Some listings sell a dream. This one sells a price. At 104 E Church Ave in Masontown, Pennsylvania, a three-story Victorian built in 1906 with 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and 3,002 square feet is listed for $25,000. That is about $8 per square foot, on a 0.29-acre lot with a covered deck, a detached garage and a second, separate building.
The listing does not hide what that price means. It calls on "renovators, investors, and dreamers," says the home is "ready for a full transformation", and ends with: "Sold As Is. No repairs will be made by Seller." The photos show vacant, heavily worn rooms, damaged floors and ceilings, including a hole in a bathroom ceiling, and the separate brick building is boarded up. The listing gathered about 209 views in its first day on Zillow, though only 9 saves, which says a lot about how many people are curious versus ready to take on a project like this. Here is everything the listing shares and what to check first.
Quick Look: The Listing Details
| Address | 104 E Church Ave, Masontown, PA 15461 |
| List price | $25,000 (about $8 per sq ft) |
| Bedrooms / bathrooms | 3 bedrooms plus a bonus room (all upstairs) / 2 full bathrooms |
| Living area | 3,002 sq ft on three or more levels |
| Lot | 0.29 acres (74 x 169) |
| Year built | 1906 |
| Style / construction | Three-story Victorian; vinyl siding; metal roof |
| Heating | Forced air, gas |
| Fireplaces | 3, gas |
| Flooring | Hardwood and vinyl |
| Basement | Walk-out access |
| Parking | Detached garage, 2 spaces |
| Extra structures | Covered deck; a separate poor-condition building once used as a living unit |
| Utilities | Public water and public sewer |
| HOA | None |
| Annual tax (listing) | $1,849; tax assessed value $61,670 |
| Condition | Sold as-is; no repairs by seller; full transformation needed |
| Flood zone (listing) | FEMA Zone X (unshaded), a minimal-risk flood area |
| Listed by | Joanne Savini, Howard Hanna Myers Real Estate Services (WPMLS MLS# 1781665) |
The Big Story: From $49,900 to $25,000 in a Year
The price history shows how long this house has been waiting for a buyer. It was listed at $49,900 on October 31, 2025, cut to $35,900 in March 2026, and dropped to $25,000 in October 2026. After being removed on October 31, it was relisted at $25,000 on November 2, 2026. That is half of the original asking price in about a year.
There is no Zestimate for the property, but Zillow’s Rent Zestimate is about $1,530 per month. That number is automated and assumes a livable home, which this is not today. It is useful only as a hint of what a fully renovated version might rent for.
Outside: Three Stories and a Two-Level Porch
From the street, the house is a tall cream-colored three-story with a two-level covered porch, vinyl siding and a metal roof. The side view shows exterior stairs and a large tree. Zillow’s highlights are short and practical: detached garage, large home, covered deck, spacious home. The porch deck is worn and needs repair, and it was cluttered with buckets and bags when the photos were taken.
Inside: Paneling, Mantels and a Lot of Work
The main level holds the living room, dining room and kitchen, and the upper levels hold the primary bedroom, two more bedrooms and a bonus room. The listing counts 3 gas fireplaces, and one of the photos shows an old mantel in a wood-paneled room. Large windows let in plenty of light.
The condition is where buyers need to be realistic. Rooms are vacant and heavily worn, with dusty plank floors, wood paneling, drop ceilings and ceiling tiles. One bedroom still has a bed frame and dresser, with debris on the floor. The bathroom has a classic clawfoot tub, but there is a hole in the ceiling above it, which can point to a past leak from above.
The kitchen has dark cabinets, worn vinyl flooring and a drop ceiling, and it will almost certainly need to be completely redone. Hardwood is listed among the flooring types, so it is worth checking what is under the vinyl and carpet in other rooms.
The Brick Building and the Garage
The lot includes a separate red-brick building with boarded-up windows. The listing describes it as a "poor condition building, previously used as a living unit, but not for many years." Buyers should decide early whether it is worth saving or whether demolition makes more sense, and check with the borough before planning to use it as a dwelling again.
There is also a detached garage with a roll-up door and a wooden stair at the side. It is weathered and overgrown, but it adds parking and storage that many older in-town properties lack.
Taxes and Carrying Costs
The listing shows annual taxes of $1,849 on a tax assessed value of $61,670, and Zillow’s public tax history shows the same $61,670 assessment with $1,744 in taxes for 2023 through 2025. That works out to roughly $150 per month, which is high relative to a $25,000 price. Add insurance, which can be hard to get on a vacant home in poor condition, and utilities during the renovation.
About Masontown, Pennsylvania
Masontown is a borough in southwestern Fayette County, part of the Pittsburgh metro area, along Route 21 near the Monongahela River. Its roots go back to Fort Mason, a blockhouse built by John Mason in the 1770s. The town was laid out in 1798 and incorporated in 1876. Around the turn of the 20th century it became the center of the Klondike coal region, and its population grew from 466 in 1900 to a peak of 4,730 in 1960. This house, built in 1906, dates from that boom.
The local mines closed decades ago, and the population was 3,276 at the 2020 Census. Today Masontown is a small crossroads town with a small shopping center and a grocery store, served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District. The listing shows a Walk Score of 45 (car-dependent). Nearby schools on Zillow are Masontown Elementary (0.3 miles, 4/10), Albert Gallatin South Middle School (7/10) and Albert Gallatin Area Senior High School (3/10). Verify school assignments with the district.
What a Rehab Buyer Should Check First
- As-is means as-is: The seller will make no repairs. Use your inspection period, if you have one, to understand everything.
- Roof and leaks: The ceiling hole in the bathroom suggests water damage. Check the metal roof, flashing and plumbing above it.
- Structure: Inspect the foundation, walk-out basement, framing and the two-level porch for rot and settling.
- Systems: Have the gas forced-air furnace, the 3 gas fireplaces, the plumbing and the electrical system evaluated by licensed pros.
- The brick building: Price out demolition versus restoration, and ask the borough about its legal status.
- Lead paint and asbestos: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and old ceiling tiles and flooring can contain asbestos. Test before demolition.
- Clean-out: Budget for removing debris and leftover furniture.
- Financing: Most standard loans will not cover a home in this condition. Plan for cash or a renovation loan.
- Resale math: In a small market, make sure your purchase price plus renovation stays within what similar renovated homes sell for.
Who Is This House For?
This is a project for contractors, experienced rehabbers and buy-and-hold investors who can do much of the work themselves. The very low price leaves most of the budget for renovation, and 3,002 square feet gives plenty of room for a family home or a long-term rental. It is not a good match for first-time buyers, anyone who needs to move in soon, or buyers who need a conventional mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the house at 104 E Church Ave in Masontown, PA?
It is listed at $25,000, about $8 per square foot.
How big is it?
3,002 square feet on three or more levels, with 3 bedrooms, a bonus room and 2 full bathrooms, on a 0.29-acre lot.
What condition is it in?
Poor. The listing says it is ready for a full transformation and sold as-is, with no repairs by the seller. The photos show heavy wear and a hole in a bathroom ceiling.
What is the separate building?
A separate brick building that the listing says was once used as a living unit but not for many years. It is in poor condition and boarded up.
Has the price dropped?
Yes. It was listed at $49,900 in October 2025, reduced to $35,900 in March 2026 and to $25,000 in October 2026.
What are the taxes?
The listing shows an annual tax amount of $1,849.
Is it in a flood zone?
The listing places it in FEMA Zone X (unshaded), a minimal-risk flood area.
Final Thoughts
A three-story 1906 Victorian with 3,002 square feet, 3 gas fireplaces, a clawfoot tub, a two-level porch, a detached garage and a 0.29-acre lot, for $25,000. The catch is everything else: a full transformation, an as-is sale, a boarded-up second building and taxes that are high for the price. For a hands-on buyer with a clear budget, this could be one of the cheapest ways to get a lot of house in western Pennsylvania. Inspect carefully, run the numbers twice and ask the listing agent the questions above.
See the full listing, all photos and the latest status on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/104-E-Church-Ave-Masontown-PA-15461/53293933_zpid/
Listing courtesy of Joanne Savini, Howard Hanna Myers Real Estate Services. Source: WPMLS, MLS# 1781665. Originating MLS: West Penn Multi-List.
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.
