Stunning historic fixer-upper on Massachusetts coast lists for just $3,000- but (of course) there's a huge catch
A historic fixer-upper home in Massachusetts is being auctioned off for a minimum bid of $3,000 - but there is a reason the price is so low.
The single-family pink home on 60 Plum Island Turnpike in Newbury, Massachusetts, is up for grabs as GSA Auctions opened it up for bidding on Wednesday morning. The abandoned house, built in 1922, is being offered at such a cheap price because it sits on a federal wildlife refuge.
After going through many owners, the home, located along the Newbury Salt Marsh and near the Plumbush Creek, was sold to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife/Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in 2011.
The winning bidder will have to move the three-bedroom, one-bathroom home, commonly known by locals as 'the little pink house,' off of the land where it currently sits.
'The little pink house' on 60 Plum Island Turnpike in Newbury, Massachusetts, is up for grabs as GSA Auctions opened up bidding for it on Wednesday morning
After going through many owners, the home, located along the salt marsh and near the Plumbush Creek, was sold to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife/Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in 2011. (pictured: File photo of salt marsh)
In addition to the home's unique requirement, it also has a slew of health hazards inside, including asbestos, mold and lead-based paint.
The true fixer-upper is approximately 1,514 square-feet with an unfinished basement 'covered with standing water,' according to the listing.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife/Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, the house frequently floods, and has already done so twice this year.
The home itself is made up of pressboard, shingles, wood and an asphalt roof. The interior walls are constructed of sheetrock and plaster.
Pictures showed the iconic pink paint chipped away on the exterior of the home, and sitting brown water on the floor of the 628 square-foot basement.
Another image showed the run down kitchen fit with broken cabinets, old appliances, and holes in the ceiling.
The listing explained that the home has not been lived in for decades and that the future buyer would have to remove the structure 'within 90 days of the execution of Bill of Sale.'
In addition to the home's unique requirement, the future owners will also have to deal with a slew of health hazards inside the property, including asbestos, mold and lead-based paint
The true fixer-upper is an approximately 1,514 square-foot two-story residence, and has an unfinished basement that is 'covered with standing water,' according to the listing
As of Monday morning, nobody has bid on the neglected home. It is unclear how long it will be up for auction, as the listing has been marked 'TBD.'
In July 1925, George and Gertrude Cutter purchased the plot of land that the home now sits on.
The couple were members of a well-known Newburyport family that had multiple local businesses, including the Fern Show Company and a café, according to Support The Pink House.
By November of that year, Gertrude's son Harry and his wife Ruth moved into the historic home with their baby boy Harry Jr.
Between 1925-1947, though the home was still owned by the Cutter's, the deed was handed over to Gertrude's daughter Charlotte, before being passed on to Harry's second wife, Beatrice Bowry.
In July 1947, Chester and Hilda Rogers bought the home before selling it to another couple, Harold and Hazel Proctor two years later.
By 1950, the Rodgers' bought the home back after Hazel Proctor complained about salty running water inside the home, according to Support The Pink House.
The home itself is made up of pressboard, shingles, wood and an asphalt roof. The interior walls are constructed of sheetrock and plaster
The run down kitchen is seen with broken cabinets, old appliances, and holes in the ceiling
Five years later another couple, William and Julia DeHart, bought the humble abode. In 1960, Milton and Juliette Scott purchased the home and lived there until 2011.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife/Parker River National Wildlife Refuge then bought the pink house for $375,000.
In March, the agency found 'no significant impact' for its proposal to remove the century-old home.
After a 30-day public comment period, the agency announced that once the house is removed, it will 'restore the habitat for wildlife and open a portion of the property to the public.'
'I want to thank our community partners who worked so hard as we exhausted every option to find a solution to this complex issue,' Refuge Manager Matt Hillman said.
'While we regret not reaching an outcome that satisfies all, we’re confident the decision aligns with our mission to protect and restore high-quality wildlife habitat and provide meaningful educational opportunities.'
