Just Needs Paint House: Update #1

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Just Needs Paint house original MLS listing photo

The original series of listings for the Just Needs Paint house were so entertaining they are too good not to share. Keep in mind this was a foreclosure. The bank was trying to sell this gem in a free falling market toward the end of 2008. For a screaming deal of $175K you could get it as is.*

Do you recall my assumption about the open garage door? Perhaps it was left open inadvertently for the listing photo because how would you secure a house without one? The first house listing listing lacked a garage door. There was also no front door. Squatters, birds and coyotes were all welcome.

“This is a beautiful custom home that is in construction phase. It’s on a corner lot within a private community with scenic views of the mountains. It lacks flooring, appliances and paint. Seller was unable to obtain final approval for completion ‘As Is’.”

The MLS price history shows our feature home reduced to $150K a few months later in January of 2009. When viewing the house as a potential residence, the Just Needs Paint house had already been pillaged for the copper plumbing and electrical wiring. The sellers could not find buyers of their offering in this sad condition. Then the sellers installed both a front and garage door. Now the building was secure and available for $25K less than before.

BUT, you had to give them back (see if you can find it):

“This is a beautiful custom home that is in construction phase. It’s on a corner lot within a private community with scenic views of the mountains. It lacks flooring, appliances and paint. Seller was unable to obtain final approval for completion ‘As Is’. Front door and Garage door does not convey.”

Five months passed and they attempted to entice a buyer with another reduction. At $124K there was no mention of giving back the front or garage doors. Still, the house sat on the market until this listing expired at the end of 2009:

“Contractor/Handayman special. This was to be a custom home but was unable to be finished. It is in a state of disrepair and is partially finished. Lender will entertain all offers.”**

Finally, in November of 2010 someone bought it to fix and flip. By that time, the neighborhood had already grown up around it. A family bought the finished home in 2011 and moved in to give it some much needed life and love.

The Just Needs Paint house is definitely a special house in the small neighborhood. It is distinctive due to the turret entrance. The new builder took over and chose not to incorporate the turret design into any other home floorplans of this subdivision.

*For less than $175K you could still find a fully functional, similar size home complete with running water, toilets, a finished roof, and electricity along with light fixtures. So I am putting a little dramatic sarcasm with this statement.

** Perhaps it was not bought because no one knew of a “handayman”?  😉