This charming century home, located on Main Street in Sanborn, Iowa, embodies early 20th-century architectural style with its classic symmetrical façade, gabled roof, and inviting front porch. Built over 100 years ago, this historic gem offers a glimpse into the town’s rich past while providing modern comforts such as central air conditioning and a natural gas furnace. The interior features gleaming hardwood floors and abundant natural light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Conveniently close to the city park, aquatic center, and library, this 1,100 sq ft property is priced at $79,500, making it an ideal choice for first-time buyers or those seeking a quaint small-town lifestyle.

Side Exterior View

A single-story historic home with pale green horizontal siding and a dark shingled roof. The image highlights a screened-in porch on the left side, featuring dark mesh screening and white trim around the base. Two windows of different sizes punctuate the siding, with a small attic vent beneath a front-facing gable accentuating the roofline. A modest concrete pathway leads from the driveway or street to the porch steps. Surrounding the house is a simple lawn with sparse grass and minimal landscaping, creating an understated yet charming curb appeal under a partly cloudy sky.

Backyard and Shed

A modest backyard area with green grass surrounds a pale green wooden house and detached shed painted in a combination of blue and beige. The house exterior shows horizontal siding with a simple gable roof and a small concrete patio area hosting a metal outdoor table and chairs. A circular window design uniquely accents one side of the house, adding character. The backyard extends with sparse mature trees under a partly cloudy sky, giving a quiet, serene suburban feel. Concrete blocks near the back door suggest a functional, unrefined outdoor space.

Laundry Room Details

A spacious laundry room with a simple, functional layout. Two major appliances, a white dryer and washing machine, are positioned against opposite walls. Wooden cabinets with dark brown finish provide storage above and by the side, complementing a similarly colored wooden wardrobe in the corner. A light cream-colored linoleum floor with subtle geometric patterns covers the space, coordinating with the light beige walls. A single modest light fixture hangs from the ceiling. Natural light filters in softly through a curtained glass door, casting shadows and adding a warm, inviting glow to the otherwise utilitarian space.

Kitchen Interior

A narrow kitchen with a vintage feel, featuring linoleum flooring in a neutral beige pattern that extends throughout the room. The walls are painted with a two-tone scheme: light beige on top and muted taupe on the bottom, separated by a subtle line. Dark wood cabinetry lines the right wall, topped with a pale marbled countertop housing a single basin white sink and a black faucet. On the left, a white gas stove with four burners faces the kitchen interior. Natural light filters in softly through a curtained window and a small lace-curtained window above the refrigerator. The ceiling is plain with a modest chandelier featuring multiple bulbs, adding a touch of classic charm to the otherwise utilitarian space. A white door with a divided glass window is framed by molded trim, enhancing the historic character of the room. Overall, the kitchen balances simplicity and vintage elements with functional layout and subdued, earthy tones.

Kitchen Cabinetry and Appliances

Dark wood cabinetry with a traditional paneled design lines one wall, both above and below a white marbled countertop that extends to include a built-in sink. A small window above the sink is framed by cabinetry, painted in muted brown tones that contrast with the pale upper walls. The room has high ceilings and classic trim with simple molding around the doorways and windows. A white refrigerator stands to the left beside a window with wooden blinds and lace curtains. The flooring is a neutral, speckled linoleum, and a five-light brass chandelier hangs overhead, adding a vintage touch. Visible through the doorway is a bedroom with striped bedding and similar window treatments, maintaining a historic yet functional aesthetic.

Living Room Seating Area

Long and spacious living room with polished hardwood floors and soft yellow painted walls creating a warm atmosphere. Two large windows along one wall allow natural light through sheer floral curtains and wooden blinds. Furnished with vintage floral-patterned sofas positioned at opposite ends and a couple of gray armchairs, emphasizing a cozy, traditional feel. Two antique-style pendant light fixtures hang from the ceiling. A small wooden TV stand holds a television near one window. The overall décor is simple and classic, with an emphasis on open space and natural light.

Living Room

The room has warm yellow walls contrasted by white trim around doorways and windows. The floor is polished wood, creating a natural tone that adds warmth to the space. A floral-patterned sofa sits between a blue recliner and a small rug, suggesting a cozy seating nook. On the opposite side of the room, two armchairs in muted green-gray are positioned near a window dressed with semi-sheer curtains featuring embroidered patterns. A vintage hanging light fixture hangs near the corner, while heavy red curtains cover a door, adding a touch of boldness to the otherwise soft and inviting atmosphere.

Hallway Corner

A narrow hallway or small room corner features vintage wallpaper with repeating floral medallion patterns in muted beige and gold tones. The hardwood floor shows wear and adds rustic charm. Natural light filters through a single window draped with sheer lace curtains, casting soft shadows on the floor. Crown molding and wide baseboards in off-white frame the walls and doorways. A unique geometric pendant light hangs from the ceiling, hinting at the home’s historic character. A modern white tower fan and a red storage bin occupy the far corner, blending subtle contemporary elements into the space.

Hallway with Doors

The space features warm-toned hardwood floors leading through a narrow hallway lined with vintage wallpaper in a beige and muted gold floral pattern. Cream-colored wood trim surrounds doorways, with simple yet classic molding details. Three doors open to adjacent rooms, each with white-painted wooden doors and black hardware. One door reveals a small closet or storage area containing shelves with boots and folded clothes. An old-fashioned brass pendant light hangs centrally from the ceiling. Natural light casts intricate shadows on the floor, creating a cozy, nostalgic ambiance of mid-century design.

Entryway to Living Room

Soft yellow walls with crisp white trim frame two doorways leading into adjoining rooms. The larger opening reveals a glimpse of a living area with warm wood floors and a floral upholstered armchair. The smaller doorway appears to lead to a closet or storage space, containing clothing and shelving. The hardwood floor extends continuously through this space, suggesting cohesion between rooms. A distinctive vintage hanging lantern with intricate metalwork adds character to the ceiling, reinforcing the home’s historic charm. Tall baseboards and classic molding detail add to the period elegance of the space.

Bedroom and Office Nook

A narrow bedroom space with a single bed positioned along one wall, dressed in a striped comforter of navy, white, and grey tones. Opposite the bed is a wooden desk with a hutch, functioning as a small office area, complete with a desktop computer and a chair. A Native American woven tapestry hangs on the far wall, providing a cultural accent against the textured, aged walls that suggest original plaster or historical finishes. A beige, striped sofa sits beneath two tall windows covered with beige blinds that diffuse natural light, creating a cozy yet rustic atmosphere within the room.

Bathroom Details

Soft turquoise walls envelop a small, vintage bathroom housing a classic clawfoot bathtub partially concealed by a white and gray leaf-patterned shower curtain. A clear, textured plastic liner is pinned beside the fabric curtain, suggesting practical use. Above a simple pedestal sink hangs a distressed cream-colored wooden cabinet with mesh doors and a scalloped top, adding rustic charm and storage. The sink is equipped with a basic faucet and liquid soap dispenser. A metal shower caddy holds toiletries, while an old-fashioned light bulb sits on the sink. The floor is modest, with exposed plumbing adding to the utilitarian aesthetic.

Attic Space

Sloped ceilings and wooden floorboards define this attic area, with insulation foam covering the angled roof surfaces. Two small dormer windows punctuate the space, allowing soft natural light to enter and highlight the rough texture of the insulation. A simple wooden table and sawhorses stand near the center, suggesting occasional use for small projects or storage. The muted yellow-green hue of the insulation contrasts subtly with the darker, weathered wood floor. The exposed support beam in the middle adds a rustic, structural element, emphasizing the attic’s unfinished and utilitarian character.

Basement Utility Space

Exposed wooden ceiling beams reveal the home’s structural framework, complemented by visible metal ductwork and piping. The floor is bare concrete, scattered with rolled-up carpet remnants and some tools, hinting at ongoing maintenance or renovations. Painted cinder block walls add utilitarian charm, while several white support columns provide stability. A central water heater tank and a few other HVAC components occupy the space. A wooden staircase with visible steps ascends to the upper floor, and a small window allows natural light to softly illuminate the otherwise dim area, emphasizing its raw and functional character.

Unfinished Basement

Exposed ceiling joists and visible ductwork dominate the low ceiling of this expansive basement, providing an industrial and raw aesthetic. The concrete floor is unpolished and shows signs of wear with visible cracks. Pale green painted brick walls enclose the space, creating a subtle muted color scheme. Metal support columns are evenly spaced throughout, ensuring structural stability. A stairway with pale wooden steps leads upward, while a workbench sits against the far wall alongside some scattered rolled-up carpet and a small vacuum cleaner. The room has minimal natural light filtering through small windows near the ceiling.

Listing Agent: Jeri Prins of Elgersma Agency Inc via Zillow