Ohio Home Built 90% Underground Hits Market for $850,000

HURON, Ohio — A remarkable Ohio property is attracting attention for a simple reason: most of the house is hidden beneath the ground.

The unusual earth-sheltered home in Huron has been listed for $850,000 and sits on roughly eight acres along the Huron River. About 90% of the residence is underground, built directly into the side of a hill.

A House With a Grass Roof

Built in 1977, the concrete home was designed to blend into its surroundings.

Its roof is covered with soil, grass and vegetation, meaning the owners don’t have to worry about traditional roofing materials, gutters or siding.

There is, however, one unusual maintenance task: the roof has to be mowed.

The home’s listing agent said the sellers have maintained the property themselves for decades, treating the grass-covered roof much like another section of lawn.

Surprisingly Traditional Inside

Despite its unusual exterior, the approximately 2,100-square-foot interior looks much more like a conventional home.

The property has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with a living room, dining area and kitchen.

Windows on two sides of the house and several skylights provide plenty of natural light. One bedroom, however, has no windows.

The home is surrounded by trees, making it difficult to see from the outside. The design gives residents considerable privacy while still providing views of the surrounding landscape.

Eight Acres Along the River

The property offers considerably more than the unusual house itself.

The approximately eight-acre parcel includes around 250 feet of waterfront along the Huron River. A gazebo, patio, workshop and a separate log cabin are also located on the property.

The location provides access to the river and is roughly a 30-minute boat ride from Lake Erie and open water.

Difficult to Put a Price On

The property’s uniqueness has created an unusual challenge for its listing agent.

There are few comparable earth-sheltered homes in northern Ohio, making it difficult to determine exactly how much the property should be worth.

The sellers have lived in the home since building it more than four decades ago and have carefully maintained it throughout that time.

Now that they are getting older, however, keeping up with the large property has become increasingly difficult.

A Rare Lifestyle

The house may appeal to buyers looking for privacy, nature and something far removed from a conventional suburban home.

Its underground construction also eliminates several expenses associated with ordinary houses, including traditional roof, gutter and siding replacements.

But the property comes with its own distinctive lifestyle — including the unusual responsibility of climbing onto the roof to cut the grass.

For $850,000, the next owner won’t just be buying a house. They’ll be buying an unusual piece of Ohio real estate that has spent nearly 50 years hiding in plain sight.