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Wouldn’t it be nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, to go back to a time when cellphones and social media didn’t run your life? An Amish home for sale in New Wilmington, PA, could make this dream come true—all for a mere $99,900.
But this idyllic bargain comes with a big catch: In true Amish fashion, the house has no bathrooms, electrical, or plumbing beyond a kitchen sink.
“Enjoy the simple life in this quaint one-story Amish home peacefully situated toward the end of a long private lane,” states the listing about the property: a 1,292-square-foot residence built in 1963.
The living quarters boast three bedrooms as well as a “spacious” kitchen, hardwood floors, and a full walk-out basement. The 1-acre parcel also has an insulated wood shop, a buggy shed, and a four-stall horse barn.
While it might lack significant plumbing and electrical, it does have a well and septic holding tank. But is that enough?
This traditional Amish home in New Wilmington, PA, has hit the market for a mere $99,900.
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A white barn sits on the property alongside the home, which was built in 1963.
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A sparsely decorated bedroom
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The lack of basic amenities could very well explain why this house, bargain or not, has sat on the market for more than 100 days so far.
The Amish are a religious clan famous for eschewing modern trappings like cars, electricity, plumbing, and technology, so the lack of many contemporary conveniences in this house makes sense.
Still, we got to wondering: How much would it cost to modernize an Amish house?
How much does it cost to modernize an Amish house?
Presuming oil lamps and an outhouse aren’t your thing, then this home will need updating. So what will that cost you?
“Unfortunately, anyone buying this home will be in for a tremendous sticker shock,” warns real estate developer Tyler Drew. “Not only do you have to tear out the walls and add electrical and plumbing, but the Amish consider all those fancy indoor fixtures like toilets ‘of the world,’ as they say.”
Drew estimates that wiring the 1,300-square-foot house will run you $20,000 to $40,000. Then, there’s about $20,000 for carving out a bathroom from scratch. And you’re just getting started on the work involved.
“A buyer will have to hook the bathroom up to a septic system of unknown age and quality that was most likely installed without permits or plans,” says Drew. “The Amish make fantastic buildings, but they never take into account someone adding in plumbing and electrical later on.”
Additionally, the remote location could mean trouble finding bids from qualified contractors. And running electrical to the house means locating the nearest electrical pylon, which could be miles away.
“Any buyer of Amish property will do well to find out just how close the electrical connections are before bidding,” he advises.
Once the house is wired, you can turn your attention to a pump for the well and an updated holding tank. And while the home’s wood-burning stove looks warm and cozy, Drew says it will need constant maintenance so you’ll likely want to replace it with a modern HVAC system.
All in all, Drew estimates that renovating this Amish house into a modern home with all the basic conveniences will cost $80,000 to $100,000. Still, some might find that this charming property is well worth the money and work involved.
More upscale Amish homes exist, too
If a bathroom is a must, there are other options. Take, for instance, this Amish home for sale in Pierpoint, OH. This four-bedroom farmhouse built in 1880 has just one bathroom, and it sits on 10 woodsy acres.
Yet this home, too, has been lingering on the market for around 200 days, with one price reduction in December to $224,900.
This Amish home in Pierpont, OH, has languished on the market for more than 200 days—even with a price cut.
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The bedroom
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A red barn sits on the Pierpont, OH, property.
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Even electricity can be found in some Amish homes, like this three-bedroom in Tionesta, PA, which was recently listed for $102,000 and snapped up by a buyer.
This Amish home in Tionesta, PA, with electricity—listed for $102,000—has just been snapped up by a buyer.
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The sparse kitchen
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A barn with covered parking for buggies and a woodshed
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Since the property used to be “English” (non-Amish), there was electrical and plumbing already inside the walls. They needed only to be inspected and reconnected.
A little under a month after hitting the market, listing agent Lynn Daniels says, a sale is pending with an all-cash offer. The purchasers intend to use the property as a hobby farm.
Amish homes can even be downright fancy
For even more proof that Amish homes need not stick to being “plain” and austere, check out this home in Middlefield, OH, which was last sold in 2022 for an astonishing $1.1 million.
This modern Amish home in Middlefield, OH, was last sold in 2022 for $1.1 million.
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The kitchen with marble countertops
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A bathroom with a porcelain soaking tub
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Sitting on 20 acres, this five-bedroom mansion boasts marble countertops in the kitchen and a bathroom with a walk-in shower, a porcelain soaking bathtub, and even twin vanities.
But if you look closely at the listing photos, you can tell this isn’t your average home.
For one, the ceilings have no light fixtures. And the fridge’s Crystal Cold logo means it’s run on propane, not electricity. The Amish often get around the pesky “no electricity” rule by running modern conveniences like refrigerators, washing machines, showers, and lighting on propane, solar power, or batteries.
Erik Wesner, founder of the newsletter Amish America, guesses the home’s former Amish owner is in the “building trade” and therefore has an appreciation for “finer interiors.” Fine, indeed!
But what about the neighborhood?
Keep in mind there’s more to an Amish house than wood cabinetry and plentiful renovations. You’ll be living smack dab in Amish country. While this comes with the unique charm of feeling like you’re living in an earlier century, there can be a few downsides.
“You’re going to have manure on the roads and buggies slowing down traffic,” warns Wesner. While the Amish are viewed as quaint and relatively sheltered, in reality, they can party hardy.
“Some of the youth can be a bit wild and rowdy,” he adds. Field and barn parties are a staple of rumspringa, a period when the youth sow their wild oats before committing to the austere Amish lifestyle.
In other words: If you do end up moving here, don’t expect too much peace and quiet.
The post Live Like the Amish in This Cut-Price $100K Home—but There’s a Catch appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
