Central L.A. homes with character for less than $1 million

The central region of Los Angeles has a diverse housing stock that includes some of the oldest and most individual homes in the county. Here’s a sampling of early 1900s homes for sale in central neighborhoods for under $1 million.

Built in 1920, the updated single-story home is on the market for the first time in 50 years. (Jeffrey Ong / PostRAIN)

HARVARD HEIGHTS: On the market for the first time in 50 years, this 1920s one-story home in Country Club Park is marked by a wide front porch with decorative brick screens.

Address: 1130 S. Gramercy Drive, Los Angeles, 90019

Listed for: $825,000 for three bedrooms and 1.75 bathrooms in 1,974 square feet (7,511-square-foot lot)

Features: Period details, remodeled kitchen, solar panels

About the area: In the 90019 ZIP Code, based on 18 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in July was $737,000, down 9.6% from a year earlier, according to CoreLogic.

The updated writer’s cottage behind tall privacy hedges previously sold for $307,000 in 2003. (Realtor.com)

LARCHMONT: Vaulted ceilings and skylights lend a spacious quality to this renovated 1920s writer’s cottage.

Address: 5130 Raleigh St., Los Angeles, 90004

Listed for: $699,000 for two bedrooms and one bathroom in 760 square feet (1,562-square-foot lot)

Features: Privacy hedges, marble countertops, wide-plank oak floors

About the area: In the 90004 ZIP Code, based on 13 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in July was $1.725 million, up 53.3% from a year earlier, according to CoreLogic.

Tall pillars flank the step-up entrance of this Greek Revival-style home in Koreatown. (Realtor.com)

KOREATOWN: Three years removed from a remodel, this 1919 Greek Revival-style bungalow has an open floor plan with wood floors, crown molding and recessed lighting.

Address: 152 N. Mariposa Ave., Los Angeles, 90004

Listed for: $750,000 for three bedrooms and two bathrooms in 1,582 square feet (6,103-square-foot lot)

Features: Updated kitchen, living room with fireplace, new electrical wiring and copper plumbing

About the area: In the 90004 ZIP Code, based on 13 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in July was $1.725 million, up 53.3% from a year earlier, according to CoreLogic.

The Spanish-style bungalow, built in 1919, mixes original details with contemporary updates. (Realtor.com)

HARVARD HEIGHTS: This 1919 Spanish bungalow centers on a sunlit living room with an original Batchelder tile fireplace.

Address: 1100 S. St. Andrews Place, Los Angeles, 90019

Listed for: $915,000 for four bedrooms and two bathrooms in 1,875 square feet (6,250-square-foot lot)

Features: New kitchen with herringbone backsplash, master suite with rain shower, detached two-car garage

About the area: In the 90019 ZIP Code, based on 18 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in July was $737,000, down 9.6% from a year earlier, according to CoreLogic.

Mature landscaping creates a natural canopy for Craftsman-style home. (Realtor.com)

EAST HOLLYWOOD: A pitched roof and beamed front porch are among the distinguishing features of this tree-topped Craftsman, built in 1912.

Address: 656 N. Serrano Ave., Los Angeles, 90004

Listed for: $659,000 for two bedrooms and two bathrooms in 1,289 square feet (5,527-square-foot lot)

Features: Open-plan living room with fireplace, eat-in kitchen, mature landscaping

About the area: In the 90004 ZIP Code, based on 13 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in July was $1.725 million, up 53.3% from a year earlier, according to CoreLogic.