Eight bedrooms, five full baths and one half-bath, all in a house that measures 7,337 square feet, for only $1.2 million. The house at 3 W. King St. in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, has two disadvantages. One is that it was built in 1881. The other is that it costs about six times the median price of the typical home in the town, the proverbial “most expensive house in the neighborhood.”

The home was the most searched on Realtor.com this past week:

Built by architect John A. Dempwolf in the 1880s, this imposing Victorian in the town center has been fully reconstructed. Its eight bedrooms, two parlors, and beauty salon (!!) are packed with period details. Located in the town center, it’s a palace worthy of a Pennsylvanian king.

Abbottstown is in the middle of nowhere, well south of Harrisburg, toward the Maryland border. It has a population of less than 1,000, living in 0.6 square miles. Its median household income is $52,578, which is nearly the same as the national average.

The house and its furnishings are ornate and very old. In general, the house’s age makes it a prime candidate for repairs, which likely would be expensive.

The listing:

Majestic JA Dempwolf Victorian circa 1881, has been reconstructed to its original footprint including Butternut & Cypress floors. Amazing upgrades – high ceilings, 2 Parlors and 2 Master suites, carriage house/in-law apt, built-in salt water pool w/amazing game room, beauty salon and 2 bay garage. You can sit on either of the 2 balconies to view the courtyard. Because of the town center zoning, the possibilities for this location are limitless!

All on a tiny 0.27 acre.

The median listing price for homes in the town is $233,900, which means houses in the area must be very modest.

A home for a rich person who wants to live in a middle-class neighborhood.

Get Our Free Investment Newsletter

I have read, and agree to the Terms of Use

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.