When I purchased my home here in South Carolina over 3 years ago, the realtor made it a point to mention the house was a Sears Kit home. Ever since that time my wife and I have been trying to confirm this. We have found no stamped numbers on lumber and there is a rock plaque on one of the porch pillars that has 1920 with the previous homeowners fathers initials underneath. Since this time two other life-long residence of the area have told me the same thing that my home is a sears kit home. I have attached a picture and would like any input as to the possible origins of my home.

Thanks,
Dave

Hello Dave,
Our server is full of pictures and cannot take any more, so in order to post pictures you would have to join either photo bucket or Frlickr of which I use. www.flickr.com it is free and you may set up a gallery of pictures in it and then post the pictures you may wish.

I for one am looking forward to seeing your home.

Respectfully,

Ralph

Try the link below

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii70/armani1man/flatrock.jpg

More photos

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii70/armani1man/More...20livingpaint013.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii70/armani1man/IMG_0074.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii70/armani1man/IMG_0283.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii70/armani1man/flatrock.jpg

Hi Dave, Rose Thornton and Rebecca Hunter helped me identify my house this past week as a Sears home.(Thanks guys)
My house looked exactly like one from the 1908 catalog but I couldn't find any stamps or markings to identify it as such. They informed me that some Sears houses were sold as plans and materials and the lumber was not pre-cut or stamped. My house was also built in 1920. Good luck with your search.

It's just maddening to think about how many times I've gone behind a real estate agent, babbling on about something being a "Sears kit home" when in fact, it is *NOT* a Sears kit home.

In one small town in Northern Virginia, a homeowner became quite upset when I had to tell her the TRUTH - that her home was not a Sears Home. She'd been talked into paying a premium price, based on a real estate agent saying, THIS IS A SEARS HOME."

It's possible your home is a kit from a regional company or that it was a plan book home, but it does not appear to be ANY design of kit home with which I am familiar.

Rose

Ms. Thornton,

I was informed by the elderly lady I from whom I purchased my home that it was a Sears floor plan. She was the second owner and just as old as the house. It was built in 1923 in Cincinnati, OH. I attached a photo. I think it is the Roanoke floor plan??? Do you know of any links or websites that have photos of updated Roanoke models. As you can see in the photo, the house underwent cheao upgrades in the 60's or 70's with the entire exterior wrapped in aluminum siding. I want to spruce up the exterior and bring back the original charm of the home. Any ideas from other Roanoke floor plan homes or any other similar floor plans that you may know of would be appreciated. Thank you!!!

Kevinh,

Here is an image of house #133 , also called the Springfield, with its floor plan.

Does it look like a match?

Lauren

Hey Kevin-

I don't have my book with me but I think its a Springfield. I'm in Cincinnati too - is your house in Price Hill, by chance? The only Springfield I've seen in person is in Price Hill.

I'll dig out my book and double check and get back with you.

Donna

PS It's not a roanoke.

Okay, I lied. Its not a Springfield. I'm not sure what it is.... maybe a Norwood? That front porch roof is very distinctive - is it original to the house? Is there a side entrance that we can't see on the other side of the house?

Donna

It could also be a kit house from another company as well, maybe a Gordon VanTine or an Aladdin.

Yes, there is a side entrance on the right side of the house. I thought it may have been a Roanoke by the look, but was just a guess.

My house is in Cheviot. I have seen several like it in the Linwood area of the east side, but are all in very poor repair.

I am not sure about the front porch, but I love it. It's what sold me on the house. I intend to nix all the aluminum trim clean up the wood or replace as needed.

I just started my research this week, so any links, help, suggestions, etc are appreciated.

It is definitely NOT a Roanoke. Norwood would be my guess. I've seen one Norwood in Cincinatti and none anywhere else.

Rose

Hey Rose-

You've only seen ONE Norwood? We've got at least a half a dozen - and I think I'm being conservative. I can email you their addresses and you can ck out their pics on the hamilton county auditors website if you wish.

Donna