Sears and Other Mail Order Homes

[administrator]

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Aladdin, Gordon Van Tine, and Hodgson Homes were just a few of the companies shaping the residential history of America by selling kit homes to a growing middle class. Share photos of your Catalog house or browse the following links to learn more about the history of mail order homes.

• History of the Sears Kit Home (http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/10423.shtml)
• Sears Archives (http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/)
• How to Identify Kit Homes (http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Kit-Homes)
• The Aladdin Company (http://clarke.cmich.edu/aladdin/Aladdin.htm)
• Gordon Van Tine Company (http://gordonvantine.com/)

[Chyna]

Rex!!!!

This is the best Christmas gift ever!!! Thanks. :)

[Catsmeow]

Don't forget about the all-metal Lustron home (http://www.wosu.org/archive/lustron/house.php). It came as a prefab kit and could be built in just a few days. Even the interior walls and kitchen cabinets were made of metal. They were small, sort of cottagy suburban homes.

[beigen]

Looking for information about our house---all information we have is that the house is from 1891. Not sure if that is accurate or not. Our home is surprisingly similar to others we have seen so we thought that maybe it is a kit home. Did anyone produce catalog homes before 1900?

[bluepink]

I grew up there and my mom still lives in it. What a great article. I found our house plans on the Aladin website from the link in the article. My mom says she thinks she still has the original blue prints for the house. My mom said my dad built it by himself except for some neighbors who offered to help him. He bartered with a man to do the plumbing. This was in addition to working full time. He started in March of 1950 and finished on Halloween. I had no idea that this was such a wide spread industry and the history of the company both sears-regarding this subject and aladin is fascinating. Thanks for the great article. I plan to find out more about the company through the library in Michigan. (Maybe they have our original invoice) My mom also knows of at least one other home in the area that was a kit house.

[SusiesQs]

When I got this issue and read the article I had to chuckle because my grandparent's home was a kit house. Very cute and still standing today as far as I know :)

[NancyinPa]

Thanks for having this forum! I have been looking for a way to find other kit home owners and share information and ideas about renovation and decorating. My home was built in 1924 . I have n't found my house plan in the SEARS catalogues that I have looked at...so I think it must be one of the other brands.Exposed beams in the basement reveal printed words in a few places such as "first floor joist". There are also many hand written numbers on the same beams. I have a copy of the names of the builders on a piece of scrap paper that was found in the walls by previous owners. Looking forward to coming back to this site for more information and community! :)

[Memmey]

Namcy glad to have you join us. How interesting that you have a house built as a kit. We love photos so feel free to share. You will find some great girls here and again welcome:D

[Chyna]

Beigen

Check the floor joists in your basement/crawlspace. Most of these kit homes have the model number imprinted somewhere, also check the attic. Alot of people left the blueprints up there stuffed in a corner or what-not. Alot of times those kit homes were "tweaked" by the new homeowner so going by picture alone could be a task in patience or destructive hair pulling.

If you do any remodeling that involves opening a wall check the 2 x's there could be the model number or company imprinted there too.

[NancyinPa]

Hi! Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm still finding my way around this site. Where are photos posted?:)

[cheapdiva]

Nancy - Welcome! I had a Sears house (built in 1924 and looks very much like the one in CL) 2 homes ago. It was originally 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. But at some point, someone added a bedroom and "playroom" in the attic area. Then someone else finished the basement and added a family room, 2nd bath and laundry room plus 2 small storage rooms.

It was very sweet little house (about 1,400 sf with the upstairs). While the rooms were small, it was a cozy home and I often miss the quaintness of it.

Nancy - we all post photos when we have something to share. Look for the little attachment thing next to the posting, then you'll know someone has added photos.

[NancyinPa]

I've attached a photo of my home at it's best in June when the hydrangeas are in full bloom. When I was looking for a house to purchase...this one was "love at first site". The kitchen was modernized in the '50's,but otherwise in original condition,no additions. The original kitchen cupboards were saved and in the basement. Extra doors and columns were found in the garage. It was a pleasant surprise to find a generous number of closets in this 3 bedroom home,including a built in linen closet + drawers in the hallway. :)

[SusiesQs]

What a cute home! I LOVE the hydrangeas in the front yard. Beautiful :)

[Catsmeow]

Looking for information about our house---all information we have is that the house is from 1891. Not sure if that is accurate or not. Our home is surprisingly similar to others we have seen so we thought that maybe it is a kit home. Did anyone produce catalog homes before 1900?

I think the earliest kit homes were Aladdin Homes from about 1904. Sears didn't ship until about 1906. A lot of the early kit homes were based on plan books from the late 1800's and early 1900's so a home from 1891 may be identical to a kit home, but built from a home plan catalog.

[carmen]

Last year we purchased a cottage that was built in 1932. We later found out it too is a sears and Robuck kit home-we found it in the catalog. I am very interested in the history of this cottage. We are going to paint the exterior this summer and would love ideas on color schemes. Once I figure out how to use this stuff I'll try to attach a picture of our little cottage. Thanks for giving me a place to come and learn from others about their cottages!!:)

[cheapdiva]

Welcome, Carmen -

Keep us up to date on your cottage projects with lots of pictures!

[willowrose]

I think I may be living in a Sears home, the same model Lakecrest that was featured in the Jan/Feb 2008 issue. We just love living in this home. The old owner said their Grandfather built it himself in 1928. Cool.file:///Users/con/Desktop/100_0341.JPG

[Memmey]

Willow. look at your wonderful house! Can you believe that folks bought a home kit and built their houses. I have never heard anyone mention how much these kits cost? So I can understand this correctly, how did it work? You order the one you want and it comes all the way down to the nails? How did it get there? This is so interesting. How many bedrooms does your home have? It looks huge.
Hey Willow thanks for joining us. I have alot of questions, sorry I'm nosey. It's just so darn interesting.:D :D

[cheapdiva]

Th front of this looks very similar to the one I had. I am guessing the back part was an addition at a later time. Welcome Willows!!! Post inside pics - we're all nosey, not just MEM!!**)

[Chyna]

Mem
This is how I undersand it. They would come in pieces and shipped on a train. You'd go pick up your "house" and going by the instructions and blueprints would put "1A" on "1B" or something like that. Sort of like getting one of those model cars your son may have built as a kid. Amazing isn't it? This is why alot of these homes have codes or numbers on the supports and wood is because going by the instructions that is how they were put together.

Can you imagine going to the trainyard and picking up all those crates and bundles of 2 X and so forth and in a short time it becomes your home?

[Memmey]

You mean your average guy would load this up, bring it home and then tinkertoy construct it??? Considering how many are still around, the directions must have been VERY clear and easy. They were solid wood I'm sure. What time era is that from the 30's?
You know people are so lazy now. Can you picture the where for all it took to build those.
Maybe like the Katrina Cottages minus the red tape.:rolleyes:

[cheapdiva]

Mine was built in 1924. I think most of them were mid '20's until mid '30s. They are solid homes!

[willowrose]

Hey there Memmey and Cheapdiva and all-

I have been looking on the Sears site called searsarchives.com and they show pics and prices for many of the homes Sears sold through the catalog. My model circa 1928, had a price of $1,465.00 to $2,479 depending on size, and extras. Wish I could buy a kit now! They are still putting more models and info up as they get to it. It is really fascinating.

Yes our place had an addition added onto the back about 25 years ago. It has a separate entrance and is kind of like a mother-in-law suite. My 21 year old daughter lives there now.

I will post some inside pics soon. My house is pretty much as it was when it was built, except they added 2 baths about 1930 and they have the original toilets and tubs. This one was built without any bathrooms as Grandpa didn't think they needed to replace the outhouse. Originally the house had gas lights and a coal burning furnace. Glad we have gotten more modernized. The walls are all lathe and plaster and it gets pretty chilly when the temps dip below zero. There have been new windows installed on one side of the house, so that helps.

I will post more pics soon. Have fun looking at the Sears website!

WR

[NancyinPa]

Hi! I have a great book ...HOUSES BY MAIL,A Guide to Houses from Sears,Roebuck and Company...published by National Trust for Historic Houses. I looked up the Lakecrest Model and it is so similar to my house(see picture in my post in this thread). There are some subtle differences. The overhanging eaves ,no fireplace and my house was built in 1924. The Lakecrest Model was in the 1931-1933 catalogue. I'm still in search of the model for my house! :)

[Chyna]

Mem
That's exactly right as long as you were pretty handy with a hammer, many people would just hire a carpenter/handyman type of contractor and voila. Also there are many neighborhoods where the realtor would hand the perspective homeowner the catalog and have them pick out the house they wanted and any little extras or touches and bam you got yourself an instant neighborhood. Most of those catalog homes were pre-1930's when the industrial age hit and homebuilding changed. And well a World War erupted and Depression era came along.

And you better bet those homes are built strong. Mine is 1930 and I suspect even earlier but haven't done the research yet. The place is a rock though and has most of its plaster walls. Well except for the bathroom where I blindly went along with my dad and dh and they ripped it all out. Now the room is chillier than before and I'm not happy with having sheetrock in there. :mad:

Willowrose
Do you know if insulation was ever put in the walls of your house. That is probably more of the reason it gets chilly than the plaster. Plaster tends to be more of an insulation then say sheetrock.

[luvmygvt]

Hello all fellow kit house lovers! I can't tell you how glad I am to have found others that love their houses as much as I love mine. There are non-kit house dwellers that don't seem to get it! I live in a Gordon Van Tine kit home that was built sometime around 1924. I'm pretty sure that GVT homes are scattered all over my town. I've identified the marked boards around my house and taken pictures when they were exposed which was so very cool, my address was stamped on there too! An elderly lady here in our town told me a few years ago that she remembered my house coming on the boxcar and the town getting together to build it and I searched and searched until I found which one it was! We have not changed the floor plan at all except that the back porch was already converted to a bathroom. Most original doors exist, original bathtub and sink in one bathroom with original nickel and glass towel bars and I have acquired some cool GVT items off of Ebay too. I'd love to talk more about my house (my favorite subject) to anyone interested and share pix if anyone is interested!:()

[cheapdiva]

Luv -
So glad to find out that GVT was someone's initials since I was worried you might love your goverment!!!:D
Great pictures . . . we ADORE photos here, can't get enough, post more!!!

Willow, come back and show us the inside.

[Lisa S]

Your house sound really neat. We would love pictures. Welcome!

[luvmygvt]

Diva, yeah GVT is for Gordon Van Tine. Not so much love my government right now! I'll attach a picture of the original stained glass window in the dining room, the living room showing the woodwork, the stairs and the bathroom with the original tub and nickel and glass towel bars (we've since taken out the floor tiles and refinished the original wood floors in there). That's all I have for now, I need to take some more. Thanks for your interest!

[Memmey]

Oh what a lovely home. The dining room, I love it. That door goes to the kitchen? I should go back and look at the floor plan.

The idea of a real dining room that is roomy appeals to me. A real room with room to pull the chairs out and walk around the table . I think now days the cookie cutter floor plans give a dining room for looks . I want function.I guess in the old days people really actually ate there everyday, not just on holidays.
I wonder...maybe a large dining room was a sign of being more prosperous. Well if you think about it, I suppose it is just like now. Do you spend your money on a large den or dining room, if you can't afford both.
One advantage of buying an older home may be that you get the extras that are not so affordable in new construction. Then there is the charm and you can't put a dollar sign to that. OH! and I forgot...solid wood. A solid wood house and no sheet rock.

[luvmygvt]

Memmey, thanks for your compliments! Yes that door is a functioning swinging door to the kitchen and it makes a really cool creaking sound when it does, lol. Its the small things that thrill me about my house. The kitchen is tiny compared to newer homes yes. It wasn't made for a fridge. When this house was built, the "icebox" was on what was then the back porch so when the fridge came along and had to be put in the kitchen, that really took away some space! We eat in our dining room SITTING DOWN every night (its our "thing") and we love it. And the solid wood thing, we thought about moving (for about 2.5 seconds) a few years back and looked at houses that were newer and even though yes, the bigger kitchens, bedrooms and closets were appealing, we couldn't get past the "fake" woodwork and doors, etc. Our house is so solid, they just don't build them like this anymore! So we decided to just keep polishing our gem and I'm so proud of our hard work!

[Lisa S]

You have a great house ~ actually it looks a lot like mine. Your stairway is much, much more beautiful!

We use our dining room every day. It's a place for coffee and cereal in the morning, homework in the afternoons and family dinners every night. I guess we kind of use it as a den.

One of the first things that struck me about this house when we first bought it was how rock solid it was compared to the new construction we had lived in previously.

Our house originally came with a swing door from the kitchen to the dining room, but over the years it had been removed. Everybody argued with me when I wanted to find a salvaged door and hang it in place. I was told it would reduce the flow of the downstairs. Well, I did it anyway and I love it. It's nice to close the door when the dishes are in the sink or when the ladies what to have a private talk while cooking.

[NancyinPa]

luvmygvt
Hi! I loved hearing about your Gordon Van Tine home and thanks for sharing photos! Where were the marked boards in the photo located in your home?

[luvmygvt]

Lisa, my stairway looks that good because my hubby is gifted with wood (it WAS covered in paint and carpet at one time). He actually refinishes wood floors for a living so our house is decked out, lol. He has refinished all of the hardwood floors in our house to their original splendor; I'm lucky in that regard! There were layers and layers of vinyl and glue on some of the hardwood but he muscled it off and it looks great.

PA, after I had looked and looked at the rafters in the basement and found nothing, FINALLY we found my marked boards in what used to be the back porch but was converted to a bathroom. When my brother had it gutted it down to the studs for a remodel I heard him yell, "um you better get in here, you are going to want to see this!". I was thrilled! It wasn't in a place we could tear out and save (it was on a board that was an outside wall near a window) so I had to take alot of pictures.

You guys inspired me to take pix of my kitchen now (and an excuse to clean it, lol) so here you go!

[RoseMary]

Great house, luvmygvt! Thanks so much for sharing the photos!

[Memmey]

Really really pretty.
I would be interested in a little lesson from your husband on how to remove old old layers of linoleum off the floor. My house was built in 1937 and the room I use as the utility room has linoleum on it and it's bad in spots. I wonder if I need to scrape it up, and what tool do you use. How does the glue come off. Questions questions questions:D

[Chyna]

Mem
Are you sure it is linoleum and not vinyl? Real linoleum shouldn't wear out that bad. You sorta need to know so you get the right solvents. Also the older flooring (the stuff that looks like pebbles?) could have asbestoes in them. One of the many drawbacks to new and improved living I'm afraid. Lead in the paint, asbestoes in the flooring and vermiculite in the insulation. Or that is my house. :() **;

Lvemygvt

Cool house and not a kit I'd heard of before. My bungalow group has only mentioned the Alladin and Sears not the GVT. I should mention that to them. They like a good hunt. :lol:

[luvmygvt]

Memmey, this is only from witnessing him take up linoleum/vinyl/tile umpteen times so here's what I've seen...He uses a razor blade floor scraping looking thing (tool would be the correct word, lol) which is exactly what it sounds like. It looks like a wide (sharp!) putty knife almost and can but put on the end of a push broomstick so that you can push at the linoleum and it slides right up. Well, ideally it slides right up. If its glued down then the razor blade helps scrape this up too and smooth it out for your next surface you are putting down. Here's a website with a picture of a guy using the floor scraper so you know what I'm talking about:

http://www.thetiledoctor.com/repair/floorremoval.cfm

Chyna, good point on knowing what kind of floor its made of. If its asbestos then you aren't supposed to mess with it (toxic dust=mesothelioma). When my husband runs into that in homeowner's homes he suggests tiling over it or he won't do the work (plus its against the EPA rules but alot of homeowners don't care and tear it up anyway and take their health into their own hands). If you are tearing up vinyl OR linoleum that has been glued down to hardwood (YES, idiots do this I've seen it in REAL life, lol), a professional with the right equipment will be able to remove the vinyl/linoleum and sand up the glue to get down to the beautiful wood underneath. When we tore up the carpet in my daughter's room there was a layer of linoleum that was made to look like wood glued down on the hardwood and it nearly broke my heart but the glue sanded right up with a high grit paper and an industrial Hummel. Oh and we ran into the vermiculite when we gutted the bathroom. That was a good time. NOT. I found my house in "117 House Designs of the 20's" after not finding it in the Sears or Aladdin books. I'm sure there are more GVT houses all over my town. I've been tempted to knock on some people's doors with my book in my hand and say, "do you mind if I check out your floor plan/doors/hardware?". Although then they might think I was the town crazy lady!

Here are some pictures of what my living room floor looked like while my husband was refinishing it (showing half sanded/half glue). There had been carpet pad glued down on this floor and we are talking glue so thick that he had to pull the glue out of the Hummel wheels every 2 passes or so and change the sand paper. One of the pix is the floor "naked" with no finish or polyurethane on it and then when he was in the middle of putting the poly on it.

[Chyna]

Does he use water based poly or the oil based? I'm hoping to do my dd's room someday and still weighing the pros and cons. I do remember one of my other gang saying he shellacced his floor a few times and then sealed with the poly. I however can't remember which he used. :o Which ever one it was wasn't very shiny so maybe it was oil.

I still kick myself that when we bought the place we didn't take a friend's step-dad's offer to refinish our floors. All we have to pay for is the supplies. Well someday.**; :rolleyes: maybe when we put in the family room in back and all the furniture is moved that would be a good time to jump on the chance. The guy is going to have to find matching wood for where the floor grate was anyhow.devious Stupid previous owners.

[Chyna]

Oh Lvmygvt

Could you ask him if it is usually the flooring that looks like those little pebbles that has the asbestos in it? I have that under the vinyl sheet flooring in the hallway and kitchen and want it all gone. the hallway I can probably pull up in one piece but the kitchen could be a problem.:mad: the pebble stuff is on sub-floor (I know how lucky is that?!) over my hardwood floors. I'm so itching to pull that junk up! Have mini crowbar, will travel. :lol:

[luvmygvt]

Chyna, asked hubby about what kind of poly and he said he uses oil based. I know that on our floors which are red oak and yellow pine he did NOT use any stain, he just used three coats of satin poly. He says that glossy poly (not satin) shows scratches way too easily and he tries to tell homeowners not to use it if they have kids, pets, etc. We have 4 kids and our floors take a licking and still look great. He also said there is an 8 hour quick drying poly too (we put furniture on it in 8 hours I know) and I can ask him what brand if you want. Just out of curiosity how much does a professional charge to refinish hardwood in your area? My husband charges $2.25 a square foot and we are in Missouri.

Is there any way you can send me a picture of your floor and I can have him look at it? I'm sure he'd be able to tell what the material is. As far as finding matching wood where your floor grate is/was, he had to lace some pine in around our toilet and you can barely tell he did it so I know it can be done. Something else I've seen him do is lacing in a different species of wood (like cherry with oak) if its at a door jamb maybe where a pet stained the wood under carpet, etc. I'll attach a picture of some fancy stuff he did in a log cabin just because I like to brag about his work!

[Chyna]

That is a mighty nice floor!!!! I was hoping just the description alone would make some sort of bell ring. :() Um the stuff is hard and probably from the 50's, it actually isn't that bad looking and I'd be happy to live with just it in the kitchen. My dd pulled it up a big in the hallway and I was surprised how not so bad it is. Mine is a creamy tan color, I've also seen it in light green. If I can I will try to pull up that corner and take a pic of it. Oh and it shatters when you bend it. It's almost like formica!

Oh yeah I've got 4 chinese cresteds (which would mean long nails), a 5yr old dd and 3 cats plus 2 cockatiels. You know that floor has got to hold up to alot. :o Currently I'm not sure what the wood floor is sealed with if sealed at all. I did put down a runner with an anti-skid mat underneath and it bleached the wood. No not happy and yep I found out later that it is bad to put rubber on wood floors. :(

[luvmygvt]

Chyna, hubby is trying to figure out if your tiles are asbestos and wants to know:
1) If the tiles are 8" x 8"? Hubby says they are more than likely asbestos. I didn't even know they were a certain size, learn something new every day!
2) You said they were glued down to a subfloor; you probably mean 1/4" underlayment maybe? Hubby says if the tiles are on top of underlayment they more than likely ARE NOT asbestos because they didn't put asbestos on underlayment they glued it directly onto the hardwood thus the next question #3. However, if your tiles are on underlayment your hardwood has been protected so that's good news!
3) Does the tile have black glue under them? Hubby says if they have black glue under them they are more than likely asbestos. He has gone into houses where homeowners have chosen to tear up asbestos themselves (NOT RECOMMENDED) and he has to refinish hardwood underneath and he said that the black glue zips right up with an industrial Hummel.

Also I asked him about your rubber/bleaching problem because I had never heard of that and he said that what happens is that the wood AROUND the runner or area rug gets darker or ages (probably picks up dirt and oils from feet/shoes) over time and makes it appear that the carpet (or in your case the rubber anti-skid pieces) "bleaches" the wood when its actually stayed the same color. When a wood floor doesn't have a finish on it, it will especially pick up more oils and dirt from shoes and feet and appear darker or "dirtier". He said that if you would ever get your floor refinished, this would sand right up evenly and you would never know it was there.

Our floor has 3 coats of satin poly and our kids are ROUGH on it. I move furniture on it and we have a dog too and it still looks great. I would suggest that if you get it refinished to definitely NOT settle for anything less than 2 coats of poly if not 3 for sure (but it costs extra so depends on your budget; I just happen to get free labor, lol).

Hope we get this figured out for ya!**;

[Chyna]

It really isn't tiles but more of a sheet. You're right it would be an underlayment, I don't know what kind of glue is under there, I just intend on pulling up the wood underlayment and the flooring with it. Actually the vinyl isn't so bad in my hallway but wehn they put it down in my kitchen they didn't prep it right or something and we get depressions and waves. In other words they did a poor job.:mad:

Well I thought it was Old House Journal but looks like it was Family Handyman with the plastics article. http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/39746/ I can attest that those rubber antislip mats you put under area rugs do stain the wood. I can still see the bleaching (or however you want to word it) and that runner hasn't been there for a couple years now. Honestly I thought it was the Febreeze I was spraying on the runner and maybe it was but I now don't do either on my area rugs. Or at least not as often.

[luvmygvt]

Chyna, if the flooring is in a sheet, its NOT asbestos, yay! Good news for you! Wish we lived closer, I'd send my handyman over to redo your floors!

I did not (nor did my resident floor laying expert) know about the plastic/rubber staining/bleaching wood floors! I'll definitely tell him to tell his homeowners to use felt on their furniture bottoms and NOT to use those rubber anti-skid mats under carpet runners. Thanks for the great advice and article!:()

[ChapterTwo]

luvmygvt...The floor your husband installed in the log cabin is AMAZING!!!
It's wonderful to know that such painstaking craftsmanship is still alive and well, in this day and age. So much of what is available nowadays is quickly done and shoddy. My hat is off to him and his work!

[Chyna]

Lvmygvt

I am so happy to hear that the flooring is probably not toxic. With everything else around that house I was beginning to think I am going to have to go into the haz-mat business. Paint I thought for sure would have lead, safe. Stuff I figured would be safe, lead. Only one wall I know of has vermiculite in it but of course that is the wall we've cut into and now there is a big pile of it in the basement from the upstairs. :rolleyes: I think if I wet it down I should be ok however the whole thought just annoys me. And since I'm in MT you know it came from that mine in Libby with the asbestoes in it that has led to a huge mess. Oh joy.

I think that anyone who is still doing the old time floor laying and inlays should be commended. Now if he were to learn the old time plaster work he'd be a god. :() I tried to find a plaster guy in my area and all I managed was a number for a guy who is retired. Luckily dh has pretty much figured out how to repair our walls but still!

[Chyna]

I checked those sites for the kit homes. No luck for my house. I'm a bit disappointed though I did see a house called the Fairy that was close just too small. Wouldn't that just be hilarious since I call the place Brian Rose Cottage and have fairies all over the place around there along with fairy tale stuff. :lol: Now I'm in search for the ever elusive kit mark, about went to the basement in my work clothes last night just to crawl thru the rubble and look at floor joists. Good thing I talked myself out of that one devious Did look at the heater in my garage and it is an Estate gas Heatrola. Unfortunately that isn't part of any kit homes. Plus there is a coal bin type thing in the basement so I had to have had coal heat once upon a time. Or at least I think that is what the metal door into the side of the crawlspace is. I'm convinced there are jewels and gold in there. :D

[luvmygvt]

ChapterTwo, thanks for the compliments on my husband's work. He is very talented, I'm very proud of his work. You are right, there aren't many skilled trades left and its very cool that what he does keeps the craftsmanship going! :)

Chyna, I hear ya on the plaster dilemma! We could use a good plaster guy too. My not-so-skilled in that area husband has tried to patch here and there but if we had to have major work done we'd really be in trouble! :eek: That metal bin sounds like an old coal bin delivery door alright. Although the gold and treasure bin sounds much more interesting! There are tons of kit house books to look through including Sears, Aladdin, Gordon-Van Tine and many more so you could be looking for a while before you throw in the towel! I had to contact Rosemary Thornton and send her a picture of my house to see if she had any ideas for me after I looked through all Sears books thinking that's what it HAD to be and it wasn't (she knew exactly what it was by the way, she's an EXPERT!). Its so fun to look through all of the books and if you look on www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) sometimes you can get used books for less than a dollar plus shipping and then start yourself a little collection! I have quite the library and its a good conversational piece. Good luck kit house hunting!

[Chyna]

I called every plaster or so-called plaster guy in my phone book and there just isn't any such thing anymore. It is a true shame to say the least. The wall I need the help on is cracked and missing part of the plaster now. My dad made the doorway larger and his sawzall destroyed the wall. He's a sheetrock guy (meaning he has no idea what to do with plaster and would just tear all the plaster out and sheetrock).:mad: My problem is finding these plaster washers that are always mentioned and suggested in magazines. I had the name of a company that sells them but trying to get some locally.

We have made plans to put up a wainscotting paneling there which will cover the majority of the damage. Just would like to repair it before putting up the wood pieces. **; devious

[Mr_Fitzz]

Hey guys, this is my first post so be kind :D

Im just about to buy a house and have been looking into the history and it turns out its a sears home from 1926, after alittle digging I found that its the Americus.
The house is in pretty good shape, it needs aroof etc and has been empty for some time.
Im looking forward to turning this into somthing great and ill be sure to take lots of photos as I go.

Heres the only photo I have of the house at this moment.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/img%20links%20to%20sites/le2be4341-m0l.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/img%20links%20to%20sites/1928_p13063_small.jpg

[WannaBHomemaker]

Wow, that's awesome! Congratulations on the new home! I'm sure it'll be fabulous when you're all done!

Welcome to our forum too!

[Polly Snowbush]

So glad you found that older post. Great information on this thread.

Congratulations on the house. It appears to have kept true to its' original features - quite a find. Brave soul to tackle it. Sure you want to do this? It'll cost twice as much and take three times as long as you envision. You'll wonder why you didn't start from scratch but what do I know.;)

Passion is everything and the pride of making it your vision - priceless. :)

[Chyna]

Congrats and welcome to the old house army. Yes old houses are alot of work but you know what? They are worth it, I'd take a rundown old house over a newer house anyday. :D And congrats on finding out what kit home that was, I'm still searching on mine. Hoping that it being my towns 100th birthday will get me some clues. ;)

[Mr_Fitzz]

Thanks for the warm welcome.
I done something that I told myself I would not, And that was to go back to the house before I got my house inspectors in to go over it as what they say will make or brake this deal.

Anyways I went camera in hand and more idea of what to look for in a Sears home.

Heres better photo's of the house and the floors etc

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3998Small.jpg


http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3991Small.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_4005Small.jpg

[Mr_Fitzz]

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3986Small.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3992Small.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3987Small.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_4007Small.jpg

[Chyna]

Oh I'm just swooning over all the painting opportunities. I am ignoring the paint stripping though. :() Only a fool would get excited over stripping paint off of woodwork. OK I probably would.

I take it you are planning on pulling up the carpet? What little tempting morsel you gave us of what it looks like under there is just beautiful. You may not have to refinish. Are you going to strip the paint off that trimwork? I saw an interesting article in Old House Interiors where they used steam instead of chemicals or heat to remove old paint. Sure made me smack my head for not snatching that industrial clothes steamer from my old job. :o The siding didn't surprise me, seems to have happened to alot of older homes along with the newer windows.

If you are serious about restoring the house or just getting some advice on what it could have looked like at some point (interior) I would suggest American Bungalow http://www.ambungalow.com/AmBungalow/home.htm

the gang on the forum are super knowledgeable about restoring those old houses and quite a few of them own Sears kit homes.

We here will also give you are 2cents if you ask or not. :lol:

[Chyna]

I wonder what is under that siding. I seem to be intent on pulling off vinyl/aluminum siding this summer. :() Only ask because the kit pic looks like they used stucco, your siding doesn't look like you can take any peaks. Darn it. devious

[Mr_Fitzz]

Strangely I'm looking forward to the painting too and cant wait to get my hands on that floor and get going on that.
The stairs are oak and that leads to the bedrooms which again are hardwood floors.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3994Small.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3995Small.jpg

I have yet to look under the siding to see, I know that it had new siding and windows two years ago.

Thanks for the tip on the other forum, It seems to be down right now but ill take alook latter.

Here's afew more from the inside, the walls are around 9ft tall and will need a good sanding!!
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3988Small.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3989Small.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3993Small.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/mr_fitzz/IMG_3990Small.jpg

[Polly Snowbush]

Considering the listings for that area - 3br, 1.5 ba - looks to be a very good deal. Because of the nature of the sale - doubt the inspector will find more than the usual. Due to the recent siding/windows, appears someone overextended themselves on it. Know of a house being completely renovated nearby that I think is the same plan as yours. The two body color style is true to the original. The front door is how the upper casements of the original windows used to look. Front porch all original. Kitchen is serviceable - the original quite different but could be brought back.

Cost affectively - this is great if you have no intention of ripping and tearing through it to create some historic piece. Too much has been done to go back. Moving forward and restoring the rest and enhancing would be the best investment.

Sooo - if you decide to go through with it - caution at the bank. In these instances there is an attempt to get the buyer to pay both sides of the closing. Total buyers market there so hopefully there is no contender. Also look at insurance, taxes - make sure you are covered for anything past due. Would talk to the neighbors. Some will be out and about this weekend and could tell them you are considering the area. Utility rates. Heating costs can be exhorborant with the wrong system.

If you buy - wise to sit tight and let the dust settle. Better to wait than have to regret or redo.

[Editing note: 7730 Grayfield St - 1890s Henry Ford workers house. Different price point but oh my..... Would take a look at it if only for fun.

[Polly Snowbush]

Ah, to be able to walk into a house and in short order find it's plan. Perused ALL the offerings on anitquehomes.com - similarities but not there. Ofcourse many plans spin off another by another vendor. Loved the duplicate names used by different vendors. Found just about every vintage home in my area except mine and a near duplicate to it. That duplicate has been so modified it was hardly recognizable. May have to start going for book offerings. One has over 450 plans from Sears. Mine more possibly a Montgomery Wards in colaboration with Tine.....and then all those little known wanna be plan brokers. Most likely was just a basic plan - slightly modified - and then built from tear downs and ordered components. Think it is easier when you have a complete kit to track from.

So Tanya - seems we will continue to search.

[Chyna]

Mr Fitzz

How come you are sanding the walls? Are they not still plaster? Your new house looks just full of projects. I'm totally not against projects. :lol: How are you going to refinish the floors? I never did have mine done before we moved into our house and I kick myself weekly for that. We just had too much on our plates when we were moving in so it got kicked down the list. :o

Well the kitchen is pretty 80's but paint and whatever can get it wherever you are headed. In any case it is quite fine and not something you gotta jump on right away. Can't wait to hear about your upcoming projects and ideas for your new home.

I saw AB was down after I linked it to you. Figures. :()

[J.C. in Hudson]

Hello. I'm new here. My name is J.C. and in 2 weeks I will take possession of a 1930 Sears home kit. She's beautiful and screaming my name. I was told she was a Sears home kit by the people across the street from the home and it was there grandparents who built it so I'm very comfortable they know what they are talking about. I have searched all the homes I have found pictures of and it could be a Sunbeam or a Lakecrest, I'm not sure. Anyway...I go tomorrow to take some measurements and I have been reading up on how to look for the numbers and other signs. I'll be taking pictures and I hope to find the time to share them here. Oh yes. There is another home around the corner that is said to be it's sister. My intrigue on this subject knows no bounds.
Talk to you soon.
J.C. :p

[Memmey]

Welcome J.C.,
Just to let you know :) we love photos! Please let us virtually follow you through this adventure. Can't wait to hear about this.:D

[hammond39]

My husband and I live in a 1939 Sears kit house (the Hammond model). It is so cute ( a little small, but we've adjusted to that). Enjoy your home--it's so cool to be living in a house with that kind of history--and it's a great conversation starter!

[J.C. in Hudson]

Well..I went to the library last week and ordered some books on Sears Homes and they came into today. "The Houses That Sears Built" by Rosemary Thornton, "Finding the Houses that Sears Built by Rosemary Thornton, and "The Sears, Roebuck 1926 House Catalog - Small Houses of the Twenties". The unabridged reprint. I barely got to my car and I had the pages open flipping through, just knowing I was going to see my house, my charming little humble abode I would soon get to know staring back at me from the pages. But, to my dismay, I was unable to find my house. Tomorrow I'll be visiting the house once again and intend on getting a better look at some of the signs to look for. I'm crossing my fingers.
Here's a picture. It's been vinyl sided. I'll take interior shots tomorrow and maybe together we can figure this out. Thanks for any help in advance. :)
(the back room is an addition)

[Polly Snowbush]

Congratulations on your 'new' home :). Exciting time for you. House is just great. I spent hours on that antiquehome.com site searching for mine(site is now undergoing some construction - typical(<; Am leaning towards the Lakecrest which is at the bottom of this page - if you change some of the materials, etc. it seems to be at least similar. Wonderful that you have neighbors providing information. Look forward to reading your discoveries!

[J.C. in Hudson]

Thanks for the reply, Memmy and Polly. Polly, you think it's a Lakecrest? After studying the Sunbeam I am inclined to agree but I couldn't find that model in any of the books I borrowed from the library. I thought the reprinted catalog would at least have it. I'll be sure and take pictures from every angle of every room, including the beams in the basement if I find numbers, so we can put this puzzle together.
My first home was a 1910 Victorian style which I now believe was the Sears Woodland Model from the 1919 catalog (see photo) which I sadly gave up when my husband passed away. (Yup, I'm addicted) I states that it was a model built in Ohio. Mine was in Hambden, Ohio. The address is 12926 Pearl Road if anyone wants to look on google earth.
This is my first home owned solely as a single Mom. I'm not sure if that's what has me excited or this new found adventure of the Sears Home. LOL:D
I'll be posting photos tonight no matter what time it is. :p
Have a great day! :)

[J.C. in Hudson]

Well..here the pictures as I promised. I wasn't able to look for codes on the joists in the basement because the basement is only about 5'2" and I'm 5'10", as well as the people who went with me. So...I guess I'll have to fashion some type of scooter to float around down there and search for numbers.
Here are the pictures. Some are blurry and I apologize. My excitement for things gives me a shaky hand. LOL

[J.C. in Hudson]

This is what the house looks like inside when a bachelor moves out!! LOL

[gigiG]

Charming, charming house!

[Polly Snowbush]

WOW! Found yourself a real winner. Property is a great frame. The original still so in place. That staircase, fireplace w/built ins super. The Clarke Historical Library - via a link to Cottage Living - has many plans. While looking for yours found my doors, fixtures in an Aladdin Co Annual Sales Catalog. A first to find anything on mine. May find the actual house plan in a prior catalog. When mine was bought - found left over floor boards stashed with the year 1923 etched in one piece with some initials. Contractor told me about it after he mishandled most of it. Behind 60s wall paneling found cloth back wall paper (smelly stuff). Kitchen cabinets are very similar to yours - have the same kitchen window and upper overhang. Cabinet doors, same as yours, and when we went to replace the wood insets with glass - found that they were glass - painted over many coats. You wrote that the back is an addition - am wondering about the dormered roof sections. A lot of these catalog listings go by number of rooms and baths.

Can see you on a garden tote scooter with a flash light in your basement. Watch out for spiders.;)

[Memmey]

That house is wonderful. Thanks so much for the photos. This is exciting! I also love love the built-ins. The kitchen is so cute. What a wonderful adventure:D:D

[Chyna]

You can check the attic and look at the studs and beams up there also. You may even find the blueprints stuffed into one of the spaces. :)

[J.C. in Hudson]

Thank you all for giving me that "beam me up Scottie" feeling when you say how charming and nice this house is. I feel it so deep within my soul it's like finding a treasured toy that I lost as a child. I've always felt some what out of place in this modern world and some things, like this home and it's history, always have such a strong and intense pull and hold on me - especially the Victorian era.
I'm packing my apartment and getting ready for the move which began yesterday. I dropped off a 65 year old custom-hand made desk I found accidentally passing a garage sale on Monday. ;) (price tag was $75.00 I left with it for $25.00) I'll be sure and take pictures and share them with you once it has found it's place in it's new home. The current renter of the house has agreed to let me move things in as he moves his out so it's not so much on me and who ever I enlist to help me.
Well..back to my search for the name of this home.
Have a great day everyone.:)

[J.C. in Hudson]

You can check the attic and look at the studs and beams up there also. You may even find the blueprints stuffed into one of the spaces. :)

I only found a trap door leading to what may be storage in a closet but there really isn't room for an "attic". I'll see where it leads. Thanks.

[Chyna]

Well this part is just plain scary but I've heard of people finding the name and so forth on studs while renovating. :eek: I've never been that desperate to find out what my house is. :()