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I Toured a Unique Geodesic Dome Home Today

By
Real Estate Agent with Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group 9084437/Brokers

Today I met a nice woman that has been trying to sell her home.  This home is very unique, it is in the shape of a geodesic dome.  It's been for sale for a year now with different Realtors and she's really looking for a way to sell it.  Now we know this is a tough market as it is, but how would you market this type of property?  What kinds of things can you do to get that unique type of buyer to this property.  Due to already high marketing times and prices coming down, we can expect to take some time trying to sell this home, but because of it's uniqueness, it will take even more to find that special buyer.  Any suggestions?  What kinds of people build and buy these homes?  For the most part the home is in good condition, just needs some cleaning and de-cluttering. 

What's the most unique and wacky way you could think of to advertise and sell this home?

Show All Comments
Randall Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

I would figure out a way to appraise this house.  If you don't have comps (other geodesic home near by that recently sold) you won't get anyone to finance it.  You may need to target a cash buyer.

Jul 07, 2008 04:37 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate

Hey, James and Kathleen. First thing I would try to do is figure our is how "green" this home is. I feel that it could be a huge energy saver, maybe currently or with a little modification. I always thought that the domes were intended to be earth friendly. Next, I would focus on the cleaning and sprucing up of the home. I wish you all the best, Jim

Jul 07, 2008 04:47 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

I'd do the "green check-up" thing, too.    Your photo makes it seem very private?   A bit in the "wilderness"?

Maybe promote that "away from it all" feeling, plus stress that "small is beautiful" angle.    A header might read:  "only unique people wanted here!"

Li

Jul 07, 2008 04:54 AM
Gary McNinch
Better Properties Real Estate - Renton, WA
Broker, Renton WA Real Estate

Hi James and Kathleen,

I had a purchaser for a very similar home (mid 1980's dome) last year and we got it done.  It took 3 exceptions on the loan, due to the problem finding comps.  Listing agent, two appraisers, 3 lenders and I all worked hard and brainstormed how to get this done.   For comps, we had to stretch the distance way out.   Green would be a target, lot and area would be great, and I would work hard on the "architectural unique" theme just as was done in the late 70's and early 80's when most of the dome homes were built. And of course it has to be staged and perfect.

List and Sell (even dome homes too)   Gary @ RentonHomeFinder

 

Jul 07, 2008 05:28 AM
Anonymous
Norm

I want to see more pictures...inside and out...close-ups, etc.  More info on location, etc.

Norm

Jul 30, 2008 02:44 AM
#5
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

Hi Norm,

If you could email me your email address I can send you the full details and photos for that home.  It currently is not listed, but they do want to put it back on the market soon.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Aug 01, 2008 02:26 AM
Anonymous
Kristen

Not sure where you are located, but as a person wanting to buy a dome or other out of the ordinary home they are difficult to find online. Perhaps they do not exist in the Chicagoland area, however, it requires a lot of effort to find domes, etc. or the terms that agents use are not the terms I am searching under. 

Aug 13, 2008 05:36 PM
#7
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

Hi Kristen,

We are located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  This home is not my listing, but an expired listing that I had toured about a month back.  What kind of places are you looking to find these types of homes and what interests you about them? 

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Aug 16, 2008 04:10 AM
Anonymous
Marcus

My wife and I have lived in a dome home since 1991, which was built in 1983.  EVERYONE who comes into our home is astounded by its features and architecture.  The 24-foot high open interior living room with three large skylights and floor-to-celiing windows makes it seem like you are living outdoors, and it's always bright.  But it looks squatty from the outside and realtors tell me they have trouble getting people to even come inside. 

By all means, stress the energy efficiency.  Our 2500+ sq foot home is all electric, with a heat pump, and costs about $1400 a year total for electricity. 

We will be retiring soon and would live in another dome without question.  But in today's market, it would be a real challenge for us to sell this one, not only for getting comparables and buyers, but in getting those %$^%#%^# financial institutions to give a mortgage on what one lender told me was an unusual construction and they would therefore have trouble selling the mortgage.  I cursed him.  

 

 

Sep 30, 2008 01:01 PM
#9
Anonymous
Paul

You may want to post information on this site. Look for the bulletin board section.

http://bbs.monolithic.com/

Oct 22, 2008 01:03 PM
#10
Anonymous
Paul

BTW.. What price range is the owner asking? Oh, the main site for the forum I listed above is:

http://static.monolithic.com

 

Oct 22, 2008 01:15 PM
#11
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

This isn't my listing, it was an expired listing in the area when I toured it.  The owner had it listed for around $259,000. 

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Oct 27, 2008 02:37 AM
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