What’s cuter and more enticing than an all-American classic Cape Cod home? How about five of them, all priced below $300,000?

No, that was not a typo. The beauty of the Cape Cod is that it was designed to be economically yet sturdily built. Charming and cheap—that’s a winning combination.

This seminal Americana architectural style was named after Cape Cod itself, a seaside destination along the coast of Massachusetts. The design was conceived in the 1600s to withstand harsh New England winters and keep inhabitants warm and cozy.

The same classic features that worked back then still work well today: a steep, slanted roof to help snow melt off; a chimney in the middle of the home (to heat all the rooms); cedar shutters and shake shingles to protect against strong winds; a rectangular shape; and a straight-forward floor plan.

Although they started in New England, the homes were so practical, inexpensive, and easy to build, they popped up from coast to coast.

We found five of these nifty numbers at petite prices. Take a peek.

1967 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY

Price: $235,000
Classic cutie: Seriously, does it get any more adorable than this? Originally built in 1941, this three-bedroom, 1.5-bath cottage has been meticulously maintained. Its compact, 1,212-square-foot size makes it very easy to update, should you so desire.

But new owners won’t want to touch those hardwood floors, the arched doorways, the wainscoting, or the brick fireplace with the wood surround. There’s a bedroom on the first floor and two charming upstairs bedrooms with window niches and pitched ceilings.

Bonuses include a spacious, partly finished basement, a separate two-car garage, a paverstone patio, and a grassy half-acre yard surrounded by mature trees.

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718 S Park Dr, Salisbury, MD

Price: $250,000
Upscale updates: While this shingled beauty has all the charm of the 1940s when it was built, the kitchen and baths have been tastefully updated and the walls throughout have been recently painted.

The three-bedroom, 1.5-bath, 1,556-square-foot home overlooks the Salisbury City Park, with the Salisbury Zoo just a short stroll away. Also, it’s ideally located just about 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Chesapeake Bay on the other.

This home has a large, plumbed basement, which can accommodate laundry, storage, and much more. Other features include a wood-burning, brick fireplace and a three-season sunroom with generous windows to let sunlight in and to provide views of the 8,700-square-foot lot.

After just seven days on the market, the lovely home is pending sale.

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181 Commodore Pkwy, Rochester, NY

Price: $275,000
Storybook Cape Cod: The stone siding, bay window, and pitched roof give this Cape Cod a storybook feel. It’s been remarkably well maintained and restored, with original wood floors, wainscoting, and molding, plus a wood-burning fireplace.

Yet the kitchen and baths in this three-bedroom, 1.5-bath abode have all been updated with quality Kohler fixtures, the appliances are under 5 years old, and the plumbing is brand new.

The home measures 1,532 square feet, but all the light streaming in from its many windows makes it seem more spacious.

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1039 Kingman Ave, Red Wing, MN

Price: $280,000
Practically perfect: This three-bedroom, three-bath cottage is so pristine it lasted less than a month on the market before it had a contingent offer.

Measuring 1,934 square feet, the home features hardwood floors and French doors leading from the dining room to the enclosed sun porch. The extras reach outside to the master gardener-designed grounds.

There’s a finished basement with a bonus space that can serve as an office, family room, or playroom. It also includes a bedroom, full bath, laundry room, and storage.

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262 Pritchett Ave, New Point, VA

Price: $299,900
Remarkable remodel: Built in 2005 and already renovated since, this two-bedroom, two-bath, 2,100-square-foot Cape Cod in the Chesapeake Shores includes deeded access to the beach on Chesapeake Bay.

The solar panels on the roof, Energy Star appliances, new HVAC, roof, and water heater add appeal. The screened porch and side deck off the kitchen with the outdoor shower for removing the salt and sand are also pretty nice perks.

The post Cheap and Cute: You’ll Crave These Classic Cape Cods, All Priced Below $300K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.