There are cheap houses, and then there are houses that make you read the price twice. At 305 N Ewing St in Tallula, Illinois, a red-brick Victorian built in 1892 with 5 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and 3,144 square feet is listed for $49,900. That is about $16 per square foot, on a 1.29-acre lot, with 8 gas fireplaces, beautiful natural woodwork, stained glass and a turret bay.
The listing is just as clear about the other side of the story. The home is "in need of extensive repairs and restoration," it is being sold strictly AS-IS, and personal property will not be removed, so whoever buys it also inherits whatever is inside. The photos show peeling plaster, a kitchen and bathroom that need full restoration, and rooms crowded with stored furniture and artwork. Even so, the listing pulled in roughly 532 views and 50 saves in its first 10 hours on Zillow. Below is everything the listing shares, what the photos show, what the numbers mean and what a buyer should check before getting attached.
Quick Look: The Listing Details
| Address | 305 N Ewing St, Tallula, IL 62688 |
| List price | $49,900 (about $16 per sq ft) |
| Bedrooms / bathrooms | 5 bedrooms (all on the upper level) / 2 full bathrooms |
| Living area | 3,144 sq ft (1,572 sq ft on each of two levels) |
| Lot | 1.29 acres (250.6 x 223.4); the description says approximately 1.5 acres |
| Year built | 1892 |
| Construction | Brick, brick/mortar foundation, shingle roof |
| Fireplaces | 8, gas starter |
| Heating / cooling | Electric, hot water heat; central air |
| Basement | Full, unfinished |
| Parking | 2 attached garage spaces; attached, detached and gravel parking listed |
| Extra structures | A guest house, per the listing, plus outbuildings shown in the photos |
| Utilities | Public water and public sewer |
| HOA | None |
| Annual tax (listing) | $1,512; tax assessed value $88,842 |
| Condition | Needs extensive repairs and restoration; sold strictly as-is; personal property stays |
| Flood zone (listing) | FEMA Zone X (unshaded), a minimal-risk flood area |
| Listed by | Jami R. Winchester, The Real Estate Group, Inc. (MLS# CA1047562) |
The Big Story: A Grand House That Fell Asleep
The listing calls it "once a grand Victorian home filled with elegance and charm," and says plainly that "there’s no denying this home was truly magnificent in its day." Looking at the exterior, it is easy to see why. The house is solid red brick with a steep gabled roofline, a covered front porch and a rounded turret bay on the corner, the kind of silhouette that defined well-to-do small-town homes in the Midwest at the end of the 19th century.
What makes this listing unusual is the combination of size and price. Five bedrooms and more than 3,100 square feet usually cost several times this much, even in rural Illinois. Zillow’s automated Zestimate is $191,900, with a range of $150,000 to $236,000, but that figure is generated by an algorithm that cannot see the peeling walls, the clutter or the cost of the work ahead. Treat it as a curiosity, not as a guide to what the house is worth today.
Inside: 8 Fireplaces, Stained Glass and Natural Woodwork
Zillow’s highlight for this home is "beautiful natural woodwork," and the photos back that up. Dark wood trim frames the doorways and bay windows, and much of it looks unpainted, which is exactly what restorers hope to find. The front room has a mantel fireplace with a mirror, a chandelier and a hardwood floor that is worn but still there.
The listing counts an impressive 8 gas fireplaces. Before anyone gets excited about lighting all of them on the first cold night, each one needs to be inspected: the gas lines, the starters, the flues and the chimneys of a house this age can all hide problems.
One of the most charming rooms is the library, with built-in bookshelves, a doorway into the next room and a stained-glass window. The dining area has another stained-glass window and a set of bay windows framed in dark wood. Stained glass and original built-ins are among the hardest features to replace in an old house, so their survival is a big part of this home’s appeal.
According to the room list, the main level holds a 24-foot living room (24’4" x 14’5"), a family room (17’6" x 14’4"), the kitchen (11’6" x 12’1") and another 14’6" x 18′ room. All five bedrooms are upstairs, from a generous 13’3" x 17’8" room down to a small 7’1" x 9’7" room that could work as a nursery, office or dressing room.
The Reality Check: Kitchen, Bath and Clutter
This is where the "extensive repairs" part of the listing becomes very real. The kitchen has dark wood cabinets and a badly worn, stained wall, and it needs full restoration. A bay-window nook shows red carpet covered in debris. The bathroom has a classic clawfoot tub worth saving, but the walls are only partly tiled and the surfaces are peeling.
Then there is the clutter. The listing says all personal property will not be removed. In plain terms, the furniture, framed artwork and stored items you see in the photos are expected to stay, and clearing them out becomes the buyer’s job and the buyer’s cost. Budget for dumpsters, hauling and possibly an estate sale before any real renovation can start. Some buyers see that as a burden. Others see a chance to find period pieces worth keeping.
The Land, the Guest House and the Outbuildings
The lot measures 1.29 acres (250.6 x 223.4 feet) according to the listing facts, while the description says "approximately 1.5 acres," so confirm the exact boundaries with a survey. Either way, that is a lot of room for an in-town village property, with mature trees all around the house.
The description also says the property "includes a guest house, adding even more potential." The photos show two outbuildings: a red-sided building with an attached gray shed section, and a small stucco building with a red tile roof and a boarded, broken window. Ask the agent which structure is the guest house, what condition it is in, and whether it has utilities.
Price History and Taxes
Zillow’s price history shows the home last sold on August 1, 2013, for $54,900, after being listed earlier that year at $74,900 and cut several times. The new listing on November 3, 2026, at $49,900 is noted as 9.1% below that 2013 sale. In other words, the house is listed for less than it sold for 13 years ago.
The listing shows an annual tax amount of $1,512 and a tax assessed value of $88,842. Zillow’s public tax history shows lower recent bills: $852 in 2024 on an assessment of $29,614. Illinois assesses most property at one-third of market value, which is why $29,614 is exactly one-third of $88,842. Ask the agent which tax figure is current, and expect taxes to be reassessed after a sale and renovation.
About Tallula, Illinois
Tallula is a small village in southwestern Menard County, part of the Springfield, Illinois metropolitan area. It was laid out in 1857, with William G. Greene among its founders, and incorporated in the early 1870s. The population was 434 at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimated about 420 residents in 2025, so this is genuine small-town living.
Illinois Route 123 passes along the southeast side of the village and leads about 10 miles northeast to Petersburg, the county seat. Springfield, the state capital, is roughly 20 miles to the southeast, and Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, the reconstructed village where Abraham Lincoln lived as a young man, is nearby. Schools listed on Zillow include Petersburg Elementary (rating not available), Porta Central (6/10) and Porta High School (3/10), all about 6 miles away. Always verify school assignments with the district.
What a Restoration Buyer Should Check First
A house this old, sold as-is and full of belongings, rewards buyers who do their homework. Before making an offer, look closely at:
- Structure and masonry: Have the brick walls, the brick/mortar foundation and the chimneys inspected for cracks, settling and mortar loss. Tuckpointing a large brick house is a real cost.
- Roof and water damage: The peeling plaster suggests moisture at some point. Find the source before planning cosmetic work.
- The 8 fireplaces: Get the gas lines, starters, flues and chimney liners checked before using any of them.
- Heating and cooling: The listing shows electric, hot water heat and central air. Confirm what works and how old the equipment is.
- Electrical and plumbing: Plan for a licensed electrician and plumber to assess everything in a house built in 1892.
- Lead paint and other hazards: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, which affects renovation methods and costs.
- Clean-out costs: Personal property stays, so price the clean-out before you bid.
- Lot size and guest house: Confirm the acreage (1.29 vs. about 1.5 acres) and the condition and legal use of the guest house.
- Financing: Many lenders will not finance a home in this condition. Line up cash or a renovation loan first.
Who Is This House For?
This is a project for restorers, handy buyers with time and savings, and old-house lovers who dream of bringing a Victorian back from the edge. The low price leaves room in the budget for real work, and the acreage, fireplaces, woodwork and stained glass give a restored version real character. It is not a fit for anyone who needs a move-in-ready home or a standard mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Victorian at 305 N Ewing St in Tallula, IL?
It is listed at $49,900, about $16 per square foot.
How big is the house and lot?
The home has 5 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and 3,144 square feet on two levels, on a 1.29-acre lot according to the listing facts (the description says about 1.5 acres).
How many fireplaces does it have?
The listing says 8 gas fireplaces with gas starters.
What condition is it in?
The listing says it needs extensive repairs and restoration and is sold strictly as-is. Personal property will not be removed.
Is there a guest house?
Yes, the listing description says the property includes a guest house. Ask the agent which outbuilding it is and what condition it is in.
What does Zillow estimate it is worth?
The Zestimate is $191,900, with a range of $150,000 to $236,000. It is an automated estimate that does not account for the home’s condition.
Is it in a flood zone?
The listing places it in FEMA Zone X (unshaded), a minimal-risk flood area.
Final Thoughts
A brick 1892 Victorian with 5 bedrooms, 8 fireplaces, stained glass, natural woodwork, a turret bay and a guest house on more than an acre, for $49,900. The catch is spelled out plainly: extensive repairs, an as-is sale and a house full of someone else’s belongings. For a patient buyer with a realistic budget, this is the kind of house that could become a showplace again. If you are interested, move quickly, bring an inspector and a contractor, 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/305-N-Ewing-St-Tallula-IL-62688/105654740_zpid/
Listing courtesy of Jami R. Winchester, The Real Estate Group, Inc. Source: RMLS Alliance as distributed by MLS GRID, MLS# CA1047562. Originating MLS: Capital Area Association of Realtors.
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.
