The house at the right is in a neighborhood in Bethesda, right across the DC line in Maryland.  It's neighbors are pretty architecturally diverse, but typical of homes built between 1930 to 1955.  Some of them can be described on the MRIS profiles as "farm houses" and some are bungalows, a few cottages and, yes this place, which falls under "other".

It is the infamous "Mushroom House".  I've driven by it  lots of times showing other houses in the neighborhood, and my buyers have not generally thought of as a selling point.   

And I have to wonder, what were the owners thinking when they remodeled and reinvented what probably started out as a mid-century colonial?  

I've seen my share of odd houses.  Some are what we call "buyer specific", appealing to a few people, but the few who do like it really like it a lot.  But if the mushroom house ever came onto the market, who on earth would the target market be?  How do you find the probable purchaser for this place?

 
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23 Comments on Architectural Statements

APR
24
2008
605,930 Points 111 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
That's my kind of house! With a fairy sitting on top :)
9:16pm • #1
358,062 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
That's interesting.  Why don't you give us more photos of it? 
9:19pm • #2
117,482 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

You're right.  What were the thinking?!?

I ran across and honest to goodness Geodesic Dome in Takoma Park once. The owners had about 5000 sq ft of vacant lot (except for the trees and the 45 degree slope) they wanted me to sell.  That was the last time I tried to sell raw land. 

The Dome was pretty interesting.  They were living in it and everything.  Ya gotta love Takoma Park.

9:24pm • #3
596,797 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
It is unique... I can think of some pretty wild things to do with it in PhotoShop.  In the end, there might be some Hobbit fans that would like it. 
9:29pm • #4
153,677 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
oh my gawdy! I mean I do love Grimms fairy tales and all... I wonder what the inside looks like...?
9:29pm • #5
657,388 Points 104 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Patricia- That is scary! Who in their right mind would think of building this house? 
9:29pm • #6
3 Featured Posts

Pat;

The phrase, "You gotta kiss a lot of frogs..." comes to mind... Perhaps a toad would love to live under this "toad-stool" ... or mushroom?  I have no idea... just a thought!  Although I can see Sally's idea ... fairy, too.  

9:29pm • #7
Looks like a Hobbit House
9:33pm • #8
425,300 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I think it is probably Alice, you know Alice of Alice in Wonderland.  There's a weird house like that in Colorado.  As you are driving on I-70 out of Denver in to the mountains it is on the top of a mountain. 
9:41pm • #9
153,677 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
omg I KNOW that house, seen from the I-70... the round structure, extending out over the mountainside. For trivia sake, it was used in the movie 'SLEEPER'... the Woody Allen film from the 70's.
9:45pm • #10
107,033 Points 12 Featured Posts
Patricia - The house is named for the substance that the architect was ingesting during the design period.
11:15pm • #11
APR
25
2008
261,881 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Paint it blue and call in the smurfs - or maybe Lord of the rings
12:36am • #12
403,221 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Patricia:  Perhaps some children of the 1960's hippies might like that.  Also, I would think some artist types may go for it.  Just a very unique buyer for a very unique home.  It may take quite a while to sell, but for just the right squirrely buyer... it might be just perfect.
1:03am • #13
126,308 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Karen Anne -- Not this artist type..LOL

Maybe a buyer with a servere vision impairment would like it.  Or J.K. Rowling.

1:08am • #14

How do you find the probable purchaser for this place?

You put out an All Point Bulletin for those Keepler elves. That band of merry little flour monks bake a mean cookie.

Blogger To Be Named Later
7:41am • #15
703,267 Points 72 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sally, you are too goofy!

Barbara, I only took a couple - the neighbors were eying me suspiciously!

Ken, I'll be you know - what is that funny spacecraft looking structure along Rt 29 near Columbia? 

7:47am • #16
Patricia, now that is a odd house! Looking at that picture makes you feel like you have had to much wine!
8:06am • #17
223,580 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog
LOL  The first time I saw this house I almost ran off the road.  It is unique!  What they were thinking? NO CLUE. 
3:47pm • #18
13 Featured Posts
This home has to be in TP.  Tell me I'm wrong.  Tell me. 
10:00pm • #19
APR
26
2008
226,666 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Ok, that is very different. I don't think I would want to be marketing that one! That's called BWL...building while loopy!
1:43am • #20
130,211 Points Outside Blog
Pat - Put up ads in all the local Head Shops???????????? I am not sure who else would want it...............
11:41am • #21
130,211 Points Outside Blog
Pat - I can just see those little guys from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory marching out the front door of this place. They just need to paint it purple and it would be perfect!!!!! (OR NOT)
11:52am • #22
APR
28
2008
I lived in DC for a few years, but I don't recall seeing that one.  Thanks for the picture and the post!
10:08am • #23

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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

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Evers & Company Realtors

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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