The schoolhouse-turned-home. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty Group
- A family renovated a 1930s schoolhouse in upstate New York into a charming little home.
- They planned to use it as an Airbnb, but decided to list it for $129,900 to focus on their business.
- The 1,068-square-foot cottage found a buyer in just 10 days. Take a look inside.
In 2021, the Hallett family paid $70,000 for a schoolhouse in upstate New York, near the scenic Finger Lakes region.
The schoolhouse after its renovation. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty Group
The schoolhouse is in Springwater, New York, according to the Realtor.com listing and blog post, which is a rural town that’s a 45-minute drive south of Rochester and a 90-minute drive southeast of Buffalo.
A schoolhouse had been on the lot since the mid-1800s. After a fire destroyed the original property, this one was built in the 1930s.
The view from the rear of the house. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThe family, who live on the same street, planned to turn the house into an Airbnb. But their business, running an auto-collision shop, takes so much of their time that they decided to list it for $129,900.
They also gave it a new coat of paint. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThe charming 1,068-square-foot cottage got four offers and went into contract within 10 days this month, according to the sellers’ realtor, Bridgett Hoag of Empire Realty Group.
Inside the front door, there is a small foyer, with small chairs resembling ones that could have been used inside a schoolhouse. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty Group
Source: Realtor.com
The main room includes an open kitchen, a dining area, a living area with an original propane fireplace, and a small bedroom area with a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥-sized bed.
The window-filled main room was freshly painted blue and gray. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThe kitchen area includes a white stove, natural wood cabinets, a sink, and a breakfast bar.
The kitchen also has a dishwasher, according to the listing. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThere’s a small sleeping area in the corner of the main room, with the original chalkboard hung beside it.
A bedroom area for a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupA walk-in-closet has more than a dozen hooks, which students used to use for their coats and bags.
A closet area that pupils used. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThe bathroom needed more work to be suitable for round-the-clock residents. The family added a bathtub and shower, and redid the plumbing.
The bathroom. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThe wooden wainscoting adds a rustic feel, while newly painted green walls add a pop of color.
The sink area of the bathroom. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupA lofted bedroom is enclosed with floor-to-ceiling rails for safety.
The loft. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupOutside, a porch overlooks the half-acre property.
The porch. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupThe schoolhouse is near nature reserves and parks, including Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, which has a 20 miles of trails.
The tranquil grounds around the schoolhouse. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty GroupHoneoye Lake and Conesus Lake, two of the area’s Finger Lakes that give the region its name, are also located nearby.
Honeoye Lake. Eilif Mikkelsen/Getty Images“In small rural communities like Springwater, you don’t really see anything like an old schoolhouse come up for sale,” Hoag, the sellers’ agent, told Insider in an email.
The front of the house. Livingston Begy for Empire Realty Group
