{"id":41007,"date":"2021-06-17T15:04:24","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T07:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/?p=41007"},"modified":"2022-06-13T17:27:21","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T09:27:21","slug":"how-to-sell-house-nightmares-true-story-property-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/how-to-sell-house-nightmares-true-story-property-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"How to sell a house of nightmares: true story from a property agent"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A majestic, two-storey, 5 bed\/4 bath\/3 car garage home in the quiet town of Colorado Springs, USA was put up for sale\/rent online not more than two days ago. From the street, it looks like an idyllic suburban, picket-fence home for a family – until the property agent shared photos of its nightmarish interior. [cue horror music]<\/em><\/p>\n

The agent, Mimi Foster Feith (Falcon Property Company) posted the ad<\/a> on Redfin, a US property listing site, on 16 June 2021. The ad lists the 3,598-square-foot home at a price of US590,000, or US164 per square foot. The monthly rent is US2,284 (if anyone’s interested). She’s even planned scheduled tours daily in person or Video Chat.<\/p>\n

According to her description, the “home was once the seller’s pride and joy. Now it’s every landlord’s nightmare and needs someone with firm resolve to appreciate its potential.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image source: Redfin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She further explains: “This house is not for the faint of heart<\/strong> but for that special person who can see through the rough diamond to the polished gem inside. As you enter, there are soaring ceilings and an open floor plan with a second-floor overlook. You will also notice there is not one surface of the home that has not been enhanced with black spray paint or a swinging hammer – damage done by an angry departing tenant who didn\u2019t want to pay rent.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apparently, the owner of the house went out-of-town for many years, leaving behind a property manager to manage the tenancy for the house. Unbeknownst to the owner, things got way out of hand between the manager and the last tenant, resulting in the tenant failing to pay rent and getting evicted.<\/p>\n

The disgruntled tenant then defied a court order by returning to the house to do significant damage to the property (more on this later). During her tour, Mimi shared that while a lot of damage to the house was made when the tenant went back to the house, there were several ‘questionable conditions’ which require investigation – like the menagerie of animals the tenant allegedly kept and the complaints from the neighbours.<\/p>\n

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Image source: Redfin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still, despite having to put a ‘house of nightmares’ on the market, Mimi seems undaunted, or at least her description shows it. We are impressed by how transparent and un-subtle her pitch is. Upfront and precise. Take it or leave it. Call me only if you’ve got the ball<\/del>see the potential for this house. That’s definitely one way to not only get attention but cut to the chase.<\/p>\n

Anyway, to really set the stage, she explained how a ‘potential house tour in person’ might feel:<\/p>\n

“…don\u2019t let that slow you down. It\u2019s not nearly as daunting as the freezer in the basement that\u2019s full of meat and hasn\u2019t had electricity to it for over a year<\/strong>. So be sure to wear your mask. Not for anyone else\u2019s protection but your own.”<\/p>\n

She completes her written pitch by explaining what to expect upstairs and underground [cue further horror music]:<\/p>\n

“The upstairs has a catwalk, large master with soaking tub and dual sinks, plus two additional bedrooms and bath \u2013 all covered in black spray paint, vulgarities, and other substances which are no longer identifiable<\/strong>. The basement is amazing \u2013 or at least it will be once all the debris is cleared out, the floor coverings are replaced, and the obscenities are painted over. The home has AC and a radon mitigation system and sits on a large lot. Oh, and did I mention it\u2019s in the pink of a geological landslide area<\/strong>? Come feast your senses. DO NOT GO ON BACK DECK. DO NOT OPEN FREEZER IN BASEMENT.”<\/p>\n

In case you’re wondering, pink on a geological landslide area means the location has a higher incidence or susceptibility of being caught in a landslide (eg. there are hills nearby), which kind of makes it worse, but good to know right?<\/p>\n

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Image source: Redfin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, did we mention she even posted a video tour? NOTE:<\/strong> Before you press play – there are several disturbing scenes (and expletives written in spray paint on walls, carpet and floor) – viewer discretion is advised.<\/p>\n