Cali House Shut Down By Cops Lists For $1.5 Million
A normal-looking house in San Jose, California has been gaining attention in the real estate market for an unconventional reason - it was allegedly used as a meth lab. The house, located in a safe neighborhood and within walking distance to a major mall, recently went on the market for $1.55 million. However, potential buyers should be aware that there is a catch - the house still contains the inactive meth lab.
The listing, held by Keller Williams Realty, states that the house is considered contaminated and contains a lab that was allegedly used to make methamphetamine. The previous owner, 36-year-old Peter Karasev, was arrested in March on various charges related to the alleged meth lab. According to the Santa Clara County district attorney's office, during a search of Karasev's house, detectives found a glass tube of meth and a meth lab in the garage. Karasev told a detective that he resorted to using meth due to an Adderall shortage.
The six-bedroom, four-bathroom, 2,743-square-foot house is surrounded by a metal fence and is boarded up, as it is currently unsafe to enter. Signs warning of hazardous substances and toxic chemicals are attached to the fence, according to local news station KRON4. The listing does not include any photos of the interior of the house.
The house will be turned over to the buyer in its current state, as the County of Santa Clara's Department of Environmental Health states that contaminated properties can legally be sold in California, but cannot be entered until properly cleaned. A spokesman for the department stated that homeowners must hire a certified hygienist and contractor to clean properties contaminated by meth.
Real estate consultant John Pagliassotti estimates that it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take months to properly decontaminate the house. He also warns of potential hidden costs, such as meth residue in the air conditioning and heating systems, inside the walls, and on the lawn.
Keller Williams Realty listed the house for sale in mid-October and has stated that the property's previous sale price in March was $1.51 million. However, Pagliassotti believes that the cleaning costs and safety risks associated with the house will likely lower its market value.
The listing has garnered mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a potential opportunity for a bargain, while others see the risks and costs as a major deterrent. Zaid Hanna, owner of a San Jose real estate agency, stated that he would advise any potential buyers to look for a different opportunity.
It is unknown if anyone will take the risk to purchase the house in its current state. However, the fact that it is priced similarly to other properties in the area's expensive housing market may entice adventurous buyers. The Department of Environmental Health states that anyone who enters the unsafe house can be fined up to $5,000.
For now, the San Jose house with a dark history remains on the market, waiting for someone willing to take on the challenge of decontaminating it. It is a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking behind seemingly ordinary houses and the importance of thorough inspections before purchasing a property.