The overheated housing market is beginning to cool, giving anxious buyers a bit more breathing room before having to make one of the biggest commitments of a lifetime. Still, there are some unique abodes that fall under the category of, well, acquired tastes. From homes like a famous, just-listed property in Joshua Tree that you’d have to see (or not see) to believe — we’ve rounded up some of the strangest real-estate listings we could find online.
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The Invisible House
Joshua Tree, California
$18 million
As you walk up to these desert digs, a first glance might have you thinking you’re seeing a mirage. In reality, it’s just a mirrored exterior designed to tap into an “invisible” look. The iconic solar-powered sanctuary was built in 2019 and has been available to rent for $2,500 a night, attracting celebrity houseguests such as Demi Lovato and Diplo. Now, for a modest $18 million, the one-of-a-kind luxe home could be yours.
Related: Stunning Photos of Every National Park in America
Elevated 360-Degree Tulsa Views
Tulsa, Oklahoma
$250,000
“One-of-a-kind” is no exaggeration when it comes to this home. From the outside, the elevated, circular home looks almost like a silo with windows. But inside, there are two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a five-car attached garage. With astounding views of the Tulsa skyline, the property covers just about two acres of land. But one of its most compelling features is the elevator that takes you to the home’s top floor.
Related: The Oldest Building in Major Cities Across America
The Wild West Town
Saguache, Colorado
$4.7 million
Sure, this 320-acre property includes a three-bedroom, three-bathroom luxury home with a glass floor that sits atop an indoor stream. But hold onto your cowboy hat, because it also has a full reproduction of an old Western town, complete with a saloon and restaurant, general store, and chapel. Also on site are an operational hotel and dance hall, making the setting worthy of retreats, weddings and more. Finally, if you get bored owning a town, there’s a shooting range, a horse stable, and an outdoor stage for whatever performances you dream up.
Related: 20 Towns Where You Can Still Experience the Wild West
The Fire Sale Special
Melrose, Massachusetts
$416,100
Talk about curb appeal … or the lack thereof. It’s hard to believe someone would ask (much less pay) so much money for this burned-out three-bedroom house, but location is everything. This 1,857-square-foot house suffered fire damage to the exterior that necessitates gut renovation or a teardown, but apparently no one recognized what a “hot” deal this was since it’s currently off the market.
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.The Whimsical Tower House
Saugerties, New York
$759,200
Is it a tree house? A lighthouse? This three-bedroom tower with Catskills views defies description, which is fitting: It was designed and built by artist John Kahn, who collaborated with Jim Henson as he created the Muppets. The main home is decked out with a spiral staircase, parapets, and balconies, plus there’s a guesthouse, a warehouse, a sauna, and even a storage building reimagined as a rail car. The property also features plenty of sculptures and other pieces of Kahn’s handiwork.
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The Car House
Roanoke, Texas
$7.5 millionIf you’ve got a few million burning a hole in your pocket as well as a burning love of all things car-related, this home is for you. The 10-acre property includes “car lifts, a paint application booth, a tire changer, and antique memorabilia galore,” as well as a two-bedroom house that is also filled with automotive-themed details like a bathroom sink fashioned around a motorcycle apparatus. The property also has a tiered pool, outdoor kitchen area, a 10-car garage, separate “entertaining house,” and a glass repair center.
The Underground House
Las Vegas
$5.9 million
If you woke up thinking, “I’d like to live in Sin City but make sure I soak up as little of that desert sunshine as possible,” have we got the house for you. This five-bedroom, six-bathroom property has more than 2,300 square feet of underground living space featuring fake trees, murals, grass-like carpet, an indoor pool where you won’t ever get a tan, and many, many other strange details that leave you wondering what kind of a person would buy such a thing.
The Everything Is Special House
Belleair Beach, Florida
$3.4 millionInside and out, this waterfront property is a feast for the eyes. From the unique architecture, blue roof, three-story glass atrium, and tiled driveway outside to the interior’s circular doors, LED lighting, fabric ceilings, and myriad look-at-me light fixtures, no one would ever call this home bland. But if you tire of the over-the-top decor that seems to literally permeate every room, you can always just gaze out the windows at the calming Gulf views or relax in the pool or on the rooftop deck.
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The Oval Office House
Kirtland Hills, Ohio
$1.5 million
This 9,648-square-foot home will have you feeling presidential with its six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, elevator, in-home movie theater, and, oh yeah, the office that is a pretty spot-on replica of the White House’s oval office.
The Curvaceous House
Bryan, Texas
$3.9 million
Is it a giant greenhouse? Maybe it’s one of those corrugated steel pipes used for culverts? Nope. It’s an almost $4 million property that includes a main house with a wraparound swimming pool, a guest house, and a barn. The 62-acre ranch features a modern-meets-industrial interior with numerous unique light fixtures, red kitchen appliances, a giant glass walk-in shower, and more.
The ’90s Everything House
This house is “Miami Vice” meets “Clueless” with a dash of “A Night at the Roxbury.” Just scrolling through the pictures, we can hear Alicia Silverstone saying, “As if,” while Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell vigorously bob their heads to “What is Love?” This elaborate mansion exudes some serious ’90s vibes from the eclectic patterns to the not-so-flat-screen TVs on the walls. The floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a gaze out to the palm tree-shaded pool area only add to the ambiance.
The Medieval Mansion
Las Vegas, Nevada
$1.4 million
An iron gate opens up to reveal a castle-style home complete with shields on the wall, arched doorways, elaborate murals, and (naturally) full suits of armor. The only thing missing from the five bedroom, four bathroom castle is a mote … and a fire-breathing dragon.
The Nautical Bungalow
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
$850,000
With a nearly million-dollar price tag, you might picture an elaborate mansion or an expansive piece of land. This nautical-themed, tiny bungalow is a quaint 196 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom and sits on a quarter-acre lot. Since that lot is mere steps away from the beach, it apparently warrants an outsized asking price.
The Rock House
New Hope, Alabama
$1.1 million
You know the saying, “unless you’ve been living under a rock?” Well, for just over a million bucks, you can say you have, in fact, been living under a rock — and in style. This dome-style house is both fire and tornado proof, plus it’s nestled on 45 acres of forested land.
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Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
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