Looking to buy a fixer-upper in Chicago? These five are for sale.

Find the perfect bungalow.

By Sara Freund Jan 30, 2020, 5:40pm CST

A two-story yellow brick house with white shutters.

When it comes to fixer-uppers, they can be total gut rehabs or easier aesthetic upgrades. Either way a lot of buyers in Chicago are looking for those quintessential homes: Greystones, workers cottages, and bungalows. If they’re in the right location, those home types never last long on the market. We’ve rounded up five homes that beautiful but in need of a little TLC—take a look.

A bungalow with a dormer window in Portage Park

A bungalow with a dormer window and paned windows.

An original fireplace with a full wall wooden built in shelving and a front sun room.

Specs: Four bedrooms, one bathroom
Price: $339,900
Details: Built in 1916, this home was constructed by homebuilder by Mary E. Willis. There are original hardwood floors and detailed woodwork throughout. What caught eye? The charming fireplace next to the bright sun room at the front of the house.

Via Deborah Hess of Compass.

A bungalow with a statement fireplace in Arcadia Terrace

A fireplace with painted brick and an arched front. There are front bay windows.

A bungalow with beige brick, a front window, and white trim.

Specs: Five bedrooms, two bathrooms
Price: $299,999
Details: A family who’ve called this historic bungalow for many years have put it on the market—and it’s in demand. Just nine days and it’s already under contract. Similar to the previous home it has a great brick fireplace, beautiful windows, and a great floorplan. However, the new owners will likely need to overhaul the retro wallpaper, ruffled curtains, and abundant wood paneling.

Via Angela Riley of Dream Town Realty.

In Austin, a Victorian-inspired home

A staircase and front door with original wood.

Specs: Five bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms
Price: $209,999
Details: This home was originally built in 1889 and has lots of original woodwork. It does have a slight Victorian flair with it’s light blue color and turret, so new owners could play up that style in a renovation. While the interior of the three-story home isn’t in bad shape, it definitely needs a modern refresh.

Via Nick Rendleman of Exit Strategy Realty

A bungalow with good bones in Berwyn

A bungalow with a dormer window and steps to the front.

A formal living room with a french door and three panels of windows.

Specs: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Price: $250,000
Details: Another lovely bungalow! This one was built in 1923 and much of its interior has been expertly maintained. It has gorgeous French doors and original wood. But light fixtures, appliances, and bathrooms need some help. The current owners added more closet space with a bright white wall unit that doesn’t really match the rest of the house—perhaps that’d be something to take out on demo day?

Via Elizabeth McManus of Baird & Warner.

In Portage Park, a cute Georgian home

kitchen with cabinets, terracotta tiles, and a door to the backyard.

Specs: Three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms
Price: $254,999
Details: This Georgian home stands out for its quirky interior: terra cotta style kitchen tiles, a seafoam green bathroom, pink shaggy carpet, and a plaid patterned wood floor. If you can get past the overgrown front yard and the retro wood-paneled basement—it’s easier to see the potential. Just take a look at the front living room which looks the newest. A shiny wood floor and a fresh coat of paint can go a long way, imagine what true renovation could do?

Via Christopher Martella of Domain Properties LLC.