Welcome to Adorable Living Spaces. Today we are heading to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to explore a remarkably affordable historic property at 605 Ridge Rd in Mass City, Michigan, combining a large Victorian home with acreage, a pond, and substantial garage and workshop space.
Priced at just $100,000, this 1899 home offers approximately 2,625 square feet of finished living space, 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom, and 3.47 acres.
The property also includes a detached 4-car garage with electricity, heat, and workshop space, while the house retains features such as hardwood flooring, high ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, and a stone foundation.
This is a HUD-owned property, and its age makes careful inspection particularly important. For someone prepared to evaluate an older home and any necessary repairs, however, the combination of space, acreage, historic character, and workshop facilities at $100,000 is certainly unusual.
| Property Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | $100,000 |
| Address | 605 Ridge Rd, Mass City, MI 49948 |
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 2 Full + 1 Half |
| Living area | 2,625 sqft |
| Lot size | 3.47 acres |
| Year built | 1899 |
| Property type | Single Family Residence / Victorian |
| Heating | Hot Water, Oil, Wood, Space Heater |
| Cooling | None |
| Water | Private Well / Public Listed |
| Sewer | Public Sanitary |
| Foundation | Stone |
| Garage | Detached, 4 Spaces, Heated Workshop |
| Utilities | 100-Amp Electrical Service |
| HOA | None |
1899 Victorian With 2,625 Square Feet
Built in 1899, this 2-story Victorian offers substantially more interior space than many properties in the $100,000 price range.
The house provides approximately 2,625 square feet of finished above-ground living area, while Zillow lists the total structure area at 3,380 square feet.
All 4 bedrooms are located on the second floor, while bathrooms are distributed between the first and second levels. The official listing identifies a total of 3 bathrooms consisting of 2 full baths and 1 half bath.
Inside, high ceilings and hardwood flooring preserve some of the character expected from a late-19th-century residence while providing a foundation for a buyer interested in restoring or updating an older home.
Fireplace, Hardwood Floors and Historic Character
A wood-burning fireplace is another notable interior feature and can contribute to the traditional character of the Victorian home.
Heating is listed as a combination of hot water, oil, wood, and a space heater, suggesting that buyers should carefully understand how the different systems currently work together.
There is no central cooling system listed, something that may be less surprising for an older Upper Peninsula property but should still be considered by buyers planning renovations.
The appliances are listed as negotiable, while a gas water heater is identified in the property information. Buyers should confirm exactly which appliances and fixtures will remain with the house.
3.47 Acres With a Pond and Garden Space
The house sits on approximately 3.47 acres, providing significantly more outdoor space than a conventional residential lot.
A pond is identified among the property’s features, adding another interesting element to the land even though the property is not conventional waterfront.
The exterior also includes garden space, potentially giving a future owner room for vegetables, flowers, or other small-scale homestead projects.
With approximately 171 feet of road frontage listed, buyers should verify the parcel boundaries and understand exactly how the acreage, pond, driveway, garage, and other improvements are positioned within the property.
4-Car Heated Garage and Workshop
One of the strongest practical features is the detached 4-car garage, which provides considerably more space than a typical residential garage.
The building is listed as having electricity and heat, making it potentially useful beyond simple vehicle storage.
Workshop space is specifically identified, which could appeal to someone working on vehicles, woodworking projects, equipment, or other hobbies requiring a dedicated work area.
For a property priced at $100,000, the combination of a large residence and a heated 4-car garage/workshop could be particularly valuable to the right buyer, although the garage should be inspected along with the main house.
Well, Public Sewer and Existing Utilities
The property is connected to public sanitary sewer, eliminating the septic-system considerations commonly associated with rural acreage.
The water information is somewhat less straightforward because the listing references both a private well and public water. Buyers should verify which source currently serves the house and whether public water is connected, merely available, or represented differently in the listing data.
Electrical service is listed at 100 amps, which may be adequate for some existing uses but is relatively modest by modern standards, especially if a buyer plans extensive renovation or additional electrical equipment.
Electricity and sewer are listed as available, while the property’s combination of oil, wood, and hot-water heating should be professionally evaluated to determine the condition and efficiency of the existing equipment.
Affordable Upper Peninsula Project Property
At approximately $38 per listed square foot, the $100,000 asking price immediately makes this property stand out.
The value proposition is not simply the house. The buyer is also getting 3.47 acres, a pond, garden space, and a detached 4-car heated garage with workshop facilities.
For someone interested in restoration, the historic Victorian architecture and surviving hardwood floors could provide a starting point for preserving some of the home’s original character while updating essential systems.
However, the low price should not automatically be interpreted as meaning the property is inexpensive to own or renovate. The home’s age and HUD-owned status make a realistic repair budget especially important before making a purchase decision.
Due Diligence Before Buying
A professional inspection should pay particular attention to the stone foundation, structural framing, roof, wood siding, basement, drainage, moisture intrusion, windows, chimney, fireplace, and signs of wood deterioration or insect activity. With a house built in 1899, structural and moisture issues can be considerably more important than cosmetic finishes.
The electrical system also deserves careful evaluation. The listing specifies 100-amp service, so buyers should determine the age and condition of the wiring and panel, whether older wiring remains, and whether an upgrade would be necessary for modern appliances, HVAC equipment, workshop loads, or future improvements.
Buyers should also evaluate the oil and hot-water heating systems, plumbing, well, public-water availability, public sewer connection, gas water heater, and garage utilities. Because of the home’s age, lead-based paint and asbestos-containing materials may also be considerations during renovation and should be handled appropriately.
Finally, buyers should review the specific HUD-owned sale requirements, title, survey, property boundaries, permits, taxes, insurance availability, pond conditions, garage structure, and any previous alterations. Estimates from qualified contractors can help establish whether the total purchase-plus-renovation cost fits the buyer’s budget before closing.
Final Thoughts
At $100,000, 605 Ridge Rd combines a surprisingly large historic house with features that are difficult to find together at this price.
The property offers 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,625 square feet, 3.47 acres, a pond, hardwood floors, a wood-burning fireplace, and a detached heated 4-car garage with workshop space.
The biggest consideration is age. A Victorian home dating to 1899 can offer tremendous character, but its foundation, electrical system, heating, plumbing, exterior, and other major components deserve much more attention than the cosmetic appearance alone.
For someone searching for a Michigan fixer-upper, Upper Peninsula home with acreage, historic Victorian under $150,000, or affordable property with a large workshop garage, this Mass City home could be an interesting project to investigate.
If you need more info, contact the listing agent from the Zillow link below the photos.
Listed on Zillow