Image copyright Sears Roebuck & Co

If you were in the market for a new home between 1908 and 1940, you may have decided to build one yourself using a kit from Sears Roebuck & Co. 

The company created well-made, stylish, affordable housing that became known as “the American dream in a box, or simply a “bungalow in a box.” Sears included the nails, hardware, windows, doors, flooring and everything else needed to assemble the house, except the foundation. Components were shipped in stages to a railroad station close to the building site. Some buyers built the homes themselves, others hired contractors.  As many as 100,000 kits were sold, many in the Philadelphia area. This article in the Philadelphia Inquirer tells their stories.

Of course, if you’re in the market for a beautiful new home today, your best bet is to go direct to a respected builder – one like Sal Paone Builders. Check out our website for available homes, or talk to us about creating your dream custom home!

Tags: affordable housing, American dream, philadelphia custom homes, Philadelphia Inquirer, phildelphia homes, stylish homes