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Sears kit homes

Volunteer

There is an article in today's WSJ on Sears kit-built homes that were constructed on the early 20th century. The one below in Chevy Chase, Maryland, cost $3,750.




The initial cost of the brick home below in the DC area was not given but it recently sold for $2,750,000.

 
Sep 22, 17 7:57 am
geezertect

Add three zeros to the initial price.  Actually, the kit was only for the materials, not labor.

Sep 22, 17 8:30 am  · 
 · 
bowling_ball

What do you mean?

Sep 23, 17 11:10 am  · 
 · 
poop876

https://searshousesinohio.word...

Sep 22, 17 8:37 am  · 
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Volunteer

These were aspirational houses for the great American middle class. Today the aspirational houses are the McMansions even though the buyers may have a deep sense of unease about what they have bought by the time they move in.

In any event the average middle-class family would have a hard time paying the taxes on the $2.7 million dollar house even if they inherited it. Something is seriously and fundamentally wrong here.

Sep 22, 17 11:00 am  · 
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wurdan freo

What cost $3750 in 1900 would cost $109669.44 in 2016... per the inflation calculator...not bad... 


What was the square footage on the house?

Sep 22, 17 9:26 pm  · 
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Volunteer

I believe most designs were from 1,600 to 2,000 square feet. A few designs were much larger. All designs that I have seen had full basements whose square footage is not included.

.

Sep 23, 17 6:28 am  · 
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archinine
That increase in property value is rather incredible given wurdens inflation index. Inflation does not take into account the increased costs of labor, materials, regulatory red tape and land value correlated with increased scarcity in major hubs. But still what an enormous difference in real dollars.
Sep 23, 17 7:17 pm  · 
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