$40 and a dream can nab a house

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | Friday, April 8, 2005 | Eric Heyl

[Willie Green]

You won't see Coldwell Banker attempt a stunt like this.

To buy one spacious house in Garfield, you needn't sweat silly stuff like actually making an offer or getting a mortgage. All that's necessary to become owner of this place is a modest $40 investment and a modicum of creativity.

In the four years since leaving Pittsburgh, Huberta Jackson-Lowman and her husband, William Lowman, have been unable to unload the Black Street property where they once lived.

So they plan to award it to the winner of an essay contest.

[Willie Green]

ping

[Lazamataz]

In the four years since leaving Pittsburgh, Huberta Jackson-Lowman and her husband, William Lowman

Let me guess.

He's a salesman.

[xsmommy]

i believe this, my dad owned property in Braddock. he could not give it away.

[VRWCisme]

The real test is whether they have a son named Happy.

[Maceman]

After looking at the pictures and reading about the neighborhood, I believe I'll pass.

[WV Mountain Mama]

I'll take the dinner at Ruth's Chris.

[DainBramage]

You just know hes always lowman on the totem pole.

[Gefreiter]

"...for less than the cost of a Ruth's Chris steak dinner. There are worse ways to spend $40."

Yeeeeeaaaahhh, but if I buy a steak dinner I get a steak dinner. In this instance, I just give this guy $40 and hope he picks me.

Then I get the crack-house motif, the $30k in damages, and a property I won't be able to sell later, either.

[martin_fierro]

Meanwhile, in the SF Bay Area...

Sunnyvale, CA  94085
$808,000
2 Bed, 2.5 Bath
803 Sq. Ft.
Estimated payment: $3,625 Per Month

Property Features   
	

    * Single Family Property
    * County: Santa Clara
    * Detached
    * Single story
    * Age: 84 year(s) old
    * 2 bedroom(s)
    * 2.5 bath(s)
    * Approximately 803 sq. ft.
    * Cooktop range
    * 2 car garage
    * Fenced

[xsmommy]

nice dollhouse. a bit pricey though.

[OldEagle]

"He's a salesman."

Beat me on that one.

[dfwgator]

He's a salesman.

I thought he died.

[hubbubhubbub]

that place in allegheny county new york would be $38000

[Ron in Acreage]

Where are all the code violation stickers? The place doesn't look fit to live in.

[rintense]

For that price, I can buy a 3000 sq ft home on Lake Michigan where I live!

[snarks_when_bored]

Insane.

[Hatteras]

Maybe they can get Norm and the This Old House crew to come out and do a series?

Norm says, "uh, we're a little tied up right now, but here's a number where you can reach Bob Vila..."

[agrace]

From the article, lol -

Pictures available on the contest Web site, www.winapghhouse.com, give the impression the architect who designed the place was attempting to merge disparate Victorian and crack house motifs.

Large windows in the front and the rear of the house are boarded up, and Jackson-Lowman acknowledged vandals have ravaged the interior. "They took a lot of the fixtures, the oak fireplaces, the stained glass window. The house probably needs between $15,000 and $30,000 in repairs."

I'm sure it could be beautiful, if someone had the time, money and inclination to live in what appears to be a less-than-stellar neighborhood. From the link -

[Always Right]

$40 might buy you two-hours in an California shack.