Tired of over priced housing? Escape from those ridiculous rents and inflated real estate prices. Check out another part of America where housing prices are reasonable.

Keokuk, Iowa is located on Highway 61 (the one Bob Dylan wrote the song about, and titled his famous album for) The town is situated on a bluff 150 feet above the Mississippi River (no flood issues) in the Southeastern tip of Iowa. Highway 61 is also called the “Blues Highway” as it winds from northern Minnesota to New Orleans along the Mississippi River. Outside Memphis is the famous ‘crossroads’ Blues Great Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil to teach him to play blues guitar.

Keokuk is across the river from Hamilton, Illinois, and it is five miles to the Missouri state line. This part of Highway 61 is called Historic "Mark Twain" country. Twain’s mother lived in Keokuk, and he was a frequent visitor. Quincy, Illinois (famous Lincoln/ Douglas debates) is 40 miles south and another 20 miles to Hannibal, Missouri. Chicago can be reached from Macon, Il. and is a 20 dollar train ride away. St Louis is 160 miles south (2 hours by car) and is the closest major airport.

825 Orleans is a large two Story 16 room House. It is located one block off Grand avenue "Millionaires Row" with mansions from the turn of the last century and their fabulous river views. There is even a yacht club on the river and a small airport. The property has investment potential as a bed and breakfast. Navuoo, Il. is located 12 miles away. There is a famous Mormon Church that brings tourists from May to October.

The house has 7 bedrooms, 3 baths. There are two front entrances to the property. A four room rental could be accomplished by closing off two interior doors. In addition there is a 1000 sq ft. cement basement divided into 6 rooms with large dual 400 amp electrical panels. If hydroponics is your hobby this is a great feature. There is lots of storage and a large attic.


Heating is electric baseboard. I added a Hearth Stone high efficiency ($5,000) "Mansfield" model wood burning stove. There is carpet, linoleum, and wood flooring. Floors in the rear of the house that were remodeled need finishing. I would suggest new flooring except the rooms I installed laminate. Some furnishings can be included in the price. Sofas, chairs, beds. etc. Appliances need updating and interior needs some attention as reflected in the very low price. See photos at the link below.

I am a professional artist. The house was an excellent studio gallery. have lived off and on at the house for 6 years. I have business commitments on the west coast that require me to relocate.

I was told by the person I purchased the property from in 2006 that he spent $45K on the tear down of the back 1/3 of the building and for the remodel of the back of the house. I have painted the interior, installed fixtures, flooring, and have done repairs to the roof. I have invested $15,000 in the property over the time I have owned it.

There is no garage but the large lot can easily accommodate building one off the rear alley. Some of the Hardware stores advertise garage "kits" starting at $5,000 (single car) DIY on your slab. The exterior of the house could use paint. When I purchased the property 6 years ago houses in the neighborhood sold for $75K to $125K completely finished. Houses on Grand Ave sell for $300K up. I have priced the house at very reasonable $69,000 in anticipation that the new buyer would be able to invest in improvements. The property is offered "as is condition" to the best cash offer. This is a lot of house for a very small price in a very nice neighborhood.


photos of the interior of house : http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x43/intullivision/

information about the city: http://www.city-data.com/city/Keokuk-Iowa.html