UFO home sold at auction

The delightful "Space House" in Chattanooga, Tennessee sold at auction this weekend for just $135,000. The 38-year-old, three-bedroom home was expected to go for much more, according to the auctioneer. From The Associated Press:

The house has a retractable staircase that lowers to the ground. A neighbor says that feature came in handy for one former owner who was having an argument with her husband. She pulled up the stairway, drove her husband's truck underneath it so he couldn't get the stairs down and left him stuck inside.

Link to AP article, Link to more on saucer houses at Cabinet of Wonders

[#1 posted by Robert , March 17, 2008 3:41 PM]

The 38-year-old, three-bedroom home was expected to go for much more, according to the auctioneer.

Recession FTW!

[#2 posted by dragonfrog , March 17, 2008 3:45 PM]

She pulled up the stairway, drove her husband's truck underneath it so he couldn't get the stairs down and left him stuck inside.

People don't want to spend exorbitant amounts of money on a house that would be a death-trap in a fire? How odd!

[#3 posted by skadishell , March 17, 2008 3:52 PM]

UFO design is perfect for high water/flood zones but perhaps not for wind - could potentially become the real thing in hurricane force winds (or just disintigrate). Most definitely a conversation piece in the neighborhood.

[#4 posted by IWood , March 17, 2008 4:03 PM]

Damn! I wish I'd known that was on the market.

I need a place for my cult.

[#5 posted by Sam , March 17, 2008 4:10 PM]

Aww I missed it! Around here $135k would buy you a cardboard box under a bridge.

Although, now that I think about it I'd take the cardboard box over Tennessee.

[#6 posted by Skeeter Holler , March 17, 2008 4:13 PM]

So, the mortgage meltdown has hit the Visitors too. Xlandor will not be pleased.

[#7 posted by nanuq , March 17, 2008 5:44 PM]

"Most definitely a conversation piece in the neighborhood."

You mean conversations like, "When are they getting rid of that eyesore that's driving down the property values of all the other houses around here?"

[#8 posted by Antinous , March 17, 2008 5:54 PM]

I've never seen a really well executed spaceship house. Even John Lautner's chemosphere looks a bit naff with its wood exterior siding. To do it well, you'd really have to fabricate the shell in a single piece or maybe a few pie slices.

[#9 posted by Takuan , March 17, 2008 6:04 PM]

http://www.futurohouse.com/

[#10 posted by Antinous , March 17, 2008 6:15 PM]

I forgot about those. They're very cute but petite.

[#11 posted by cheddarben , March 17, 2008 8:18 PM]

Only $135,000? Well, I guess it makes sense.... having a house shaped like a spaceship is about as cool as having a house shaped like a turd.

[#12 posted by Takuan , March 17, 2008 8:24 PM]

now,THAT'S a house

http://www.robertbruno.com/

[#13 posted by Jack , March 17, 2008 8:36 PM]

Part of me is excited something this neat sold for a reasonable price. But then think about it. On a normal house your biggest worry is making sure the roof doesn't cave in. In this one, the bottom can fall out and then what?

Seems like a money pit at best. Unless someone opens a roadside attraction.

[#14 posted by sesuadra , March 17, 2008 8:48 PM]

I used to drive by this house every day...its in a horrible location, the traffic noise alone would drive me crazy! The house looks very run-down & dreary and has been on the market for years. I'm surprised it got even $135K