Life as a House

1132 Starlite Place

Isn't she pretty?  She also possesses one of the best views in the Rogue valley.  She was lovingly built in 2008, and then put on the market in hopes that a family would fall in love with her and snap her up.

It never happened.

For well over three years, she's stood empty, slowly losing hope that anyone will finally find her attractive.  It's always been a mystery to me, since the construction is top-quality and all the interior holdings are top-of-the-line.  She has a dream kitchen, fully-finished basement, giant master suite complete with fireplace, huge walk-in closet, luxurious master bath, and a beautiful bonus room over the garage.

With all that....why has she never sold?

I walked around her today, and was dismayed at the completely unfinished, ugly back yard.  Here is what it looks like:

Sad, isn't it?  Even the view isn't worth this tiny triangle.  At the farthest point, it's about 20 feet from the house.  The closest point, maybe 13-15 feet.  TINY.  Plus, being totally unfinished makes it completely undesirable.

Another deterrent is the complete lack of a deck of any kind.  Given the location and spectacular view, there should be huge decks to enjoy it.  There isn't even a patio off the finished basement:

Bleak.  I can see a pergola over the bottom patio doors, and a sweeping deck for entertaining.  If the back yard weren't so tiny.

Researching the property's ownership history tells quite a tale.  It was purchased in 2005 as a bare lot, then the structure was completed towards the end of 2008.  It was placed on the market in 2009 at $849,000.  Unfortunately, this was the when the recession began its terrible upswing, so luxury homes sat on the market unpurchased.  Those that did sell were "total package" homes, meaning the new owners did not have to face challenges such as the unfinished back yard and lack of decking this home has.  In the next year and a half, the sale price dropped OVER $200,000 as the builder became desperate to unload the financial burden.  Sometime in 2011, the bank took over the home.  Given that information, I imagine the state of the back yard may be due to lack of funds to finish it.  Unfortunately, it caused a vicious cycle for the builder - he saw the house as complete, but the potential buyers saw it otherwise.  Perhaps if he had finished the back of the house, it would have sold while he still had possession.

There is some hope for the house.  The lot to the south is vacant:

If a potential buyer could combine the lots, they could have a stellar estate.  I personally would level the lower lot with the upper lot, put in a nice multi-level deck system, pool (vanishing edge!), and landscaping.  Add some nice privacy fencing, and turn the hum-drum backyard into a lush, outdoor oasis!

I really hope this beautiful house finally gets some owners that complete her and love her.  It's truly a shame that she's been empty so long.

Click the address under the first picture to go to the real estate page for more info and pictures, if you're so inclined.