"A Really Junky House" in San Rafael
This San Rafael PoS (built in 1955) just came on the market. At 1512 sq ft. it's average sized by Marin standards. But just look at this thing. Gray, stained exterior paint that matches Marin's typically cloudy and rainy sky this time of year. Cracked and oil stained driveway. And then there is that added "touch of class" -- the lazily coiled garden hose lying on the ground. This thing has no curb appeal at all and screams "I'm too lazy to even paint the exterior or otherwise make this thing look presentable because I fully plan on screwing you, the buyer, for a windfall... ah, ha ha haaa". Also, it used to be a child-care center if you can believe that so you know it's been beat on. Even the realtor write-up admits that it needs "just a little more tlc". Even my young daughter when she first saw this picture said, and I quote, "that looks like a really junky house". So how much for this PoS? A ridiculous $725,000.
posted by Marinite at 1/15/2006 09:50:00 AM
9 Comments:
Houses like this one exhibit some of the steepest appreciation since '00, when comparable homes sold for under $300K. Can a valid explanation be given for this level of "return"? I wish my stock portfolios did this well.
The "value" is that nothing else is close to being affordable.
It would be really cool to somehow keep tabs the sales histories going forward on all the beauties that are featured on these pages so that the most marginal of Marin's RE transactions can be exposed over time.
Hopefully, that would most clearly show the downward trend that so many of us expect.
For example - in this market, to me, it is inconcievable that this POS would go for even half its asking price. I would love to see figures over time that either confirm or refute my biased and non-scientific assessment.
I should confess to all that I think Eichler houses are flawed by design -- designed to be butt ugly. I have resited posting Eichlers because I am so biased but I couldnt resist here.
one major Eichler design flaw being slab floors, which don't work well with Marin winters. These are sheds, not homes--and should be priced accordingly.
Even the $300K price is too much for this junk. I really need to get out of California. Even if prices drop 60%, the houses are still not worth it.
I grew up in a TL Eichler and my folks still live in one. Nice to be inside, not so nice when paying the PG&E bill.
The original poster is actually the uneducated one here....
Eichlers are midcentury modern, post & beam homes that ALL have a very passive and subdued facing. The color design scheme calls for earth tone, subdued colors. The back and sides of the homes are almost entirely made up of floor to ceiling glass (which is possible because no weight-bearing walls are required with this method of construction), effectively bringing the "outside in". These homes are actually very high demand houses ASSUMING they are 'intact' and someone hasn't tried to update them without an eye and undertanding of modern design (note: if you like crown molding and Laura Ashley/Martha Stewart design, these are not the homes for you).
Also, these homes are NOT supposed to be painted but instead stained since Eichler siding has distinct vertical lines that would be concealed after a few coats of paint.
While I agree that this house could utilize some work, you are making a mistake by judging these homes by their frontage.
As the previously poster mentioned, Google "Eichler" to see what I mean. To open your minds to Eichler, just take a look at this other Eichler that is also in Marin: http://www.residentphotography.com/oakmountain/index.html
what the f***????? Where I live there are only like 12 houses in the 500,000.00 and above price available? People who can afford these houses make way too much money. I work 50 hours a week and cant afford a 120,000.00 house.
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