Here is a number that stops people scrolling: $8 per square foot. At 3404 Washington Ave in Cairo, Illinois, a two-story historic home built in 1880 with 7 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and 3,922 square feet of living space is listed for $32,500. It sits on a 0.34-acre corner lot on what the listing calls a "classic brick street," and it comes with arched entryways, hardwood floors upstairs and more hardwood hidden under the first-floor carpet.
It is also a house that needs work. The listing describes it as a home that, "with some care and restoration," could be "brought back to its original glory." The photos show heavy wood paneling, dated finishes and lived-in, cluttered rooms, and the facts list fuse-type electrical service and asbestos among the construction materials. The listing drew about 233 views and 31 saves in its first day on Zillow, and Zillow labels it "likely to sell faster than 94% nearby." Below we go through the details, the photos, the town and the questions to ask first.
Quick Look: The Listing Details
| Address | 3404 Washington Ave, Cairo, IL 62914 |
| List price | $32,500 (about $8 per sq ft) |
| Bedrooms / bathrooms | 7 bedrooms / 3 full bathrooms, including a full bath on the first floor |
| Living area | 3,922 sq ft livable (5,883 sq ft total structure area) |
| Lot | 0.34 acres (150 x 100), corner lot; an additional parcel is included |
| Year built | 1880 |
| Style / construction | Victorian; frame, Masonite and asbestos listed as materials; brick/mortar foundation; asphalt roof |
| Layout | Upstairs once served as a separate apartment; the listing shows kitchens on both floors |
| Heating / cooling | Heating type not specified; central air and window units |
| Electrical | Fuses |
| Basement | Full, unfinished |
| Windows | Replacement windows |
| Appliances listed | Microwave, range, dishwasher, refrigerator |
| Parking | 2 spaces |
| Utilities | Public water and public sewer |
| HOA | None |
| Annual tax (listing) | $474; tax assessed value $30,663 |
| Rent Zestimate | About $1,022 per month |
| Listed by | Karen Jones, Mark Twain Real Estate Service (MLS# 12798830) |
The Big Story: 146 Years on a Brick Street
The listing leans into history, and with good reason. Built in 1880, the house is older than most of what still stands in many American towns. Zillow’s highlights read like a checklist of what old-house fans look for: classic brick street, seven bedrooms, three bathrooms, timeless architectural details and beautiful arched entryways.
From the street it is a tall white two-story house with an open front porch and a columned porch on the side, set on a corner lot. A side view shows an exterior stair and a small balcony, details that fit the listing’s note that the upstairs once worked as its own apartment.
Inside: Arched Openings, Paneling and Hidden Hardwood
Inside, the photos show a home that has been lived in and adapted over many decades. The living room has carpet, wood-paneled walls, plantation shutters and an arched shelving opening. The bedrooms and an office area are also paneled, a mid-century update that many restorers would remove to get back to the original walls.
The most interesting line in the description is about the floors: hardwood extends throughout the upstairs, and there is additional hardwood hidden beneath the first-floor carpeting, "ready to be restored." The room list backs that up, with hardwood in the second-floor bedrooms and carpet over most of the main-floor rooms. Pulling up carpet to find old-growth floors is one of the most satisfying moments in any restoration, but it is also wise to check the condition of those floors before counting on them.
The main floor holds the primary bedroom (12×15, with a full bath and double-pane windows), two more bedrooms, a 13×18 dining room, a 15×17 living room, a 9×15 kitchen with an eating area and breakfast bar, and a 9×11 laundry room. Upstairs are four more rooms with hardwood floors and the second-floor kitchen space.
The Upstairs Apartment and Rental Potential
According to the listing, the upstairs once served as a separate apartment and could be converted back, "offering flexible living space or rental potential." With kitchens listed on both floors, plus the exterior stair, the bones of a two-unit setup seem to be there. Zillow’s Rent Zestimate for the whole home is about $1,022 per month, an automated figure that does not account for condition.
Before you plan on rental income, confirm with the City of Cairo whether a second unit is allowed, what permits and inspections are required, and what it would take to bring the upstairs up to rental standards.
Taxes and Costs
Low prices often come with low carrying costs, and that is the case here. The listing shows an annual tax amount of just $474 and a tax assessed value of $30,663. Zillow’s public tax history shows $440 in taxes in 2024 on an assessment of $10,221, which is one-third of $30,663, in line with how Illinois assesses most property. Expect taxes to change after a sale. Insurance is another matter: an 1880 house with fuses and asbestos materials may be harder or more expensive to insure, so get quotes early.
About Cairo, Illinois
Cairo is the southernmost city in Illinois, the seat of Alexander County, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In the 19th century, that location made it a busy river port and transportation hub, and the city’s grand Victorian homes date from that era. One of the best known is Magnolia Manor, an 1869 brick mansion on the same Washington Avenue at number 2723, now a house museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ulysses S. Grant was a guest there.
Cairo has lost most of its population over the past century. It had 1,733 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau’s 2024 estimate is about 1,523. That decline is a big reason why homes here are so inexpensive, and buyers should factor in limited local services and a small resale market. Fort Defiance State Park, at the point where the two rivers meet, is a short drive from town. The listing shows a Walk Score of 15 (car-dependent). Nearby schools on Zillow are Cairo Elementary (2/10) and Cairo Jr/Sr High School (1/10), both under half a mile away.
What a Restoration Buyer Should Check First
- Electrical: The listing shows fuses. Plan on an electrician’s assessment and likely a full service upgrade; some insurers will not cover fuse panels.
- Asbestos: Asbestos is listed among the construction materials. Have it tested and priced for encapsulation or professional abatement before any exterior or demolition work.
- Heating: The heating type is not specified. Find out what system the house actually has and how old it is.
- Foundation and basement: Inspect the brick/mortar foundation and full basement for water intrusion and settling.
- Flood risk: Cairo sits low between two major rivers and depends on levees. The listing does not show a FEMA flood zone, so check the official flood map and get flood insurance quotes.
- Hidden hardwood: Lift a corner of the first-floor carpet during your inspection to see what condition the floors are in.
- Second unit: Confirm with the city whether the upstairs apartment can legally be rented.
- Lead paint: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint.
- Extra parcel: The listing includes an additional parcel. Confirm exactly what land comes with the sale.
Who Is This House For?
This is a fit for hands-on restorers, buyers who want a lot of space for very little money, and small investors interested in a possible two-unit setup. The price leaves room in the budget for electrical, abatement and finish work. It is not right for buyers who need a turnkey home, a strong local job market or a quick resale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the house at 3404 Washington Ave in Cairo, IL?
It is listed at $32,500, about $8 per square foot.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?
The listing shows 7 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 3,922 square feet of living space.
When was it built?
1880, according to the listing.
Can the upstairs be rented?
The listing says the upstairs once served as a separate apartment and could be converted back. Check with the city about permits and legal use.
What does it cost in taxes?
The listing shows an annual tax amount of $474.
Is there a Zestimate?
Zillow does not show a Zestimate for this home. The Rent Zestimate is about $1,022 per month.
What are the main red flags?
Fuse-type electrical service, asbestos listed among the materials, an unspecified heating system and the general wear shown in the photos. Get a full inspection.
Final Thoughts
An 1880 home with 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, arched entryways and hardwood floors waiting under the carpet, on a corner lot along a brick street, for $32,500. The price reflects both the work the house needs and the realities of Cairo’s market. For a buyer who loves history and has a realistic plan and budget, it is a rare chance to save a piece of a river town’s past. Bring an inspector, ask the questions above, and look closely before you bid.
See the full listing, all photos and the latest status on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3404-Washington-Ave-Cairo-IL-62914/115596259_zpid/
Listing courtesy of Karen Jones, Mark Twain Real Estate Service. Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID, MLS# 12798830.
Disclaimer: All property details, prices, measurements and photos in this article come from the public listing on Zillow at the time of writing and may change at any time. This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the seller or listing agent. Verify all information with the listing agent and through your own inspection, survey and research before making any decision.
