Whacked out photos

As we inch closer to Halloween, we'd like to share a couple "interesting" photos off the MLS with you. The photos are downright scary - at least as far as real estate listings go. Nobody's expecting Ansel Adams, but we do think it's realistic not to attach these kinds of photos to the listing...

From: 31578 CALLE LA PURISIMA #65, San Juan 92675. Great preview of some of the work I would have to do as a potential buyer.
From: 305 Via Presa, San Clemente 92672. So, we've established there is a window in the bathroom. Cool.
From: 136 Avenida Presidio #6, San Clemente 92672. Look, Ma! This photo tells us this place has doors and a closed closet door.
From: 14 Elk Grove, Laguna Niguel 92677. Nothing's wrong with this photo. We just think it's crazy what the stairs look like in this $6 million property.

Knock-down short sale in Dana Point

Behind this inviting green construction fence could be your "new" Dana Point (Capo Beach) home. There's even a chance it "could be historical."

26822 Vista Del Mar, 92624
Asking price: $499,000
Asking price/ sq ft: $654
Purchase price: $850,000
Purchase date: 10/4/05
Size: 2 beds, 1 bath, 763 sq ft (built in 1929)
MLS: S555277 (105 days on Redfin)
ZipRealty price tracker: Price Reduced: 01/22/09 -- $595,000 to $499,000
Zillow Zestimate: $621,500
Type: Single Family Residence
Style: Spanish
Stories: 1
Lot size: 8,308 Sq. Ft.
From listing: Spanish style, single level, fixer upper. Could be historical.



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Yep, only $654 per square foot for this fixer-upper property! Who would want to pay that amount for a house in terrible condition in Capo Beach?

Another version of the listing shows us an alternative strategy: Sell it as a teardown for a buyer looking to build their own custom estate. From the description:

Most desirable location in the Capistrano Beach Palisades. Expansive lot, south facing backyard, affords the opportunity to build a custom home. Close to Pines Park and beaches. Survey done, soil report, grading plan and demo permit. House design plans with approved ocean view roof top deck available in listing office.

What, you wouldn't want to get in right away so you can enjoy some amazing home-cooked meals in the current kitchen?

And don't tell us you aren't looking forward to spending lots of time in your new bathroom retreat:

This property is listed as a short sale, and Redfin says the last time it changed hands was in 2005 for $850,000. The house (or, more accurately, the lot with a house on it) was up for sale for $695,000 in September 2008, and then re-listed for $595,000 in November.

Assuming a sale for the current asking price, the loss would be $380,940, including 6% sales costs. It also would be a depreciation of 41%, not including sales costs.

Just one of many in LH

Here's your typical foreclosure property in Laguna Hills - 25726 Califia Drive. This 4-bedroom, 1.75-bath house previously sold for $575,000 in 2004. There obviously was a lot of debt on this property, as it went back to the bank for more than $660,000 in July 2008. Now, it's on the market for $430,000 - 25% below the '04 price.

Let's take a look at some of the pictures:

Welcome to your vintage bathroom...
Walls could use some touching up...
Here's our favorite: Proof your new home was recently cleaned! Why the heck would you a) take this picture, and b) post it with the listing? Awful photo indeed.

Drunken stupor in SJC?

A San Juan property on Laurelwood Lane is up for sale. See if you can figure out a) what the deal is with this photo, and b) why whomever was responsible for this could reasonably feel this image appropriately captures the property for sale:

Yes, this is the only photo posted with the listing. It's been 19 days since this property came on the market. The description isn't so good either - it's in title case and reads: "The Home has Black Galaxy Granite Counter Top in the kitchen. Black Galaxy Granite Floors in Kitchen, Dinning Room, Living Room and downstairs Bedroom. Pantry in Kitchen."

With a $320,000 asking price, the home is being offered at 51% ($329,000) off the peak bubble 2006 price, 37% ($190,000) below the 2004 price and 11% under the 2003 price ($39,500). Stumble over and make your offer today...

"Huh?" photos of the week

Here is some evidence as to why screen grabs, basic image editors and the MLS don't usually mix:


Yes this is an actual photo tied to an actual MLS listing. We have to admit it, though, the yellow arrow was kind of helpful in assisting us in identifying the physical location of property the listing goes with, 23741 Calle Ganador in Mission Viejo. Then again, we could have just as easily done the Google street view thing and seen the following. Wave hi to your new neighbor!


Listing description: BEAUTIFUL HOUSE ON A QUIET STREET IN A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD. Open Floor Plan. Big Yards. Upgraded Main Bathroom, Good Looking Ceramic Tile thru-out the house. Brick Fireplace in the Living Room. Vaulted Ceilings. Please look at the pictures. No Mello Roos & Low Assoc-$16

The asking price is $400,000. 4 beds, 2 baths, 1,550 sq ft. Just came on to the market a few days ago. Last sold in 2004 for $570,000, so we're looking at a minimum depreciation of about 30%, unless they get over their asking price.

OK, you say, maybe it was a fluke the screen grab appeared with the listing? Nope. This time, we get an alternative view of the property and a whole lot more of the person's desktop as well. Might be time to run that Windows desktop cleanup wizard. Just sayin'.

Guess what...we're not out of the woods yet. Here is another of the photos posted with the listing:

This one manages to violate two rules at once: It is blurry almost beyond recognition, and has the TV going with who knows what on.

"Huh?" photos of the week

This week's entry is from a San Juan condo listed for sale at $359,000, which is $200,000 off its 2005 peak price. Actually, this one isn't so much about head-scratching photos as it is a question of paint-color judgment. See for yourself:


Either the camera is shot, or there is some sort of discoloration in the kitchen, as you can see in the top-center of this photo:

Fear not...the color scheme even continues into the bedrooms:


There is nothing wrong with wanting to express yourself creatively. We're just not so sure your house's interior is the best place on which to unleash all the fury of your imagination.

"Huh?" photo of the week

First person to figure out what the deal is with this photo attached to a Lake Forest (Foothill Ranch) condo gets a big gold star and pat on the back. Did they have to make it the No. 1 photo that shows up in the MLS?

OK, so it's a work in progress, we get it. Here is the listing description for this 1-bed, 1-bath, 800 sq ft place: New tile floor, berber carpet, new paint, private end unit, city lights view!! Beautiful unit!! Amazing BUY!!! Couldn't they have waited until after these upgrades went in to take the photos?

This property has been on the market for more than three months at an asking price of $269,000. I'm sure you're as shocked as we are that it hasn't sold yet.

"Huh?" photo of the week

There is a limited amount of pictures that may be posted on the MLS along with any property listing. So, why wouldn't you want to put the following photo up with this Dana Point condo:
That's right: It's a picture of some dude who just landed a huge fish. Photo number 17 on Redfin. I'm sure he's got a great story to tell, but it doesn't exactly fit right in with the whole real estate theme the MLS usually holds to.

Oh, and this wasn't a totally isolated incident. Here's the photo preceding it:

Too bad considering the photo montage started out relatively well, with this professional-looking image:
Of course, there are no exterior photos of the property. In case you're keeping score at home, here is the count: 8 interior shots; 1 of the deck; 1 of a hill; 4 of the association/pool; 3 of the harbor/beach; 1 of a whale; 1 of a guy fishing; and 1 that's actually three photos in one of the harbor, some people whale watching and some more people kayaking.

On a similar but unrelated note, the property has been active on the market for 166 days without a sale.