RobFMDetroit
Freshman Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2013
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Michigan
NOTE: As much as this will create speculation about the person I'm referring to, I'm not going to say, so don't ask. I'm really looking for advice from anyone who has dealt with this issue before, because it's a new one for me.
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I inspected a home earlier today for a divorce case. Based on comps I've already looked at, it's in the 1.5 to 2 million range, in suburban Detroit.
I won't say where and I won't say whom, but during the course of the inspection, the owner dropped a bit of a bomb -- the house next door is home to one of Detroit's most universally-beloved figures. I checked the public records, and she wasn't kidding; it's really his house. For 6-7 months out of the year, anyway (there's your hint).
I've done appraisals all over Detroit, and there's some moderately famous people all over the place. I once did a home that backed to a somewhat-famous local talk show host, I've appraised homes that (still) belonged to Motown singers, etc. But this is a new one for me. I'm not exaggerating when I say this person is quite possibly the most-loved man in Detroit.
Here's the thing: This is not a gated community, or even big lots, really. In fact, it's actually a pretty old neighborhood that has recently seen a lot of redevelopment, but the lots are basically pretty average (100 x 150, give or take). No gates, no winding streets, no hills, nothing like that (I actually stood in his driveway and took pictures of my subject). Granted, it could rightly be described as one of the "snobby" suburbs, but still... hardly exclusive. (By contrast, I've heard stories of Eminem's "compound", where if you get too close to the fence line, his security people will come after you... that's not a joke.) No, this is like... I was standing 10 feet from his car parked in his driveway.
My questions:
1. Do I disclose this information?
2. Would a real estate agent be able to resist telling people who lives next door? (Keep in mind, that's hypothetical. The subject is not currently for sale, but may end up being sold as part of the divorce settlement.)
3. Wouldn't people pay extra to say "I live right next door to ___ ____. We had him over for a barbecue." (Or something to that effect.)
4. Has anyone encountered this problem in the past? Again, I must stress that these aren't big, private, walled-off properties where you have to be buzzed in. This is a normal neighborhood on a normal grid, and there just happens to be a superstar living next door.
Help. Please.
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I inspected a home earlier today for a divorce case. Based on comps I've already looked at, it's in the 1.5 to 2 million range, in suburban Detroit.
I won't say where and I won't say whom, but during the course of the inspection, the owner dropped a bit of a bomb -- the house next door is home to one of Detroit's most universally-beloved figures. I checked the public records, and she wasn't kidding; it's really his house. For 6-7 months out of the year, anyway (there's your hint).
I've done appraisals all over Detroit, and there's some moderately famous people all over the place. I once did a home that backed to a somewhat-famous local talk show host, I've appraised homes that (still) belonged to Motown singers, etc. But this is a new one for me. I'm not exaggerating when I say this person is quite possibly the most-loved man in Detroit.
Here's the thing: This is not a gated community, or even big lots, really. In fact, it's actually a pretty old neighborhood that has recently seen a lot of redevelopment, but the lots are basically pretty average (100 x 150, give or take). No gates, no winding streets, no hills, nothing like that (I actually stood in his driveway and took pictures of my subject). Granted, it could rightly be described as one of the "snobby" suburbs, but still... hardly exclusive. (By contrast, I've heard stories of Eminem's "compound", where if you get too close to the fence line, his security people will come after you... that's not a joke.) No, this is like... I was standing 10 feet from his car parked in his driveway.
My questions:
1. Do I disclose this information?
2. Would a real estate agent be able to resist telling people who lives next door? (Keep in mind, that's hypothetical. The subject is not currently for sale, but may end up being sold as part of the divorce settlement.)
3. Wouldn't people pay extra to say "I live right next door to ___ ____. We had him over for a barbecue." (Or something to that effect.)
4. Has anyone encountered this problem in the past? Again, I must stress that these aren't big, private, walled-off properties where you have to be buzzed in. This is a normal neighborhood on a normal grid, and there just happens to be a superstar living next door.
Help. Please.
