One of the things we like to do is to keep up with the real-estate trades in the neighborhood. It gives us the opportunity to meet other neighbors and check out a house we hadn't seen before. Presently, we have two bank-owned properties for sale in the neighborhood. We were very lucky -- in the last bank-sale -- to pick up a pair of great, new neighbors, Laura and Chris. We're certainly hoping for the best with these most recent for-sales.
At any rate, for some reason, the house on Phoenix @ Mendocino was open yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) and we stopped by for a look-see. It might set a new low for fixer-uppers in the area. While I'm sure in the history of bank-owned homes, there have been worse, generally the bank puts a bit of effort into selling the home: new carpet, interior paint, etc... nothing like that here and the pictures (albeit cell-phone photos) show the lack of attention to detail in this one. Some things we noted:
The bad:
- Some unfortunate graffiti (see above)
- Seemingly non-working radiant heat due to the hard-installed baseboard heaters in the rooms
- A completely enclosed atrium with 12X12 Saltillo tile
- Drywalled and textured ceilings in most of the house
- Crown moulding along many of the beams (unfinished detailing)
- Unfinished rooms: trims, doors, etc.
- Some new, paneled, hollow-core, Masonite doors (with brass-esque hinges and handles)... the cheapest kind
- Enlarged kitchen... which might seem nice, but they walled off the dining room passage and replaced the window with an odd size
- Green pool
- No screen doors
- Stained, emerald-green and tan carpet throughout
- Lack of attention to detail: note the towel bar in the bath... doesn't fit? Just cut away from the door casing
- Dented, paneled roll-up garage door
- No fridge
- Tiled countertops (not solid, smooth surface)
- Seemingly rickety treehouse (that extends over the street/sidewalk).
- Seemingly undersized lot -- very narrow bedroom-side side yard... maybe 4 feet
- Dirty, dirty, dirty... I literally went home and took a shower (but we were going out to dinner with friends anyway, so...)
The good:
- Semi-finished kitchen that might appeal to some
- The $339K price tag
- Some great neighbors on the back
- Newer, stainless kitchen appliances
- Potentially upgraded electrical (200A... likely for the new kitchen stuff)
- Free deer!
The neighborhood had joked about buying this and turning it into a clubhouse... It might be more of a project then even those with the purest of hearts could tackle. Hoping for the best here, but it might be too far gone...
I joked with Ryan about how I hoped you wouldn't check out the open house. I thought it might give you a heart attack. I was so shocked to see its condition. More shocking, the listing agent told me (this was two weekends ago) that he'd received seven offers. Since it's still being shown, I feel like he may have been lying.
Posted by: Erin | August 05, 2009 at 10:17 PM
he might've received 7 offers for $150K... i'm amazed that the bak/agents are showing it in this condition... bring in a paint and carpet crew, at least. the agent didn't seem like the most personable fella...
Posted by: red | August 05, 2009 at 10:59 PM
We meant to get over to see that open house. I am glad we didn't waste our time. Hideous!! That deer looks frightened. I don't know who started that rumor, but I do not do what the graffiti states... no matter how much chablis I've had...
Posted by: Jeff | August 19, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Welcome Me!
My name is Blaine Siler; I am the new owner of this “shocking” and “hideous!!” house at 4095 Phoenix. After 1st reading this post and comments, I have to admit I was feeling a teeny bit defensive. You see, I feel very passionate about my house because I know the potential here is certainly not “too far gone”. -I look at it in the same way parents gaze at their ugly children; -with absolute love and dedication.
Now I just consider this article and its comments as a neatly chronicled “Before” keepsake for my scrapbook to help me remember where we came from.
My partner Tom and I are doing what we can afford to keep up with the "bads" list and I hope sooner rather than later, we will have a more pleasingly restored house to meet the high high expectations of my critical and catty neighbors -(just teasin ;)
Truth be told, everyone I've met so far have been my very idea of dreamy neighbors, and hope to get to know you all more over time.
P.S. We kinda thought the graffiti sentiment was a selling point.
Posted by: Blaine | December 07, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Welcome Tom and Blaine...
We admire your passion and the ability to see past the surface. It is a must on these home. Many have had quite the makeover in their days, some worse than others. It will be fun to look back someday and see the "before" photos. Enjoy your home.
We welcome you to the neighborhood and hope to meet you sometime soon.
Sorry to come off so critical.
Posted by: live2ridetahoe | June 02, 2010 at 09:38 PM
Blaine, We viewed this house today, and then stumbled across the "before". All I can say is "wow!" You guys have done an *amazing* job; it is an exquisite transformation.
Posted by: Scott Allison | May 10, 2015 at 06:55 PM