She’s living holy.
Today’s house prices are so high that one Pennsylvania woman purchased a massive church for cheap and is encouraging others to do the same.
Priscilla Houliston has established herself on social media with informative videos about life in a historic church in the Keystone State.
It might sound unconventional, but given the current economic environment, Houliston might be onto something.
In one of her many viral videos, Houliston says, “I’m going to show you so many churches right now, all under $100,000. You find one, you buy it, and it’s easy.”
But is it actually that simple?
Just as someone would look at homes for sale online, Houliston used a commercial real estate site called Loopnet to bring up very reasonably priced churches that are currently on the market.
Stunning churches all over the US, ranging from 1,921 to 4,500 square feet, and that only cost $50,000 to $100,000, appeared on the screen behind Houliston in her video.
“Just search old church for sale,” as there are “over 6,000 churches for sale in the US alone,” she excitedly told her millions of viewers.
All of this sounds a little too good to be true — and it might be, to a certain extent.
One commenter on the video pointed out, “But you can’t move in until it becomes a residential home. I purchased a church 9 months ago and I still haven’t been able to move in because the city wanted me to add a driveway change the electrical redo the plumbing blah blah blah blah blah.”
“I still haven’t been able to move in they haven’t approved it as a residential home yet and until that happens you cannot move in you can buy the church but if you want to move in you better make sure you ask a lot of questions first,” the continued comment read.
In which Houliston replied, “Zoning is important.”
Houliston was right. “Zoning regulations can significantly impact your ability to purchase a religious building – whether you’re looking for your congregation or yourself,” John Muzyka, of Church Realty, told Realtor.com.
The expert told the outlet that those in the market for a church to live in should seek out the permit department of the area they want to buy in, which can provide them with all the necessary information they need, like permits and approvals.
With that in mind, if future churchowners don’t mind some stained glass and a large echo, a church might be the solution to purchasing a reasonably priced home in today’s market.
And other commenters seem to agree.
“My uncle did this. We call it the Chouse.”
“My sisters mother in law lives in a church. It’s like 7 bedrooms. [It] came with a kitchen and several bathrooms with concrete sealed floors on land and was under $100,000.”
One commenter even offered some helpful advice.
“Please! If you buy a church have the stain glass appraised and turn that in to your insurance company! My husband and I learned a huge lesson after having a fire. The insurance company didn’t pay a dime for the stained glass and told us it was because he never got it appraised! He was told by many people the stained glass in our church was worth 40 to 50k.”
