Many buyers are snapping up cheap old houses and taking on huge renovation projects. Social media platforms like Instagram are full of these stories. Accounts such as Cheap Old Houses show properties for less than $100,000 in far-off places. These homes may be filled with charm and history, but they also come with big challenges.

Elizabeth Finkelstein runs one of these popular accounts. She and her husband Ethan left Brooklyn for upstate New York. They bought an 18th-century house for $70,000. Their goal is to show that owning a home is possible, even in today’s high-priced market. They hope that by fixing up old houses, they can save a piece of history while offering a new way to live.

In Momence, Illinois, Bea and Mike Francis-MacRae fell in love with a five-bedroom Italianate house. They found the home on Instagram and acted quickly. Mike put in a sealed bid of $76,000, and soon they had the keys. The house was built in the 1860s and is 3,688 square feet. It had sat empty for almost four years. When they first visited, they saw damp walls, thick 1980s carpets, and signs of raccoon damage. The reality was much worse than the pictures showed. They now plan to spend around $200,000 on repairs. The couple shares their journey on Instagram with the account Making Momence. They are excited but also aware of the hard work ahead.

Over in Germany, Robert and Kim Sehl made a surprising purchase. They found the Lampelburg hotel on Cheap Old Houses. The property in Ebersbach-Neugersdorf was listed for $85,000. It used to be part of a castle. Now, only its old walls and roof remain. The Sehls want to open a pub and restaurant in the building. The work needed is heavy. The roof leaked, wood rotted, and many areas need repair. Robert, a contractor by trade, works extra jobs to save money for the renovation. They hope to open the restaurant next year and eventually move there full time.

In Salem, Ohio, artist Taki Gold took on an even bigger project. He bought a former schoolhouse for $63,500. The building is huge, about 40,000 square feet. When he visited, he found asbestos in the walls. Removing the toxic material is expected to cost about $200,000. Taki loves the grand look of the schoolhouse. The red brick and large windows remind him of a European castle. He sees the project as part of his journey to heal from a difficult past. He has spent long hours stripping away old materials and cleaning up the space. Friends have volunteered to help him as he works to turn the building into a creative haven.

Oregon-born Dani and Evan Benton took a different path on Omishima Island in Japan. They bought an old folk house and a traditional ryokan for just $18,000. They also purchased two small plots of farmland nearby. Their plan is to turn one house into a guesthouse and live in the other. Life on the island is simple. They have no hot water at home and often use the public baths. The couple faces language barriers and many repairs. Neighbors have helped by donating old antiques and tools. Dani and Evan hope that with time, they can fully restore the buildings and build a new life on the island.

In upstate New York, Cristiana Peña and Nick Porter bought an 18th-century church for $99,999. The church came with a separate outbuilding. When they explored the building, they discovered a hidden mural under thick plaster. The discovery filled them with hope. Now, they face many challenges. The roof has large holes, there is mould from years of damp, and the plumbing needs a complete overhaul. They plan to install new heating and other modern systems. The couple believes that fixing up the church will allow them to preserve a piece of history while making it a home.

These stories show that buying a cheap old house can be full of surprises. While the purchase price may be low, the cost and effort of renovation are high. The charm of owning a historic home comes with many risks and challenges. Yet many buyers are drawn to the idea of saving a piece of the past. They see these projects as a way to keep history alive and to create something new from old bones. For them, the journey of restoration is hard work, but it is also full of hope and reward.