A 4-Bedroom Fixer on 8.6 Acres in “New California”: Spencer, WV — $145,000

Spencer, West Virginia carries one of the more unusual origin stories among American county seats. In 1839, a man named Raleigh Butcher sold his property on Reedy Creek intending to move to California — but he only made it as far as present-day Spencer before stopping for good, and the settlement became known as “New California” for decades before being renamed in 1858 for Judge Spencer Roane. Long before that, in 1812, the area’s first European settlers lived in a cave near what’s now Spencer Middle School. The town later became the hometown of country songwriter Tom T. Hall, who got his start as a local radio DJ. On 8.6 acres just outside that same storied town, a four-bedroom home at 2282 Lick Frk is now listed at $145,000.

Critical Disclosures: Read Before Making an Offer

This listing comes with several important conditions that materially affect the buying process, and buyers should understand all of them upfront:

• This is a government-owned property sold through VRM Properties. All offers must be submitted through www.VRMProperties.com, and agents must register as a user, enter the property address, and click “Start Offer” to participate. This property may also qualify for seller (Vendee) financing.
• The home will not qualify for most conventional financing due to mechanical repairs required to restore utility service. Cash or specialized financing (such as an FHA 203(k) renovation loan, where applicable) is likely necessary.
• The plumbing did not hold positive air pressure during inspection, indicating a leak or failure somewhere in the system that will need to be located and repaired before water service can be safely restored.
• Lead-based paint may be present, as is standard disclosure language for any property of this era, though buyers should confirm the applicable disclosure period with the listing agent given the home’s 1982 construction date.

Given all of the above, this property is explicitly positioned as a blank canvas for buyers who love country living and are prepared to handle significant repairs before the home is fully livable.

What the Home Offers

Built in 1982, the raised ranch-style home totals 1,092 square feet, with all four bedrooms, both full bathrooms, the kitchen, dining room, living room, and a dedicated utility room on the single main level. A full, unfinished basement adds real potential for future finished living space once the home’s systems are restored. A sprawling porch wraps around part of the exterior, and an oversized storage building with an attached carport provides equipment storage well beyond what the home itself offers.

Eight-Plus Acres of Country Land

At 8.6 acres, the property offers genuine rural space to match its “blank canvas” positioning — room for gardens, small livestock, or simply the privacy that comes with acreage rather than a standard lot, once the necessary repairs are complete.

The Numbers

Why Spencer

Spencer is the county seat of Roane County, home to the historic Robey Theatre downtown and the annual West Virginia Black Walnut Festival each October, one of the state’s longest-running fall celebrations. The surrounding hills feature Charles Fork Lake, host to the annual Tour de Lake bike race, and the nearby Spring Heights Education Center. For a buyer specifically prepared to take on a genuine renovation project — restoring water service, addressing the plumbing, and bringing the home fully back to livable condition — this property offers real acreage and space at a price that reflects the work ahead.

This is a government-owned property. All offers must be submitted through VRMProperties.com. Reach out to a VRM-registered listing agent for details on the offer process and Vendee financing eligibility.