Solar-Powered Charm: Meticulously Updated 1920s Corner-Lot Home for $199K

In the Syracuse real estate market, standard 1920s homes are often praised for their aesthetic character but questioned for their underlying mechanics and efficiency.

Every so often, however, a property hits the market that breaks the mold by combining vintage craftsmanship with modern energy independence.

Listed by: Howard Hanna Real Estate 315-622-2111, Elaine Sciortino 315-622-2111,
Donna Jordan 315-622-2111,Howard Hanna Real Estate

Situated on a highly visible corner lot in the 13208 zip code, 1116 Wadsworth Street has entered the market at $199,900. Boasting 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and an array of high-value infrastructural upgrades—including an integrated solar array—this 1,434-square-foot home represents an incredibly efficient approach to classic American foursquare/colonial living.

Property Overview: The Specifications

Showings are scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 25 at 1:00 PM. Ahead of the launch, here is how the physical and mechanical footprint shapes up:

Feature	Specification
List Price	$199,900 (~$139 / sq. ft.)
Architectural Style	1920s Traditional / Foursquare
Bedrooms / Baths	3 Bedrooms / 1 Full Bath, 2 Half/Additional Baths
Total Living Area	1,434 sq. ft. (Plus full basement and walk-up attic)
Lot Size	4,125 sq. ft. (Corner Lot)
Parking	Detached 2-car garage + double-wide paved driveway
Key Upgrades	Structural steel I-beams, newer roof with active solar panels

Structural Integrity Meets Timeless Character

While many homes from this era rely entirely on old-growth timber framing, 1116 Wadsworth stands out due to its heavy-duty construction. The foundation is reinforced with industrial steel I-beams, ensuring a level of structural stability and floor rigidity that is incredibly rare for a home built in 1920.

The Main Level: Flow & Natural Light

The interior layout balances formal room divisions with open, sun-filled living spaces:

The Foyer & Living Spaces: A welcoming formal foyer features original hardwood flooring that runs continuously throughout the home. To the right sits a spacious living room centered around a classic brick fireplace.

The Solarium: Branching directly off the living room is a brilliant, window-walled solarium. This space serves as a four-season retreat, drenching the main floor in natural light.

The Chef’s Kitchen: On the opposite side of the foyer, a formal dining room transitions into a deeply updated kitchen. Built specifically for high-volume meal prep and baking, the kitchen features solid-surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, a massive central peninsula, and two separate pantries for storage.

The Upper Levels: Private Quarters & Deep Storage

A turned staircase leads to the second floor, which holds three bedrooms—one equipped with a custom built-in Murphy bed—and a renovated full bathroom featuring a deep soaker tub. Storage, which is often a pain point in 1920s homes, is highly optimized here via an authentic cedar closet on the second floor and a clean, walk-up attic that provides high-and-dry storage space.

The Efficiency Angle: Modern Mechanical Upgrades

What truly separates this property from its local competitors is its operating efficiency. Traditional homes in Upstate New York are notorious for high winter heating and summer cooling bills. The current owners have systematically neutralized this issue with an extensive overhaul of the home’s mechanical systems:

Green Energy: A newer roof structure comes fully integrated with a modern solar panel system, drastically reducing the home’s net electricity costs.

Climate Control: The home has been outfitted with a new high-efficiency furnace and central air conditioning system, ensuring precise climate zoning year-round.

Electrical & Structural Safeguards: The primary electrical service panel has been completely updated to modern safety standards. Down in the full basement, older windows have been replaced with secure, thick glass block windows.

Outdoor Utility & Parking

The corner lot footprint is utilized effectively. At the rear, a large wood deck offers a private platform for outdoor dining and entertaining. Parking—frequently a challenge in dense Syracuse neighborhoods—is handled by a rare double-wide driveway leading to a detached 2-car garage, providing plenty of off-street space for multi-vehicle households or seasonal storage.