Highlight the positive? Ugly homes lure curious buyers

The ugly home’s curb appeal may begin and end at the curb – but more and more listings are hoping the ugly ducklings might still attract homebuyers.

Realtor.com reports that a small but growing number of listings nationwide are advertising “ugly homes,” complete with descriptions of the home as “dirty” to the “worst in the neighborhood.”

“People love eye-catching headlines, and reverse psychology seems to work,” the website noted. “These types of descriptors pique interest, and people say, ‘How bad could it be?'”

One three-bedroom, two-bathroom home listed at $475,000 is being marketed as a “flipper’s fantasy”-but “cash only.” The listing includes photos showing an exterior covered in overgrown landscaping and a brown, dirty interior complete with wall cracks and missing flooring.

The listing reads: “This is truly the worst home in the best neighborhood.”
Realtor.com reported the home has been viewed 123,900 times since being posted two weeks ago.

Another three-bedroom home, is also trying to use the “worst home in the neighborhood” hook to lure a buyer. “We have the winner in the ugly-house contest with this. … It needs everything, starting with soap and water. … Because of its horrendous condition, you have the opportunity for the buy of a lifetime.”