Half a House in California on Sale for Half a Million Dollars

Home shoppers can now purchase half a house in California for the price of half a million dollars.
A residence in the suburb of Monrovia, near Los Angeles, was recently listed for sale at $499,999, but it is only half of a house.
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow was partially destroyed by a fallen tree in May while two renters and their dogs were inside. No one was injured, but the roof and a fence were heavily damaged.
The bungalow’s listed size of 645 square feet (60 square meters) reflects measurements taken before the tree collapse. While the house is still damaged, the back door—which had been used by the renters to exit the property when the tree fell on it—is still intact.
Listing agent Kevin Wheeler told the Los Angeles Times that the electricity has been shut off, but the plumbing remains functional. He also described the home as an “open-concept floor plan.”
“There’s been a lot of interest so far because demand is so high and inventory, especially at this price, is so low,” Wheeler said to the Los Angeles Times.
KTLA, an affiliate station for The CW in Los Angeles, reported on the May incident that caused the damage to the house. The station said its news helicopter recorded footage that “showed the enormous pine atop nearly the entire property” on May 9.
One of the home’s renters told KTLA that when the tree crashed onto the residence, it sounded “like a bomb had exploded.”
Wheeler said that soon after the home was hit by the tree, several people sought to purchase the property from the homeowners.
“They were trying to buy it for $250,000 or $300,000,” he told the Times. “But market comparisons for similar properties in Monrovia put the value at $500,000.”
Monrovia regulations require a review for demolitions on properties over 50 years old, which applies to this house. However, Wheeler explained that since the destruction was caused by an act of God, a review is not necessary. Potential buyers can purchase what’s left of the home and renovate it without navigating the usual bureaucratic hurdles associated with rebuilds.
A listing on Zillow listing calls the home “a partial structure ready for new construction or rebuild” that is located on a “flat and abated lot.”
“A miracle on Mountain,” the Zillow listing reads. “Lots of meat left on the bone for investors. Already a great location and as Monrovia rezones, could this be next? Build your dream. It was always destiny.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.