A holiday opportunity on 34th Street

A four-bedroom Hampden rowhouse in need of some TLC is in the middle of all the lights

People annually pack the 700 block of 34th Street in Hampden during the holidays to gaze at the brilliant and fanciful decorations put up by residents. The annual event is referred to as the “Miracle on 34th Street.” ( Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun 2014 )

The living room of the house, which was built in 1880, features a mantel that may be original. (?)

The 1,480-square-foot house at 712 W. 34th St. has 11/2 bathrooms. It is currently in foreclosure. (? )

Just in time for the holidays, a rowhouse in a prime location in Hampden is on the market for $161,200.

This four-bedroom, 11/2 -bath house on West 34th Street is in foreclosure and needs a lot of TLC, but it could be yours — especially if you love to deck the halls and the windows and the yard.

“This is the perfect house if you love the holidays,” said Ronald Howard, the listing agent for RE/Max Preferred.

This block is famous among Baltimoreans as the street that goes all out with decorations for Christmas, with thousands of lights and displays that attract people from all over. The light spectacular started Saturday night and runs through the holiday season.

Built in 1880, the house is deeper and wider than most rowhouses in the area. Measuring 115 feet deep and 13 feet, 11 inches wide, the house contains 1,480 square feet of living space. The main floor has a living room with a fireplace (and perhaps an original mantel), a kitchen with an exposed brick wall and a powder room.

The second floor has two bedrooms and a full bath, and the third level has two more bedrooms.

“It's a good size for a Hampden rowhome — and the bedrooms are larger because of the width,” Howard said.

Howard pointed out that this house qualifies for the FHA 203K loan that helps owner-occupants buy and renovate a property.

“It's a FHA loan and includes funds for the purchase and renovation,” he said. “It's a government-insured loan, which is a great way to buy a foreclosure.”

The property is within walking distance of the neighborhood's many restaurants and shops.

“It's got good bones,” Howard said. “It's a great house for someone who wants to live in Hampden.”