An extraordinary house that is both an optical illusion and a private residence has hit the market on the edge of Vermont’s Mad River, offering a somewhat ‘crazy’ opportunity to live in a true work of art.
The building, which is the work of an architect John Connellfounder of the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, is part of a community of homes built to “address the challenges of 21st century housing,” according to the listing.
Located in Waitsfield, VT, the two-bedroom, 1.5-bath home is for sale for $495,000.
The two-bedroom, multi-story home overlooks the Mad River and features 1,594 square feet of quirky living space with geometric-shaped windows, skylights and vaulted ceilings. These standout features have helped the home reach the top of the list of most popular homes of the week.
Stunning highlights found throughout the open floor plan include a curved bridge accessed via an open staircase, leading to a loft overlooking the living room. The kitchen is equipped with dimensional cabinetry and the master suite has access to a cantilevered terrace designed as if it is ‘floating in the air’.
The house was built in 1990 and received a Preservation Award in 2026. The property last traded in 2023 for $82,000. An easement through the property provides access to the Mad River Path.
Other properties gaining attention this week include a mid-century modern time capsule in Arkansas, an affordable two-home property in Montana surrounded by farmland, and a multi-family container structure in New Orleans that is about to be completed.
Price: $495,000
Why it’s here: It’s a historic brick Tudor full of charming architectural details and a surprisingly modern kitchen.
Built in 1930, the 4,398-square-foot residence in Upper Essex Heights features original Pewabic Pottery tiles in the foyer, “an iconic feature of Michigan’s celebrated Arts & Crafts tradition,” and a walnut-paneled library with built-in bookcases and a map of the antebellum world along the wall. Other highlights include a cozy sunroom, a glass-enclosed sunroom, a formal dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, two family rooms, three fireplaces, a renovated loft, and a primary suite with a private garden-view terrace with outdoor fireplace.
A partially finished basement offers a recreation room, bar, full workshop and bonus room that can be used as a fitness center, home office or studio.
Michael Barbour of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Snyder & Company, Realtors is the listing agent.
Price: $550,000
Why it’s here: Elgin Mansion offers an investor the affordable opportunity to use this eight-bedroom residence “with great potential for a bed and breakfast” for income potential through tourist rentals.
The Pelton Mansion measures 6,040 square feet, spans three floors and features 14 well-preserved rooms. Designed by architect Gilbert M. Turnbull Built in 1889, the “move-in ready” building features many historic details, including built-ins, custom millwork, hardwood floors, coffered ceilings, a grand curved staircase and three fireplaces.
Located in the Elgin Historic District, the half-acre estate has been “a beloved part of the Historic Elgin House Tour for many years” and overlooks the Fox River.
Larry Naselli of Baird & Warner Far Northwest Suburban is the listing agent.
Price: $2,500,000
Why it’s here: It’s one Fay Jones– designed mid-century modern home on Mount Sequoyah that has been carefully preserved since its construction in 1969.
The four-bedroom time capsule is designed to blend in with its surroundings. A sunken living room has a slate floor, built-in seating, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and a retractable glass wall, which opens to a spacious patio. Vaulted ceilings, wood paneling, stone details and expansive glass are found throughout the 4,900-square-foot interior. Other impressive amenities include a dining room with custom built-ins, an entertainment kitchen with double ovens and two refrigerators, and a lower level with bar and kitchenette.
Stone patios overlooking a koi pond offer beautiful skyline views.
Lee Ward of Realty Concepts is the listing agent.
Price: $1,849,500
Why it’s here: The Alice Lynch House was built in 1922 for the poet of the same name and is designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 621.
The Spanish Colonial Revival adobe has been carefully modernized while maintaining its architectural integrity. The 2,560-square-foot, energy-efficient interior features exposed beams, original hardwood floors, a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace and curved glass French doors that open to a central courtyard.
The updated chef’s kitchen features custom stucco cabinets, mahogany butcher block countertops, a breakfast nook and a pass-through window to the courtyard for “effortless entertaining.”
Built-in outdoor seating surrounding a sculptural cactus overlooks the landscaped garden with a water feature, avocado tree and fire pit.
Molly Kelley of Compass is the listing agent.
Price: $275,000
Why it’s here: It is the very affordable opportunity to purchase two homes on 4.54 acres of privacy, surrounded by farmland.
Located minutes away from the Tiber Dam and Lake Elwell, the adorable farmhouse features a four-bedroom main residence, an attached two-car garage, and a two-bedroom house, which can be used for multi-generational living, guesthouses, or income potential.
The smaller one-story home has large windows, wood paneling, a skylight and a fireplace. The main duplex features built-in appliances, glass block details, a fireplace and two kitchens.
Additional structures include a silo, a storage building and a detached two-car garage.
Sasha Keller of Keller Realty is the listing agent.
Price: $285,000
Why it’s here: This historic three-bedroom house ‘with distinctive style’ was built in 1860 and has been completely modernized.
The modernized interior features wooden beamed ceilings and white painted hardwood floors. Vaulted ceilings and built-ins remain intact throughout the 1,266-square-foot home. A finished lower level can be used for entertaining or transformed into a home office or fitness center.
The covered front porch and back patio with outdoor fireplace would be a nice place for morning coffee.
Hayley Talbot of Lamacchia Realty is the listing agent.
Price: $269,000
Why it’s here: It is a cheap opportunity to purchase a 95.43 hectare former dairy farm with a cottage and tennis courts. It is being offered for the first time in more than a century.
The three-season home is “presented in a thoughtful manner to encourage renovation, enhancement and enhancement” and offers spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley. The two-parcel property was originally created by a federal judge George Morris and his wife, Lulaan author. The 1,106-square-foot wood-paneled interior features a cozy living room with fireplace, a dining room with an oversized window overlooking the wraparound veranda, and a kitchen with antique stove.
According to the listing, some of the content is also available.
Peter W Powell of Peter W. Powell Real Estate is the listing agent.
Price: $429,000
Why it’s here: Built in 1759, the Case House has been “meticulously maintained” over the years and remains full of charm and character.
Original details include wide wooden floors, hand-hewn beams, raised panel doors, hand-forged hardware and an open kitchen with beehive oven. Other amenities include formal living and dining rooms, a family room with wood-burning stove, and a loft with an antique loom and “other antique items.”
The 2.4 hectare plot comes with a two-storey barn, a detached three-car garage with workshop, garden shed, pump house and tractor shed.
Wynne Lord of Coldwell Banker Realty is the listing agent.
Price: $200,000
Why it’s here: Here is the affordable opportunity to finish what was started to convert this container structure into a multi-family home.
The work that has started includes “piers, framing, windows, plumbing, electrical and drywall.” In the meantime, the floors, painting, bathrooms and kitchens need to be completed. One side of the building offers three bedrooms and the other side two bedrooms.
Buyers could live on one side and generate income by renting out the other unit.
Erik Stephans of Compass Metro (LATT01) is the listing agent.
Price: $495,000
Why it’s here: This architectural masterpiece was designed and built by the founder of Yestermorrow John Connell. It is a recipient of a 2026 Preservation Award.
The “highly efficient and exciting” multi-level structure, built in 1990 and “distinctly lacking walls,” features a whimsical interior with geometrically shaped windows, angled custom cabinetry, vaulted ceilings and skylights. A staircase without railings leads to a curved bridge, which opens into an attic.
A cantilevered deck, designed to make you feel like you’re “floating in the air,” overlooks the Mad River.
Charles Klein of Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Waitsfield is the listing agent.
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