An intriguing earth-sheltered hobbit home that looks as if it has been partly swallowed by the ground around it has hit the market in Massachusetts for the incredibly affordable price of $450,000.
At first glance, you could be forgiven for missing the unique Hanson abode, which blends so seamlessly into its natural surroundings.
But upon closer inspection, the home is revealed to have been meticulously designed to merge with the land around it, a concept that makes the property appear incredibly petite from the exterior.
Proving that you should never judge a book by its cover, however, one step inside the front door reveals a spacious and airy home with soaring ceilings and brightly lit living spaces.
“It has soaring ceilings with three out of four sides supported by the earth,” says listing agent Rachel Lalli, of the Charles King Group. “I have never seen anything like it before.”
Located on 1.55 acres on the South Shore, the one-bedroom residence boasts a surprisingly open floor plan with 1,328 square feet of modern living space.
Built in 1983, the cozy abode last traded hands for $289,000 in October 2019.
The energy-efficient residence is certainly an uncommon find in New England.
When you enter the home, a spacious foyer flows into a country kitchen with oak cabinetry and white appliances.
A separate dining area is adjacent to the two-story great room, which features a cathedral ceiling, brick fireplace, and wood-burning stove. A wall of windows opens to a patio.
The bedroom is located on the first floor just off the living area and offers “generous closet space, a full bathroom, and convenient laundry,” according to the listing.
A spiral staircase leads to a skylit loft area that could be used as additional accommodations or transformed into a home office, fitness center, or yoga studio.
Outside, there is a detached two-car garage that has already been equipped with heat and electricity, providing yet another opportunity to expand the living spaces, whether by converting the structure into an ADU-style guest house or by using it as a studio space.
“What makes the home even more special is that it has a commercially zoned, two-bay garage with its own utilities,” Lalli says. “It has heat and electricity already, but you could add plumbing and possibly build a one-unit apartment.
“It could be used as a workshop, business, or accessory dwelling unit. The buyer would have to do their due diligence and go to the town for all of the necessary approvals.”
“It’s a beautiful retreat lot,” she notes. “I think the next buyer will be someone who enjoys the outdoors. They could even own their own business that they could operate out of the garage, but it will likely be used as a primary residence.”
For those who want the best of both worlds, combining rural relaxation with metropolitan convenience, the home is ideally located within commuting distance of Boston.
“Hanson is a small town that is known for having lots of land,” Lalli says. “It also has access to the commuter rail into Boston and has a good school system.”
Anyone eager to seize their opportunity and snap up the hobbit home had better act fast.
“We have three open houses scheduled this weekend, and I think it will sell quickly,” Lalli says.
