Fixer-Upper Friday: A Remnant of Old Southie

This rowhouse does not have granite countertops, a rain shower, or a Nest thermostat.

By Madeline Bilis· 6/8/2018, 12:06 p.m.

Photo via Reliant Real Estate, Inc.

2 Onslow Terrace, South Boston
Price: $650,000
Size: 1,496 square feet
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 1.5

Its listing description calls this property a “unique opportunity to own a single family house with Old Southie Charm.” And that’s…not wrong. A remnant of so-called Old Southie, before rowhouses were outfitted with subway tile and shiplap, this single-family reflects the neighborhood character of yesteryear. And with a few minor updates, it’ll be restored to its original glory.

The baby blue-painted holdout sits at the end of a private alleyway in City Point. It (refreshingly) does not boast granite countertops, a rain shower, or a Nest thermostat, like many of the newly refurbished pads in the neighborhood. Instead, it has some original ceiling medallions, wood paneling, and pastel-colored floral wallpaper. The place offers a reasonably spacious eat-in kitchen, too, and three good-sized bedrooms. An additional room on the top floor could be transformed into an office or a playroom, and on the first floor, there’s a laundry nook.

With some new wall coverings and floors that accentuate the circa 1890 building’s period details, and maybe a tastefully remodeled kitchen, the rowhouse will be ready for move-in.

The cherry on top of it all might be the home’s somewhat reasonable price tag. The median price of a single-family home in Southie right now is $809,000, which puts this one well under the average at $650,000. Bostonians jaded by sky-high housing costs know that’s pretty good for walking distance from the L Street Bathhouse.

For information, contact Jeffrey Sill, Reliant Real Estate, Inc., realtor.com.