The community on Mariner Drive can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After years of legal battles, a long-awaited open house was recently held for a notorious hoarder home in Ocean View Hills, California, giving hope to neighbors who have been dealing with the property and its former owner for more than a decade.

"The sun is shining today,” Ronnie Taylor, a neighbor, shared with CBS 8. “I cannot believe it."

The four-bedroom home is apparently in such rough shape that it’s being sold “as is,” which means the buyers will be responsible for cleaning it up, as well as any potential renovations. Photos of the house’s interior show an unsanitary environment soiled with garbage and animal waste. In fact, city crews had previously reported sightings of rats and other pests inside the home.

Because of the state of the property, safety protocols were put in place for the open house. Masks and hand sanitizer were offered to guests, and anyone stepping inside was asked to sign a form acknowledging that they were doing so at their own risk.

Despite the state of the property, the realtor — who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons — has reportedly received more than 100 inquiries within a week of the home hitting the market. And while there’s plenty of interest in this house, Taylor has issued a warning to potential buyers.

"My only concern is for the new family," said Taylor. "You’re going to have this creepy person either parking in front of your house, looking over your back fence until finally she goes away."

Neighbors felt ‘terrorized’ by hoarder

Taylor, who has lived nearby for years, notes that many homes in the neighborhood have recently sold for around $1 million, making this property’s $599,999 asking price relatively low.

And that’s what makes distressed property purchases so intriguing. Distressed real estate refers to property that can be purchased at a big discount because there’s something “wrong” with it. It could be the sellers facing a dire situation, such as a foreclosure, or a judge allowing a court-appointed receiver to put the house on the market, as is the case with this home on Mariner Drive.

This hoarder home has sparked strong interest from potential homebuyers, but most of the interest seems to be coming from investors. And while the house itself could be a good financial opportunity, the property’s history remains complicated.

Former owner, Lisa Golden, was arrested for trespassing just a day before the open house and was reportedly spotted later that day driving past the home. Shortly after that, Golden was seen filming people from the sidewalk across the street from the open house.

"I believe she’s kind of mentally attached to that place," Taylor explained, acknowledging that even with new ownership, the home’s challenges might continue. "She’s terrorized me to the point I had to get a restraining order."

Despite these challenges, the realtor remains optimistic. "We’re hopeful it will go into escrow pretty quickly," she said, though she did not confirm whether any formal offers had been made.

There’s no doubt that a house listed at a sizable discount compared to other neighboring properties is going to attract plenty of interest, but there are some considerable risks involved with buying a distressed property.

What to know before buying distressed properties

For potential buyers, purchasing a distressed property like the one on Mariner Drive requires careful consideration of the pros and cons.

The pros

The cons

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when buying a distressed property. While the lower purchase price and potential for value adds can be substantial, the tricky part is figuring out whether the pros will outweigh the risks involved with such a purchase.

Distressed homes can often be purchased at a discount, but buyers should make sure to factor in renovation costs, potential delays and other hidden expenses when figuring out whether the investment makes sense for them.

Investors who are planning to flip the house or lease it out to renters may be willing to take on more risk than buyers who plan to renovate and move in. But either way, buyers should hire a professional to conduct a detailed inspection in order to understand the full scope of the work required.

Buyers should also be aware of any ongoing legal battles related to the property. In this case, Golden’s history of legal disputes could add to the complexity of the purchase. Buyers considering this house on Mariner Drive would be wise to consult a lawyer to make sure there are no legal issues that could pop up after the sale is finalized.

While the Ocean View Hills hoarder home may be a great opportunity for the right buyer, it’s important to carefully evaluate the financial risks involved with such a purchase. With proper due diligence and a clear plan, buying a distressed property can turn into a rewarding project, but it’s not without its risks.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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