On a quiet street in a Houston galaxy far, far away, exists a four-bedroom, five-bathroom house boasting over 7,000 square feet of living space.
But this is no mere hovel in the swamps of Dagobah or the tree tops of the forest moon of Endor.
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No, what was an homage to the Lockheed Nighthawk stealth fighter became one for the most notorious movie villains of all time — the incomparable Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise.
Dubbed the "Darth Vader house," the iconic property is getting a new owner after being listed at $3.35 million, according to the Houston Association of Realtors.
"Saw the house, loved it, thought it was cool," original owner Jason Junkin told KHOU 11 News.
But now, the Force is being transferred, so to speak, to another lucky fan. And buying a unique home can have its own Jedi Code repercussions.
It is your destiny
The famed Darth Vader house has a strikingly unique exterior. The front of the home resembles a helmet and gives off a stealth fighter vibe. Out back, there’s an in-ground pool and a private lot. Inside, the open-concept, window-filled home lets in plenty of light and features a double staircase, wet bar, and loft space.
Junkin, a home builder, bought the home three years ago and leased it for two of those years.
“It’s a cool feeling. When you’re a kid, you think about driving fancy cars,” he said. “I never thought that I would buy the Darth Vader house.”.
Realtor Hardy Pollard represents the buyer, sculptor Enrique Cabrera. Pollard told KHOU that Cabrera had to work to convince his wife to go through with the purchase.
Cabrera plans to rename the home the "Black Bull House" and install a 16-foot, $2.7 million bull sculpture out front. Pollard said the property is the perfect space for Cabrera to showcase his art.
Junkin says he’ll miss the house but feels ready to move on. "It’s mixed emotions," he said.
Meanwhile, fans of the Darth Vader house will get a chance to see inside. The brokerage firm said it planned a public event for — you guessed it — May the 4th.
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You don’t know the power of the Dark Side
Buying a home like the Darth Vader house might seem like a dream come true, but there are some potential pitfalls to keep in mind.
The upside, of course, is getting a unique home unlike any other — and there can be real value in that. You might be able to sell the property at a premium when you’re ready to move on.
But on the flip side, such a home might attract too much attention. Imagine trying to relax in your front yard while tourists and curious locals constantly stop by to snap photos. That’s more than just a nuisance — it can be a real invasion of privacy.
You might also run into challenges when it’s time to sell. Unique homes often appeal to a narrower pool of buyers, especially at higher price points.
As we just saw with the Darth Vader house, the buyer had to convince his wife to move forward with the purchase. If your financial circumstances or tastes change, you might struggle to sell or end up taking a loss. Any time your home has highly customized features, it risks alienating potential buyers. In some cases, those features could also drive up homeowners insurance premiums.
Do or do not. There is no try
Insurance companies consider many factors when setting rates, and one is the cost to rebuild. If your home includes offbeat or custom elements, they could be more expensive to replace, leading to higher premiums.
If the property is in a community governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA), you might also run into trouble getting approved for certain customizations.
HOA properties commonly have to meet specific standards. And securing a mortgage for a unique home can be tricky, too, due to challenges in getting an accurate appraisal.
If you’re considering buying a one-of-a-kind home, it’s important to do your homework. First, find out what it will cost to insure. Second, assess the maintenance needs — unique materials could mean more upkeep or higher utility bills.
Finally, pay close attention to the home’s appraised value. Sellers often try to command a premium for one-of-a-kind homes, but "unique" doesn’t always translate to "worth more."
You don’t want to overpay, because if you ever need to sell, your bank account could end up like Alderaan. It’s a good idea to get an independent appraisal in addition to the one provided by your mortgage lender — just to get a second opinion before hopping into your TIE starfighter and moving forward.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
