What if the most affordable path to homeownership has been sitting empty on a small-town street for the last 40 years? Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein built a community of nearly 3 million people around exactly that idea — beautiful, historic homes with real bones at prices that actually make sense. In this episode, they break down what it actually costs to buy and restore a cheap old house, how to know if you're the right person for it, and why they think we've been dreaming about homeownership all wrong.

Here's what we discuss with Elizabeth and Ethan:

• How to know if you're an old house person — and why that question matters before anything else

• What to look for structurally before you fall in love with the character

• The full budget breakdown on a $27,000 house — soup to nuts, every line item • When to DIY and when to hire a pro (and what not to touch under any circumstances)

• How to buy a cheap old house remotely — the practical process from first scroll to closing

• What it takes to qualify for a mortgage on a fixer-upper • Why they think the new American Dream looks a lot like a forgotten house on a quiet street

• Ready to find the right contractor for your next project? Visit angi.com to connect with top-rated pros in your area.

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Ready to find the right contractor before your next project? Visit angi.com to connect with top-rated pros in your area. Angi (formerly Angie’s List) is a leading home services marketplace that has helped homeowners with 300M+ home projects from plumbing and remodeling to roofing and landscaping. Learn more at https://www.angi.com/landing/podcast-angie-hicks