Well you never know what can be found- I recently watched a Mason and Hamlin Mdl A parlor grand listed for $4k. It didn't sell and the owner had to move out and ended up giving it away.
Although many people are happy to give away a piano to anyone who will move it out of their house, Its not likely going to be a Kawai or Yamaha in decent condition. And you would be very lucky to find one anywhere near your $500 budget.
As someone mentioned, I too like the Baldwin Hamiltonsin your price range. But I'm sure there are many other lesser known freebies out there but do yourself a favor and be choosy.

I didn't realize tuning a piano was such a pain until I read through this thread. I figured it was basically like a big guitar.

I have a 125 year old Kranich & Bach I planned to tune. Maybe I'll rethink that. Or, tune everything I plan to recorded with it, to it.

I’m no expert but tune an octave to pitch and then use that to tune the other octaves. Pick the strings if an upright with a guitar pick. You should get it in an ok ballpark if you have a good ear. Hire a pro if you’re fussy....

Like I said I got a Kimball from a mover and it was a great piano. I loved it but no room for it here so found it a good home....

Are you kidding? Piano tuning is very complicated. In the past, apprentices would spend many months before they even picked up a tuning hammer. These days there are some apps to assist a novice but I wouldn't expect great results right for quite a while.

Sure I agree if you’re tuning a piano to concert pitch. Absolutely an art and to be respected. Keep in mind the budget a good tuner and mover, not much left.... there’s no mystery to tuning strings in unison and if you have a good ear you can get a piano to sound good. I tuned mine to a pitch pipe I wouldn’t touch my friends concert Steinway lol...

I really just want a budget not-broken, ok-tuned Coldplay sounding upright piano...........? haha... I will look into it!

Hello!
I have just visited and checked one 'Kraufmann' piano?
It seems to have 133cm x 98cm x 49cm dimension and
I think (?) it should be categorized as 'compact' piano?

The condition was fairly good! and I really liked the size since my room is not too big.
Um, just wondering though, lower few notes prolonged(?) sustained just a little bit longer than upper keys and... can this be fixed by professional tuning specialist??

Also... wow... oh boy, I underestimated by its compact dimensions...
it cannnot be lifted by 2 men... it was fairly heavy!

Other than that, lids were all easily open-able and I would really enjoy having fun with it! likely recording through it...!

Hard to diagnose without seeing it but...Sounds like a damper issue. If you have it professionally tuned there might be no charge for the adjustment. If those few dampers need replacing then there would be a charge but it shouldn't be a major expense.

Thanks! late reply, I thoroughly watched and studied a bit on youtube videos, on what to check and got a upright piano in a fairly good condition, now in my living room! Sounded pretty good Now just need to be tuned if I want to! But another great tool for songwriting. Thanks for your reply

Also watching a few videos made me to realize how complicated its mechanism is built within! I was really surprised But yeah anyways, mine sounds pretty ok fortunately!

A friend of my parents bought an old piano at an auction & when they got it home ,they found a large stash of old banknotes hidden in it!

They were an outdated denomination unfortunately.

This is in line with my idea, which is to find a local piano tuner... My local tuner that works on my two pianos always has a line on good sounding pianos that have been well maintained. He has a garage filled with the ones that clients have given to him that were in too good of shape to pass up.

The tuners know where the good ones are and can likely help you find a good deal on one.