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Neighborhood PhotoWhy Buy a House When You Can Buy an Entire Town?

 

Breaking News - The unflappable Daphne Fletcher has successfully sold her prized possession, the small town of Wauconda, Okanogan County, Washington. 

In a follow-up to a post that I wrote previously, the tiny town, complete with its own gas pump, restaurant, a convenience story and its own zip code has sold for the bargain price of $360,000. 

The small hamlet was originally purchased by Ms. Fletcher in 2007 for $180,810.  In its entirety, it is 4 acres wide and 12 miles away from the nearest town with any actual city streets. 

It took a few weeks of being for sale on eBay but the winning bidders were a couple from Bothell, Washington.  This could only happen after the first buyer backed out of the sale (familiar story?) 

It was not a case of having had a bad home inspection.  How do you inspect an entire town? It was a combination of difficultly with financing and, perhaps a bit of buyer's remorse. 

But the people who have bought the town have a definite case of love.  They are Maddie and Neal Love who put their payment down and have bought themselves a town. 

The unemployed couple has sold everything they own to proceed with their dream purchase and they expect to close in six weeks.

I hope they are not daunted with the overwhelming task of how to decorate an entire town.  I know I would be. 

Chaulk this one up to true love.

 

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Copyright 2010 "Why Buy a House When You Can Buy an Entire Town?" 

 Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230

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16 Comments on Why Buy a House When You Can Buy an Entire Town?

APR
23
2010
128,117 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I had read about this in our local paper as well... it cracked me up. How surreal to think one could buy a town. I remember when the govt. was selling all the lighthouses to the highest bidder. One poor soul sold all his belongings, bought a lighthouse, moved in, and realized there was a huge LOUD alarm that went off every so often as part of the warning system. For me, I would love to own an Island- even if it was so small one could walk around it in under 5 minutes. That is the definition of cool! (or HOT!)
6:28pm • #1
176,702 Points 1 Featured Post

What cracks me up is that the town was sold on eBay!! I have bought a lot of hard-to-find items on eBay over the years, but I would never in a million years have looked to buy a whole town!

And I agree with Ellie - I'd love a private island somewhere... As long as I could still get pizza delivered. ;-)
6:42pm • #2
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Ellie:

I agree with you - an island is much more appealing than a lighthhouse.  Different strokes...

Mike:

You have never searched for a town on eBay? I didn't even know there was such a category. 

Absolutely - pizza delivery is a must.

 
6:47pm • #3
406,050 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh this is so cool.  I laughed at Mike's comment, I've had clients make "pizza delivery" a criteria in finding a new home.  The only part of the article that I found curious was this statement. "Busch is preferred, with 12-packs stacked beside the register".  I lived in Seattle for 4 years.  Nobody calls them 12 packs, it's either a "half rack" or a "short case".  But then again, the times they are a changin'.
7:10pm • #4
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Cynthia:

Having pizza delivery and fast food handy is a prerequisite for some home buyers. Living out in the middle of nowhere can be quite inconvenient.

 
7:17pm • #5

Do they get to change the name? :-)

That is a really neat story. I vote for the island, too. But it would be nice to be Mayor McQueen!
7:39pm • #6
524,107 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Claudette, I don't remember this story, but I have heard of entire towns for sale before.  Actually it does sound like a very interesting endeavor...lots of possibilities.  I've always liked the "island" idea and yes pizza is a must.
7:52pm • #7
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Pamela:

That's a great question. I guess if you own a town you should be able to name it whatever you want. You would just have to file it at the town hall.  Oh, that's right - there is no town hall.

Hi, Nick:

I think many people are intriqued with the idea of owning an island.  Not me - I can't swim...

 
9:28pm • #8
402,845 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Thats only a few bucks more then I spent on my house 4 years ago.  What a deal!
10:59pm • #9
865,593 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

I recall a few years ago, most of Braselton, GA was up for sale.  I think Julia Roberts was involved... it was a lot more expensive. 
11:14pm • #10
APR
24
2010
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Larry:

When you consider the cost of housing in many places, $360,000 is a pretty good deal to buy an entire town.
6:39am • #11
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Lane:

Braselton was an interesting situation. It was actually bought by Kim Basinger and the Ameritech Pension Fund for $20 million.  She wanted to make a tourist attraction out of it, but ended up selling her portion of it when she ran into financial problems.  Oh, to have those kinds of financial problems...
6:46am • #12
769,069 Points 60 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I wonder if they plan on renaming the town "Loveville" or something like that!
10:53am • #13
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Craig:

That sounds a perfect name for their new town. I hope they don't forget to name one of the streets "Lover's Lane."

 
2:03pm • #14
APR
25
2010
1,141,468 Points 76 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Claudette:  Glad to hear there was a happy ending to this story.  I wonder what they will do with it.  What do you do with an entire town?
1:11pm • #15
395,027 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Chris Ann:

I am not sure what they will do with it, but they certainly wanted it to have sold all of their possessions just to make the purchase.

I think I would name it "Milletteville" and make it a law that everyone has to be nice to each other.  That would be a start.

 
1:38pm • #16

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Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker

Ashland, MA

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The Buyers' Counsel

Address: 27 Thomas Street, Ashland, MA, 01721

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