Buy/Sell

Visit your favorite on-line auction site to find Lustron ephemera. Courtesy the Zeiger Collection.

Prior to the development of the Internet, buying or selling a Lustron; parts for your Lustron; or Lustron ephemera could be a daunting prospect.

However with the advent of on-line auction houses, powerful search engines and list-serves and newsgroups all of this is a bit easier. In this section, you will find some hints and tips for buying and selling.

A few things to keep in mind when selling or buying Lustrons or parts….

If you are selling a Lustron, try to find a buyer that is interested in preserving the Lustron. Because of their small size and unique character, many Lustrons are candidates for teardowns. Some Lustron owners are surprised to learn that the new owner intends to demolish their beloved Lustron. If you are concerned about the fate of your Lustron, talk with prospective buyers about their intentions. Things like local landmark designation or a historic preservation easement can help ensure that your Lustron is preserved for future generations.

If you are buying parts for a Lustron, take care. Architectural salvage is a controversial issue. Because only a finite number of Lustrons were manufactured, and no spare parts were manufactured, finding replacement parts for your Lustron means that those parts must come from another Lustron. Lustron parts come from two sources, homes that are being demolished, or from owners that are altering (replacing windows or pocket doors) their Lustrons. On one hand, you don’t want to encourage the demolition or alteration of existing Lustrons for parts, on the other, if that Lustron is going to be demolished or altered and the owner can’t be persuaded otherwise, salvage of parts is important. Visit our Advocacy section for more information on how to protect an endangered Lustron.

And as always, take care when shopping on-line. Visit, the Better Business Bureau to find some great tips on how to shop online safely. And be sure to read our disclaimer below.

If you click on some of the links below, you will be leaving the National Trust’s Lustron Preservation Web site and entering an external link. The links provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and is being provided consistent with the intended purpose of Lustron Preservation Web site. However, the National Trust cannot attest to the accuracy or veracity of information provided by these links or any other linked site. Providing links does not constitute an endorsement by the National Trust of the site or the information, recommendations for treatment, products, methods, and materials discussed on these site. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on these sites may not be available at the external link (to view our Privacy Policy click here). To view our full Disclaimer, click here.

If you have a Lustron/parts to sell…

• Create a Listing in the Lustron Scrapbook
• Consider listing it on your favorite on-line auction site.
• Visit the Rumpus Room where you will find a link to Lustron Homes, the Lustron Yahoo Group, send a message to Lustron Homes with information on the Lustron you are selling.
• Post it on Craig’s List.
• Contact the Recent Past Preservation Network, ask them to send a message out to their list-serve.
• If you are working with a realtor, educate your realtor about the unique qualities of your Lustron home.
• If you are selling your Lustron and it has a high-degree of integrity, contact your statewide or local preservation organization. Some statewide and local preservation organizations maintain lists of properties for sale or maintain a list-serve. Ask what they can do to help get the word out.
• Assemble the documentation on the Lustron that you have (Erection Manual, brochures, photos and other documents) and make it available to prospective buyers.

If you are looking to buy a Lustron…

• If you know the Lustron that you want to buy, check the records at your assessors’ office to see if you can determine the value of the home, make an offer directly to the owner.
• Visit the Rumpus Room where you will find a link to Lustron Homes. Send a message to Lustron Homes expressing your interest in acquiring a Lustron, search previous postings for Lustrons for sale
• Review the Lustron Locator to find Lustrons. If an address is listed, send a letter to owners, expressing your interest in purchasing a Lustron.
• Use your favorite search engine with keywords like “Lustron sale”
• Search your favorite on-line auction sites, Craig’s List and other similar sites.

If you are looking for Lustron parts…

• Sign up for alerts from your favorite on-line auction search using the keyword “Lustron.” When Lustron items become available, you will get a message in your e-mail inbox.
• Visit the Rumpus Room where you will find a link to sign-up for Lustron Homes, monitor posts for Lustrons that are being demolished or salvaged.
• Send a message to Lustron Homes with information on the parts that you are looking for.
• Search on Craig’s-list.