It never ceases to amaze us how much comfort and character can be found in a home that costs less than $100,000.

We’re not talking condos or apartments here. We mean standalone homes with yards, porches, garages, and easy access to local schools, shops, restaurants, and other services—so many of the things you dream about when envisioning a home of your own.

We found five lovely options this week, from ultrasmall to surprisingly large (with five bedrooms). Granted, a few of them need a little, or a lot, of TLC. But at these prices, you can certainly afford to fix them up.

They might not be in the nation’s biggest metro areas, but these cheaper homes in smaller towns mean you won’t have to worry about supersized mortgage payments.

Take a look at these darling pads all priced below $100,000!

723 Arnold Ave, Greenville, MS

Price: $99,800
Blue belle: This could be the cutest little cottage with the smallest price you’ll ever see. It’s completely renovated inside and out, yet it retains original features such as a cozy brick fireplace and a decorative, built-in alcove for your favorite knickknacks or a sleeping cat.

The 1,347-square-foot home has three bedrooms and one bath. It sits on a 9,065-square-foot, leafy lot. It features a new roof, new central heating and air, and a tastefully designed new kitchen with gray Shaker cabinets and a new stove.

On the market for almost three months, the home recently had a price cut from $102,800. It’s a great opportunity for someone who wants to live close to scenic Lake Ferguson and the Mississippi River.

———

1223 Short St, Port Huron, MI

Price: $89,999
Good bones: Pay no attention to all that mess inside. Even though the listing photos show that this 1950-built cottage has awfully sloppy renters and, shall we say, an eclectic interior paint job, that doesn’t mean this 1,139-square-foot dwelling doesn’t have its selling points.

The exterior, for example, could use a little paint and updating, but it offers a great deal of charm with its inviting front porch. There’s a large garage via a back alley, and the storage shed matches the exterior.

The interior features vintage details like hardwood floors (which need sanding) and French doors, plus a kitchen with an island and a laundry room, which is uncommon in a house this size. There are three bedrooms and one bath.

The location is convenient as well—just minutes from downtown Port Huron, where you can enjoy the River Walk as well as restaurants and shops.

———

1012 5th St, Pawnee City, NE

Price: $85,000
Size matters: OK, so this one needs a little work. But a five-bedroom, two-bath home measuring 2,638 square feet and built on a half-acre lot, it’s more than worth it.

The home was built in 1910, and it’s in surprisingly good condition. It features some original doors, woodwork, stained glass, and lighting. Uncommon amenities include a walk-in linen closet, a second-floor laundry room, and an unfinished basement with plenty of storage.

The home has two porches and a two-car garage with a storage area. Plenty of mature trees shade the lot in the summer, and it’s close to the Pawnee City Hospital and other local conveniences.

———

16 NW 5th Ave, Oelwein, IA

Price: $90,000
Sweet spot: Two stories, two bedrooms, and two baths for less than $100,000? Get outta town! Or get into this charming little abode.

The 1,150-square-foot home has been newly painted and has new flooring and carpeting throughout, new windows, updated bathrooms, and a new kitchen.

The ceilings in this vintage crib, originally built in 1900, are surprisingly high. On the first floor, you’ll find a living room with a coffered ceiling, a kitchen with a pantry, a half-bath, a laundry room, and a bonus room. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a bath.

The quarter-acre lot comes with mature trees, there’s a small garage with a storage room, and the front porch could easily accommodate a swing or a couple of chairs.

———

114 N Sherman St, Lincoln, IL

Price: $60,000
Tiny but mighty: At 754 square feet, this is the smallest and least expensive of the lot, but it’s also one of the most charming with a serene front porch surrounded by mature trees and verdant foliage.

In addition to the one bedroom and one bath, you’ll find an eat-in kitchen and a laundry room. There’s also a detached one-car garage with plenty of storage space.

So much is new, including the luxury vinyl plank flooring, stainless-steel kitchen appliances, paint, and maintenance-free vinyl siding. The location in the quaint village is a quick commute to both Peoria and Springfield, the state capital.

The post Charming and Cheap: 5 Homes That You Can Buy for Less Than $100K (Seriously) appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.