believe it or not, this is one block from the osborne i posted earlier.

it doesnt quite match, but resemblance is strong.

i didnt mention earlier, one of the osbornes is six houses from where i lived as a kid. my bungalow was much more non-descript.

this avalon clone is one street over. no wonder i am so enamored with the style.

Hey Don, if I were doing a survey of that community and saw that Avalon, I'd put it on the list as a "definite maybe" and make a point of going inside to check it out.

The Avalon pictured here is brick and that sometimes changed the exterior look and proportions a wee bit.

That picture you've attached is very close. I sure wouldn't rule this house OUT...I'd do a little more investigation and maybe start with the home's footprint and see if it's a close match to the Sears Avalon.

Rose

do you generally find people receptive if you go to the door, say "i think your home may be a sears kit house, do you mind if i look around?"

i've never done that and not sure what to expect

The first person I ever approached was out and out rude but she probably would have been the same way toward Ed McMahon holding a million dollar cheque, it was just her nature. the only other one was very happy I made the effort although I wasn't able to give her much usable info.
I certainly don't want to discourage you because I think It is a good practice. Even if only 1 in 10 is receptive you are raising awareness.

I've only approached people who were outside. I asked them if they knew anything about the history of their house and then showed them a picture from the book of their house. I've gotten to see the inside of a 124 and a marina that way. I know a lady who owns a rodessa - boy - that is one tiny house! I've also talked to another guy who owns a rodessa because he was having a yardsale. He showed his wife the book but he didn't invite me in.

I need to get bold enough to start knocking on doors - we have so many sears houses here in Cincinnati - it would be cool to authenticate them!

The thing is, to knock on their door with a copy of my book tucked under your arm. That'll make 'em smile.

I've knocked on about 1.4 billion doors and for the most part, folks are nice. I still get the occasional door slammed in my face. In Norfolk, VA, I found an Alhambra and an Elsmore and as I walked toward the Elsmore, the man in the front yard said, "you're that Sears Lady! I've seen you on TV."

That was a supremely happy moment.

More recently, I was in a town near Oxford, PA and found FOUR sears homes in a row. I knocked on one of the doors and this very angry woman said, "I don't care what you're selling, I don't want any!" and SLAMMED the door! That was pretty humbling!

In a small town in Illinois, this messed-up looking man answered the door of a Sears Argyle (and what a pretty little Argyle it was). But he answered the door with a CHAIN SAW in his hands. In a weird voice he asked, "Honey, you wanna come in a look around? I'll show you the basement..."

I declined the offer and ran back to my car!

I talk about all this fun stuff in my field guide, "FINDING the houses That Sears Built." I've had lots of adventures. Thank goodness, I survived them!

In Los Angeles, I thought my life had ENDED. I was trying and trying to get a good photo of a Pacific Ready Cut House in a marginal area but there were all these rough looking guys in the front yard. They were a scary looking bunch, too. Chains, tattoos, etc.

Finally, the young men disappeared so I snapped the photos and took off. Just as I was driving away, this young man peeked out the door and saw me.

"Too late now, mister," I thought to myself and goosed the car and took off.

Well, about 3/4 mile later, this sooped-up nova comes screaming around the corner and pulls in front of me and slams to a stop, parked at an angle BLOCKING ME IN!!! He rolled down his window and with an angry scowl asked, "Why are you taking pictures of my house?"

I said a little prayer and begged, "God, if you want me to ever find another kit home, you gotta help me live through this."

I hopped out of the car and told him about kit homes and my work and showed him the original catalog page that featured his house and as soon as he saw that catalog picture of HIS house, his whole countenance softened. In the end, I gave him a FREE, autographed copy of my book.

But that was the scariest event in my house hunting career!

Rose (the nut) Thornton

i was riding through a totally different area of town yesterday and thought i spotted another avalon. i screeched the tires, turned at then next corner and circled back. beautiful house but not an avalon. had the extended porch but way to different otherwise.

the best part is that when i was circling to get to that house, i found another osborne. didnt have my camera. i will try to get back there next day or so and get a photo to post.

this is fun.

do they issue junior sears spotter badges? does it come with a decoder ring?

I need a badge or something! It must be osborn season or something - I just found another one here in Cincinnati last weekend.
Sometimes I'll just do a quick little jaunt down a few streets hunting for Sears houses and then there are times when I set aside a whole afternoon to canvass a neighborhood. Not too long ago I found what I suspect is a customized alhambra - it was built as a two family and it is pretty weird looking.