Watch CBS News

10 homes you can buy for $90,000

Photo courtesy of Zillow

Which amenities come standard in homes listed for $90,000? Like most real estate questions, the answer is: It depends on location.

In Chicago's West Roger's Park area, $90,000 can buy a 1,000-square-foot co-op with a beamed ceiling. On the northwest side of Detroit, it can buy a 4,791-square-foot Tudor-style house with built-in bookshelves.

Homes priced around $90,000 cost about 54 percent less than the national median home value, which is currently $196,500 according to Zillow, but that doesn't mean you can't find one with updated features like refinished hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances or granite countertops.

Depending on where you search, you could even find properties with large outdoor spaces and attached garages. More often than not, however, buyers looking in this price range should expect limited luxuries and potentially substantial repair costs.

Buys this inexpensive are often risky. Be on the lookout for red flags like high crime rates, poor academic performance in local schools and the length of time similar houses spend on the market in a particular area.

Whether you're buying a full-time residence for yourself or an investment property, it pays to do your research. If you're not familiar with the neighborhood or find too many potential issues, it might be worth waiting and paying a little more somewhere else.

Click ahead to see what you can buy for $90,000 in 10 cities across the country.

Chicago, Illinois

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op in the West Roger's Park neighborhood of Chicago is for sale for $87,000. It costs about 52 percent less than the area's median home value of $182,500 and has been on the market since July 2016.

Chicago, Illinois

Photo courtesy of Zillow

The unit has beamed ceilings, an eat-in kitchen and hardwood flooring throughout.

Columbus, Ohio

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This three-bedroom, one bathroom home in the Southside neighborhood of Columbus is for sale for $89,900. It last sold in December 2012 for $30,000, about one-third of the current price. It was originally built in 1900 and is almost exactly the area's median home value of $90,000.

Columbus, Ohio

Photo courtesy of Zillow

The house was last remodeled in 1996 and has updated cabinets and countertops, according to the listing. It has stainless steel appliances, a fenced-in yard and attached garage.

Houston, Texas

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This one-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse in Houston is for sale for $89,500. It was built in 1980 and costs about 42 percent less than the area's median home value of $153,400.

Houston, Texas

Photo courtesy of Zillow

It has a lofted bedroom, wood-burning fireplace, backyard patio and granite countertops.

Chatsworth, California

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Chatsworth, California -- about 30 miles from Los Angeles -- is for sale for $86,750. It was built in 1997 and costs nearly 86 percent less than the area's median home value of $598,700.

Chatsworth, California

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This home has a laundry room and carport. It's located in a community with a shared pool and recreation room.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the Irvington neighborhood of Indianapolis is for sale for $90,000. It was built in 1915 and costs just barely more than the area's median home value of $89,600.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Photo courtesy of Zillow

The home was "totally" renovated in 1992, according to the listing. It has a small front porch, a mudroom that leads to a fenced backyard and a 2.5-car garage with workshop space.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house in Milwaukee is for sale for $89,900. It most recently sold about a month ago for $90,500, according to Zillow, and was relisted just days later. It was built in 1937 and costs about 37 percent more than the area's median home value of $65,500.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Photo courtesy of Zillow

The home has the original hardwood floors, granite countertops, new cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, according to the listing. It has a lower level with its own entrance, living room space and a half-bath.

Atlanta, Georgia

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This seven-bedroom, three-bathroom home in the Washington Park neighborhood of Atlanta is for sale for $90,000. It was built in 1955 and costs almost 69 percent more than the area's median home value of $53,400.

Atlanta, Georgia

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This bungalow was last remodeled in 1975, according to the listing, and has a finished basement with a second kitchen, family room and three of the home's bedrooms. Listing photos indicate the property could be in need of some updates and repairs.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This three-bedroom, one-bathroom brick house in the Carrick neighborhood of Pittsburgh is for sale for $89,890. It was last sold in September 2004 for $76,800, about 15 percent less than the current sale price. It was built in 1947 and costs about 48 percent more than the area's median home value of $60,700.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Photo courtesy of Zillow

It has hardwood floors (that could use some work if the listing photos are any indication), a fireplace and French doors leading to a semi-fenced backyard.

Detroit, Michigan

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom, Tudor-style home in the Bagley neighborhood of Northwest Detroit is for sale for $89,900. It was last sold in June 2016 for $20,500, about 77 percent less than the current price. It was built in 1935 and is about 77 percent more than the area's median home value of $50,800.

Detroit, Michigan

Photo courtesy of Zillow

It is "completely remodeled," according to the listing, with a library and built-in bookshelves, refinished hardwood floors, a breakfast nook and a detached two-car garage.

Staten Island, New York

Photo courtesy of Zillow

This two-bedroom, one-bathroom modular home in the Port Ivory neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, is for sale for $89,900. It last sold in October 2012 for $40,000, less than half of the current sale price. It was built in 1983 and is about 73 percent less than the area's median home value of $336,800.

Staten Island, New York

Photo courtesy of Zillow

The home has hardwood floors, granite countertops and a jetted bathtub.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.