Home crushed by tree in Monrovia hits market for half a million dollars

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Monday, September 9, 2024
Monrovia home crushed by tree hits market for half a million dollars
Half a house for half a million dollars? What's left of the property - with missing walls, hanging wires and no ceilings - is for sale at $499,999. The listing agent quipped that it's an "open-concept floor plan."

MONROVIA, Calif. -- Newly listed for sale in Southern California's notoriously pricey realty market: half a house for half a million dollars.

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow in suburban Monrovia, northeast of Los Angeles, was crushed by a tree in May with two renters and two dogs inside. There were no injuries, but a fence and most of the roof were mangled.

Now what's left of the property - with missing walls, hanging wires and no ceilings - is for sale at $499,999.

Listing agent Kevin Wheeler quipped to the Los Angeles Times that it's an "open-concept floor plan."

The listed size of 645 square feet (60 square meters) is based on measurements taken before the tree fell. Wheeler said the electricity is turned off, but the plumbing still works.

Monrovia regulations state that demolitions on properties more than 50 years old, which the house is, require a review. But since it was destroyed by what's known as an act of God, a review isn't required, according to Wheeler. So house-hunters can buy what's left of the home and fix it up without dealing with some of the red tape typically required during rebuilds.

"There's been a lot of interest so far because demand is so high and inventory, especially at this price, is so low," Wheeler told the Times.

RELATED: Giant tree topples over onto home in Monrovia

Extensive damage was left behind in a Monrovia neighborhood after a massive tree fell on top of a home.