By Michael Hooper
It's always difficult to find a bargain in real estate. When I heard about a house for sale in Topeka for $20,000, I had to have a look.
Located at 1810 Lincoln Street, this two-story house with three bedrooms and one bathroom is for sale by owner, Jaymes Scott.
The house is in poor shape, starting with the broken front stoop. Every room is dirty, all the floors are covered with papers, books and trash. The owner says the roof has 10 years left in it, and the basement has a little water around the edges during rainy seasons like now.
The owner wants to move quickly so he's willing to deal. He knows repairs are needed and he is willing to do them.
I looked inside and saw the need to clean up and paint. Every wall needs paint. The kitchen needs paint, countertop, new appliances. Really the best rooms are upstairs where there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. The bathroom is in sorry shape but at least there is one.
I could easily see $10,000 worth of work just to get this place in livable shape. But if this place were fixed up it's probably worth closer to $50,000.
After a tour of the home today, I asked the owner if I could put this information on my Web site. He said, "sure."
To contact the owner, call 785-338-6252.
