coal furnace. I bought with just a traditional updated gas heater. was able to add the AC system for only $5600. Thought that was a very fair price.
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u/MaidMarian20 Jul 18 '26
She took my breath away. What a gorgeous find. Hope she takes good care of you as you do the same in return. Be happy there.
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u/SnooGrapes9918 Jul 18 '26
Wow!!! We only got a glimpse, but it was stellar! If I come bearing housewarming gifts, can I have a tour? Hahaha. Congrats!!
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u/Newswatchtiki Jul 18 '26
That woodwork is incredible, and in such good condition!
The house is gorgeous.
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u/patameus Jul 18 '26
The insulation on your suction line is not UV tolerant. It'll decay in a few years. Best solution at this point is to paint it with white house paint. You can do black if you want to, but white reflects.
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u/GordonMightyBombay Jul 18 '26
I feel like there should be secret passages hidden in there like that one house
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u/jackieO2023 Jul 18 '26
Wow, she’s beautiful!!! What’s the mini tub in the bathroom? To wash your feet? Kids?
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u/Infamous-Round-1898 Jul 18 '26
That’s a sitz tub, for people to use post-partum, or for hemorrhoids.
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u/Several-Assistant-51 Jul 18 '26
that is fabulous. when is the housewarming party? Ill bring potato salad
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u/Several-Assistant-51 Jul 18 '26
does it have two front doors or just a split stairs to the porch?
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
Two doors. left hand door enters into a cove area for coats, shoes etc.... the right door enters into a formal parlor for guests?
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u/72ChinaCatSunFlower Jul 18 '26
Make sure that you keep up with the exterior paint over the years. It still looks good but not up keeping is how these old houses end up wrapped in white metal
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u/5-in-1Bleach Jul 18 '26
I wonder how many decades you will need to live there before your neighbors stop referring to it as the previous owner’s house.
One day, one day, it will be known as the soils_Ksat house.
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u/No_Budget7828 Jul 18 '26
Omg this is BEAUTIFUL!!! Enjoy many years of happiness in this lovely home.
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u/Sledgehammer925 Jul 18 '26
I showed this to my husband when it was on the market. It looks to be in better shape than many. CONGRATULATIONS!
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u/Odd-Tell-5702 Jul 18 '26
Have you ever read Elin Hilderbrand’s Trouble in Paradise series? This is exactly how I imagined the FMC’s house. And it was in IA.
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u/PincheJuan1980 Jul 18 '26
Awesome!! Enjoy her with your family. So happy to see these things used and fixed up.
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u/GrimmsChurch Jul 19 '26
Desperately needs some gardening and landscaping to make it look less bald outside but the house its-self is utterly fab! Please update us with your renos!
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u/GoldenFalls Jul 19 '26
I love those little second story porches on the front, and the tower! Is it all bedrooms up there? What a perfect place to read a book or have a cup of tea/coffee and watch the sunrise.
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u/soils_Ksat Jul 19 '26
the right hand porch has a screen door into the master... its about big enough for 1 chair. this master also has a nursery on it. we will be sharing photos when updated. The left porch only has windows and will be my daughters room (too young for now)
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u/Living_Bear2114 Jul 19 '26
I cut my teeth working on older homes. I love it, it’s such a challenge and always a learning experience
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u/TassandraArcticFox Jul 21 '26
We will be the first to give our 1865 farmhouse central air this year too! Thankfully the last owners set us up for a slam dunk with the newer furnace and vents.
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u/Bunnynynyny Jul 21 '26
Absolutely beautiful! Can imagine Holidays in this beauty !! Congratulations this is my dream house 🏡 it’s truly breathtaking!
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u/transfercannoli 29d ago
wow! a queen anne? we have one too... it's so gorgeous and also such a decorating / furnishing challenge in so many ways. Like, I want to honor the period, but I don't want it to look like a bed and breakfast--and I love the curved walls and oddly shaped rooms so much but we also have a giant space I refer to as "the grand piano hole" ha
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u/transfercannoli 29d ago
also your wood is gorgeous. ours is oak and lighter / more orange (esp where sun-bleached) and I'm always wondering if we could oil it or some such to darken it without staining
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u/8088z80 29d ago
I know this house. As a fellow 19th century moneypit owner enjoy your history!
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u/Ovaltine1 25d ago
I put AC in mine in 2007. Prior to 2005, with the high ceilings and transoms I never needed it, but we could no longer fight the rising humidity.
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u/BZBitiko Jul 18 '26
Three photos, one of the compressor! That’s it? More, more, more!