A remarkable home in Huron, Ohio, has gone on the market for $850,000 with a design that makes it look as though the landscape has swallowed the house. Built into the side of a hill, the earth-sheltered property is about 90% underground, according to listing agent Laurie Brill. Its concrete roof is covered with dirt and vegetation, including ivy and myrtle, and the owners literally mow it when the greenery needs trimming. The sellers built the unusual house in 1977 and have lived there for decades. Despite its hidden exterior, the 2,100-square-foot home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, windows and skylights. The property also sits on nearly eight acres along the Huron River, giving the unusual home a striking combination of underground living and waterfront surroundings.
Inside the $850,000 underground Ohio home
The house is located at 10510 Mudbrook Road in Huron and is currently listed for $850,000. Property records and the current listing describe it as a 2,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family home built in 1977. The structure is made from concrete and has a concrete roof with skylights. Although the property is described as an earth-sheltered home, listing agent Laurie Brill told Realtor.com that about 90% of the house is underground. The sellers built it into the side of a hill and then covered the structure with dirt and vegetation. From outside, much of the house blends into its surroundings and is difficult to spot beneath the tree canopy.
How the Ohio home ended up underground
The unusual design was reportedly not part of the original plan. Brill said the owner initially purchased the land intending to build a conventional house. While walking across the property, however, he began considering whether the house could be built underneath a ridge on the land. He eventually spoke to a contractor capable of constructing a concrete house and decided to pursue the unusual idea. The result was the earth-sheltered property that has remained in the same owners’ hands for decades. Brill, who told Realtor.com she has spent about 40 years in real estate, said the property was unlike anything else she had encountered in northern Ohio. She also said there were no comparable local properties that made pricing the unusual house straightforward.
The grass-covered roof needs to be mowed
The roof is arguably the home’s biggest curiosity. Instead of conventional shingles, the structure is covered with dirt and vegetation. Brill said ivy and myrtle grow across the roof and that the sellers literally mow it. The arrangement has also eliminated several exterior features normally associated with a conventional house. According to Brill, there are no traditional roof shingles, gutters, siding or downspouts to replace. The current listing describes the roof as concrete with skylights, while Realtor.com reports that the vegetation-covered surface requires occasional trimming. The property listing also markets the earth-sheltered construction as offering privacy and storm resilience, although those descriptions are listing claims rather than independent assessments of the home’s performance.
The interior looks surprisingly normal
Despite the unusual construction, the inside of the house is far less dramatic than its exterior. Brill told Realtor.com that it feels like a conventional 2,100-square-foot ranch-style home once you walk through the entrance. The property has an open-concept kitchen and living area, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Windows on two sides and skylights provide natural light throughout much of the house. The third bedroom is the main exception because it does not have windows. The current listing also records a wood-burning fireplace, kitchen, dining room and living room. Realtor.com describes the interior as somewhat dated but in good condition, meaning a buyer would be purchasing a house with an unusual exterior but a relatively familiar living space.
The property has nearly eight acres of riverfront land
The underground house sits on 7.93 acres along the Huron River, with approximately 250 feet of water frontage. The property includes more than the main residence, with a gazebo, log cabin, pole shed and workshop among the additional structures. The listing highlights direct water access for activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing and boating. Realtor.com also reported that the property is about a 30-minute boat ride from Lake Erie and open water. The secluded surroundings add to the home’s unusual character. Much of the structure is concealed by trees, while the main living area still offers views towards the yard, gazebo and patio.
Why the property is listed for $850,000
The property was listed for $850,000 on August 4, 2026, according to current real estate records. The asking price was reportedly difficult to determine because the property has few obvious local comparisons. Realtor.com reported that Brill struggled to find comparable properties because there are no similar earth-sheltered homes in the immediate area. The current listing places the home at about $405 per square foot and describes it as a unique retreat on private riverfront acreage. The sellers have maintained the property themselves over the years, but Brill said that maintaining such a distinctive property has become harder for them as they have grown older.
