Step into a piece of Chico's vibrant history at 256 E. 1st Avenue, an iconic Victorian residence perched on a prominent corner lot of E. 1st Ave and Oleander, just one block from the Esplanade and minutes from Downtown Chico, Chico State, and Enloe Medical Center. Built in 1949, this distinguished 3-story, 8-bedroom, 4-bathroom home spans 2,993 sq. ft. and was once featured as the Decorator's Dream House in 1982. Each room was transformed by local designers with flair and creativity, a legacy the current owners have preserved and thoughtfully updated with curated touches from Chico artisans, blending historic charm with modern living. As you arrive, the welcoming covered front porch and classic double-entry doors offer just a hint of the character inside. Inside, you're greeted by a breathtaking grand staircase, 10.5-foot ceilings, transom windows, handcrafted wainscoting, and wood flooring throughout. The heart of the home, a large light-filled entry, is a true showstopper and sets the tone for the rest of the tour. The main floor hosts one of two private suites, complete with a full bathroom, kitchenette, and cozy living space. Upstairs, you'll find five additional bedrooms and two full bathrooms at the end of the hall. The top floor features a penthouse suite, an incredible private retreat with its own bathroom, living room, and kitchenette. One of the original bedrooms has been converted into a spacious laundry and lounge area for added comfort. The home also includes a large unfinished basement, offering ample storage or the potential for creative future use. Outside, the fenced backyard and side yard offer quiet retreat spaces, perfect for entertaining under the shaded pergola or relaxing around the fire pit. A gated off-street parking area easily fits three cars, with additional RV/Boat parking for added convenience. With strong income potential (the home is currently being used as an Airbnb), the benefit of the Mills Act tax reduction, and a location steeped in Chico's history, this rare Victorian gem is perfect for investors, multigenerational living, or those dreaming of a legacy home near the heart of it all. Opportunities to own a property list iconic and versatile don't come around often. Come experience the character, charm, and possibilities of 256 E. 1st Ave for yourself. Your next chapter starts here!
Sold for $603,000
Listed by: eXp Realty of California, Inc. • Brent Silberbauer • Contact: 888-584-9427
Bought with: EXP Realty of Northern California, Inc.
$603,000
256 E 1st Ave, Chico, CA 95926
8beds
2,994sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1949
8,276 Square Feet Lot
$597,100 Zestimate®
$201/sqft
$4,320 Estimated rent
Home value
$597,100
$531,000 - $675,000
$4,320/mo
Zestimate® history
Owner options
List your home for rent
$4,320/mo
Rent Zestimate®
Find your next renter with Zillow Rental Manager. Plus, with online applications, you can quickly screen prospective tenants – for free.
$4,320/mo
Rent Zestimate®
Refinance and save
$3,806/mo
Est. payment
Refinancing to a lower rate could help reduce your monthly payments and save thousands over the life of the loan.
$3,806/mo
Est. payment
Explore your selling options
Work with a Zillow partner agent
Leverage their expertise and Zillow's premium Showcase listings to get your home seen by more buyers.
Get startedList with your own agent
Get your home in front of millions of buyers by listing it on Zillow.
Learn how to do itSell it yourself
Take full control of how buyers see your home on Zillow by listing For Sale by Owner (FSBO).
List your homeWhat's special
Penthouse suiteCovered front porchPrivate suitesCorner lotGrand staircaseProminent corner lotHandcrafted wainscoting
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Brent Silberbauer DRE #02019819 5308642404,
eXp Realty of California, Inc.
Bought with:
Monet Templeton, DRE #01700573
EXP Realty of Northern California, Inc.
Source: CRMLS,MLS#: SN25122758
Originating MLS: California Regional MLS
Originating MLS: California Regional MLSFacts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 8
- Bathrooms: 4
- Full bathrooms: 4
- Main level bathrooms: 2
- Main level bedrooms: 6
Rooms
- Room types: Bedroom, Basement, Entry/Foyer, Family Room, Foyer, Kitchen, Living Room, Pantry, Dining Room
Bedroom
- Features: Bedroom on Main Level
Bathroom
- Features: Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Linen Closet, Separate Shower, Tub Shower, Walk-In Shower
Kitchen
- Features: Laminate Counters, Pots & Pan Drawers, Tile Counters, Walk-In Pantry
Pantry
- Features: Walk-In Pantry
Heating
- Central, Forced Air, Fireplace(s)
Cooling
- Central Air, Wall/Window Unit(s)
Appliances
- Included: Dishwasher, Free-Standing Range, Disposal, Gas Oven, Gas Range, Microwave, Refrigerator, Range Hood, Vented Exhaust Fan, Water Heater, Washer
- Laundry: Electric Dryer Hookup, Gas Dryer Hookup, Inside, Laundry Room, Stacked, Upper Level
Features
- Built-in Features, Chair Rail, Ceiling Fan(s), Separate/Formal Dining Room, Eat-in Kitchen, High Ceilings, Pantry, Paneling/Wainscoting, Bedroom on Main Level, Entrance Foyer, Walk-In Pantry
- Flooring: Tile, Wood
- Doors: French Doors
- Windows: Garden Window(s)
- Basement: Unfinished,Utility
- Has fireplace: Yes
- Fireplace features: Family Room, Wood Burning
- Common walls with other units/homes: No Common Walls
Interior area
- Total interior livable area: 2,994 sqft
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 3
- Parking features: Driveway Level, Driveway, Gravel, Gated, On Site, Oversized, RV Access/Parking, One Space
- Uncovered spaces: 3
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: None
Features
- Levels: Three Or More
- Stories: 3
- Entry location: 1
- Patio & porch: Brick, Covered, Front Porch, Open, Patio, Wood, Wrap Around
- Exterior features: Lighting
- Pool features: None
- Spa features: None
- Fencing: Chain Link,Partial,Wood
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Neighborhood
Lot
- Size: 8,276 Square Feet
- Features: Back Yard, Corner Lot, Drip Irrigation/Bubblers, Front Yard, Sprinklers In Rear, Sprinklers In Front, Lawn, Landscaped, Level, Near Public Transit, Rectangular Lot, Sprinklers Timer, Sprinkler System, Street Level, Trees, Yard
Details
- Additional structures: Gazebo
- Parcel number: 003102015000
- Zoning: RP
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Victorian
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Wood Siding
- Foundation: Concrete Perimeter
- Roof: Composition
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1949
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: 220 Volts in Laundry
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Public
- Utilities for property: Electricity Connected, Natural Gas Connected, Sewer Connected, Water Connected
Community & HOA
Community
- Features: Curbs, Gutter(s), Storm Drain(s), Street Lights, Sidewalks
- Security: Carbon Monoxide Detector(s), Smoke Detector(s)
Location
- Region: Chico
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $201/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $385,000
- Annual tax amount: $4,455
- Date on market: 6/3/2025
- Cumulative days on market: 282 days
- Listing terms: Cash,Cash to New Loan
- Inclusions: Refrigerator(s), Range/Stove, Microwave
- Road surface type: Paved
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4/30/2026 | Sold | $603,000-7.1%$201/sqft |
Source:  CRMLS #SN25122758 Report a problem | ||
| 3/13/2026 | Pending sale | $649,000$217/sqft |
Source: CRMLS #SN25122758 Report a problem | ||
| 12/1/2025 | Price change | $649,000-3.9%$217/sqft |
Source: CRMLS #SN25122758 Report a problem | ||
| 10/25/2025 | Price change | $675,000-1.5%$225/sqft |
Source: CRMLS #SN25122758 Report a problem | ||
| 8/5/2025 | Price change | $685,000-2.1%$229/sqft |
Source: CRMLS #SN25122758 Report a problem | ||
| 6/3/2025 | Listed for sale | $700,000+4.9%$234/sqft |
Source: CRMLS #SN25122758 Report a problem | ||
| 6/9/2021 | Sold | $667,000+27%$223/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 3/8/2019 | Sold | $525,000$175/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 2/8/2019 | Pending sale | $525,000$175/sqft |
Source: NextHome North Valley Realty #SN19003552 Report a problem | ||
| 1/10/2019 | Listed for sale | $525,000+46.2%$175/sqft |
Source: NextHome North Valley Realty #SN19003552 Report a problem | ||
| 5/2/2018 | Listing removed | $500-87.5% |
Source: NVPM Property Management Services, Inc. Report a problem | ||
| 4/14/2018 | Price change | $3,995-11.1%$1/sqft |
Source: NVPM Property Management Services, Inc. Report a problem | ||
| 3/24/2018 | Listed for rent | $4,495$2/sqft |
Source: NVPM Property Management Services, Inc. Report a problem | ||
| 10/14/2016 | Sold | $359,000-0.3%$120/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 8/24/2016 | Pending sale | $359,900$120/sqft |
Source: Coldwell Banker DuFour Realty #CH16168617 Report a problem | ||
| 8/19/2016 | Price change | $359,900-2.7%$120/sqft |
Source: Coldwell Banker DuFour Realty #CH16168617 Report a problem | ||
| 7/19/2016 | Price change | $369,900-26%$124/sqft |
Source: Simplistic Realty #PA16114219 Report a problem | ||
| 7/7/2016 | Price change | $499,900-10.6%$167/sqft |
Source: Simplistic Realty #PA16114219 Report a problem | ||
| 5/28/2016 | Listed for sale | $559,000-10.6%$187/sqft |
Source: Simplistic Realty #PA16114219 Report a problem | ||
| 5/16/2015 | Listing removed | $624,950$209/sqft |
Source: Keller Williams - Chico #CH14259153 Report a problem | ||
| 4/3/2015 | Price change | $624,950-3.9%$209/sqft |
Source: Keller Williams - Chico #CH14259153 Report a problem | ||
| 2/17/2015 | Listed for sale | $650,000+85.7%$217/sqft |
Source: Keller Williams Realty Chico Area #CH14259153 Report a problem | ||
| 8/17/2012 | Sold | $350,000$117/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,455 +22.3% | $385,000 +17% |
| 2024 | $3,642 -6.4% | $329,000 -5.7% |
| 2023 | $3,893 -25.3% | $349,000 -25.1% |
| 2022 | $5,213 +14.7% | $466,000 +14.8% |
| 2021 | $4,547 +1% | $406,000 |
| 2020 | $4,502 +14.1% | $406,000 +16.3% |
| 2019 | $3,945 +8.6% | $349,000 +6.4% |
| 2018 | $3,634 -6.3% | $328,000 -6.3% |
| 2017 | $3,880 +2.8% | $350,000 -2.4% |
| 2016 | $3,775 +24.4% | $358,613 +2% |
| 2015 | $3,034 | $351,589 +23.4% |
| 2014 | $3,034 | $285,000 +16.3% |
| 2013 | -- | $245,000 +56.1% |
| 2012 | -- | $157,000 +3.3% |
| 2011 | -- | $152,000 -55.3% |
| 2010 | -- | $340,000 -12.9% |
| 2009 | -- | $390,565 +2% |
| 2008 | -- | $382,908 +2% |
| 2007 | -- | $375,401 +2% |
| 2006 | -- | $368,041 +2% |
| 2005 | -- | $360,826 +35.5% |
| 2004 | -- | $266,324 +1.9% |
| 2003 | -- | $261,444 +2% |
| 2002 | -- | $256,319 +2% |
| 2001 | -- | $251,294 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Neighborhood: 95926
Nearby homes
- $333,8002 bd1 ba1.1k sqft262 E 1st Ave, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $630,2994 bd3 ba1.4k sqft1130 Oleander Ave #1-4, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $358,8003 bd2 ba1k sqft270 E 1st Ave, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $766,6006 bd4 ba550 sqft198 E 1st Ave, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $---- bd1 ba400 sqft198 E 1st Ave #2, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $--2 bd1 ba550 sqft198 E 1st Ave #3, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $470,8003 bd2 ba-- sqft198 E 1st Ave #1, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
- $---- bd-- ba-- sqft1044 Oleander Ave, Chico, CA 95926Off Market
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 6/10Citrus Avenue Elementary SchoolGrades: K-5Distance: 0.4 mi
- 7/10Chico Junior High SchoolGrades: 6-8Distance: 0.3 mi
- 7/10Chico High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 0.2 mi
Get pre-qualified for a loan
At Zillow Home Loans, we can pre-qualify you in as little as 5 minutes with no impact to your credit score.An equal housing lender. NMLS #10287.
- California
- Butte County
- Chico
- 95926
- 256 E 1st Ave
Nearby cities
Nearby neighborhoods
Nearby zip codes
Other Chico Topics
