How to Sell the Worst Home in the Best Neighborhood Through Reverse Psychology

A real estate company in California is just so honest about the house it's offering by showing all the negative images of the property.

"Ugly home!" said Coldwell Banker, about a $475,000, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Northridge, Los Angeles, which is even described as the "worst home in the best neighborhood."

Almost all of the photos shown of the property are dilapidated and even resembles the post-apocalyptic film "Escape from L.A.," complete with exposed pipes, stained walls and moldy floors.

"This home needs a complete rehab," reveals the write-up of the listing, which also adds that it's a cash-only sale. "The pictures say everything, except for the fact that this home is located at the back of a cul de sac in a wonderful, well-maintained neighborhood," the description further states.

Despite the unappealing appearance of the house, it has been viewed 123,900 times since it was posted almost two weeks ago.

There's no way to dress up this dilapidated house in Northridge, it is a total wreck, and anybody who comes to see it knows the fact. The listing agent also knows about it, which is why the first line of the listing simply says, "Ugly house!" The first photo of the house is obscured by dead leaves, overgrown grasses, and a driveway that looks to be dirt.

The house is dubbed a "Contractor's Special," and the interiors of the house suggest it to become a potential candidate for an intense rehabilitation or a total demolition.

This house is not all bad news, though. It is located at the end of a cul de sac, and the listing refers to the place as "a well-maintained neighborhood." In case you still don't get the meaning, the listing explains: "This is truly the worst home in the best neighborhood." The location is the thing that propels the house to have an asking price of $475,000 - and for cash only.

Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics