Berkeley: Have My Historic Home – Half Price

Call it chutzpa or sheer desperation but the owners of a prominent house for sale in Berkeley have taken matters into their own hands after watching their home languish on the market for more than five months.

The home will be sold, no matter what, to “the highest and best bidder” on Sunday July 22. Bids are starting at $2,249,500 – less than half the original $5 million asking price.

683 Santa Barbara Road caused a flurry of excitement when it hit the market in February with what appears now to be its audacious price tag.

The historic John Hudson Thomas designed, 5,000 sq ft house had been extensively – and no doubt expensively – restored and expectations, certainly the realtors’ it seems, were high. (The last time the home sold, pre-restoration, was in 2005 for $1,225,000)

Viewings are being held on 21 and 22 July and more information can be found at the aptly named website bid4myestate.com where the owners explain that they have been guided in their endeavor by Bill Effros’ book, “How To Sell Your Home In 5 Days”.