5 Storybook Houses Priced Below $500K for a Fairy-Tale Ending to Your Homebuying Journey

Imagine yourself in a home worthy of a short story—or even a novel.

It’s no fairy tale—you can buy a wonderful storybook home right now, and you don’t even need to wish upon a star to make this dream a reality. You simply need to know where to shop.

That’s why we sifted through pages and pages of listings to highlight the most enchanting—and affordable—homes on the market right now.

We spotted five sweet storybook residences listed for less than a half-million bucks. Sure, you might need to set aside more than few breadcrumbs to ensure your homebuying tale ends happily ever after, but the satisfaction of scoring one of these charmers will make the process worthwhile.

Scroll down to see exactly where you can start the next chapter of your life.

155 N Pheasant Run Rd, Coupeville, WA

Price: $315,000
The skinny in the Pacific Northwest: Just south of the San Juan islands and north of Seattle, this pleasant storybook home near Skagit Bay is an ideal retreat for a buyer seeking to escape the city.

Sitting on 5 gated acres filled with natural beauty and wildlife, the slim shingled residence is cute inside and packs a compact punch. While it doesn’t have a septic system in place, power and water are available and there’s even a shed that serves as a rustic washroom.

17 Wilmont Ave, Washington, PA

Price: $339,000
Pleasing in Pennsylvania: Just south of Pittsburgh, this three-level storybook home with plenty of curb appeal dates to 1940. Vintage charm oozes in the interior, but a new owner will likely want to set aside some budget for wallpaper removal and new paint.

Featuring five bedrooms and priced at just $104 per square foot, this charming home is what a bargain hunter is seeking.

N7843 540th St, Tainter Township, WI

Price: $474,000
Fairy-tale feeling: You can easily imagine the Brothers Grimm weaving a tale about this three-bedroom home in the northern part of the Badger State. Closer to Minneapolis than Milwaukee, the home sits on a lot filled with trees that shroud it from prying eyes.

Inside, the dated home could use a period-appropriate refresh. It sits on the banks of Tainter Lake and boasts a small brick patio out back from which a new owner can gaze out at the water.

1781 Oxford Way, Stockton, CA

Price: $424,950
California dreamy: It might seem like a fool’s errand to find a cute home priced below a half-million in the Golden State. But you just need to know where to shop.

Stockton, in California’s Central Valley, is worth a look for cost-conscious buyers fleeing the San Francisco Bay Area.

This adorable three-bedroom home shaded by mature trees features wood floors, a fireplace, and original windows. The green paint on the exterior might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does add a touch of whimsy to the home.

1207 N 3rd St, Temple, TX

Price: $385,000
Brick beauty: This Tudor gem was built in 1929. With nearly 3,800 square feet of living space, the list price comes out to just $102 per square foot. That’s a bargain worth bragging about!

Inside, you’ll find arched doorways, numerous built-ins, and a huge fireplace. Work is required to bring this beautiful home back to its full glory. For a buyer who isn’t afraid of a DIY project, this four-bedroom residence is an intriguing option.