California Home Million Dollar Mystery : A California house with a $1.55 million price tag offers numerous advantages, including proximity to a major mall, family-friendly space, and a safe neighborhood. However, a significant drawback may deter potential buyers: the previous owner allegedly used the home’s garage as a methamphetamine lab as recently as March.
The listing by Keller Williams Realty notes that the property remains contaminated, and the inactive lab is still present. Santa Clara County’s health department has declared the house off-limits until it undergoes decontamination. The property will be handed over to the buyer in its current state, according to Keller Williams Realty.
Zaid Hanna, the owner of a San Jose real estate agency, mentioned that the house’s pricing aligns with the expensive housing market in the area. Still, he suggested that it would be a “home run” if the property sells for its listed price, adding that he would advise a buyer to consider other opportunities.
The six-bedroom, four-bathroom, 2,743 square foot house is now boarded up and enclosed by a metal fence. Signs warning of hazardous substances and toxic chemicals on the property are attached to the fence, and the listing lacks interior photos.
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Real estate consultant John Pagliassotti noted that meth residue could still be present in the home’s HVAC system, within the walls, or on the lawn. He estimated that the cleaning process could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take months, emphasizing that moving in without thorough decontamination is not feasible.
The previous owner, 36-year-old Peter Karasev, was arrested in March on multiple charges related to the alleged meth lab. Detectives found a meth lab and meth in the garage during a search, as well as a glass tube containing meth inside the house. Karasev claimed he used meth as a replacement for Adderall due to an Adderall shortage.
Keller Williams Realty listed the house for sale in mid-October, and the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health stated that contaminated properties can be legally sold in California after proper remediation. Buyers, however, must purchase the property without touring it, and the cleaning costs and safety risks are likely to affect its market value.
In summary, this California house’s contaminated history presents significant challenges and uncertainties for potential buyers, making it a unique and complex real estate proposition.