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Back in the day, prospective home buyers were at the mercy of newspaper ads and playing phone tag with real estate agents. Thankfully today, websites and apps have made finding a place to live much simpler. One of the most famous of such apps is Zillow, an online real estate network that allows users to buy, sell and rent properties, as well as find agents and available home loans. While Zillow can be a great tool to search through properties without spending an entire day driving around, it can also be a treasure trove of entertaining content.

To celebrate all of the quirky listings on Zillow, the Instagram page “Zillow Gone Wild” was born. With 1.5 million followers and over 750 posts, Zillow Gone Wild has gone viral for sharing photos of extravagant homes most people could only dream of and other homes so bizarre that it’s amazing anyone imagined them. We’ve gathered some of the most intriguing and least humble abodes for you to view and live vicariously through the owners.

Keep reading to also find interviews with Samir Mezrahi, the creator of Zillow Gone Wild, and Jennifer Lebow, realtor and "neighborhood guru". Then if you feel like the real estate bug has bitten you, check out Bored Panda’s last Zillow Gone Wild piece right here.

#1

Maybe The Most Perfect Mid Century Home We’ve Ever Seen In Sarasota Fl, Currently Listed At $899,000. 3 Bd, 1 Ba. 1,268 Sf

Maybe The Most Perfect Mid Century Home We’ve Ever Seen In Sarasota Fl, Currently Listed At $899,000. 3 Bd, 1 Ba. 1,268 Sf

zillowgonewild Report

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klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once again, I am failing to see how this is nasty, disturbing or ridiculous. I actually think it's pretty neat. Definitely not my taste, but I can appreciate what the architect was going for.

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Squilmo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this ridiculous, creepy, or nasty?!?! I love this and I know I'm not alone in wanting this house for myself.

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The Q
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't see anything Ridiculous, Creepy Or Nasty about this home.

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Eli A
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really love this! I'd redecorate the bedroom for sure but I love this 60's mod look!

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Alley Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a retro style I pray to God never comes back in style

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Jaclyn Ciocco
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn’t creepy or nasty. What’s up bored panada? Don’t know how to check the titles?

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Aria Whitaker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh, nice home and everything...but I would much rather spend $649k LESS on the goth house, personally. Almost a million for this? Hard pass.

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Shayne Randlett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had the means, I would purchase this today based on just these pictures. Sadly, for me, I have no means.

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Gina Mangin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The outside is amazing! The inside just needs a decorator to really make it special..even using the old pieces differently...so cool😎

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GadgetGirl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People pay about that for just the kitchen decor. Know what you have.

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Glen Ellyn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time capsule home, for sure. I like it, but I'd probably want to add a few windows. When this was built, many homes didn't have air conditioning. As this house is in Florida, I imagine the point of few windows was to keep the interior cooler.

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aaaggg hhh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's not one single thing wrong with this house, inside or out.

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Jane Jane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently this is the cilantro of houses. People either love it or hate it.

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Adam Zad
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would anyone put fewer bathrooms than bedrooms in a house?

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Glen Ellyn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the real world, especially for the time this house was built, it was normal to have only one bathroom, or maybe one plus an additional half-bath.

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Suzy the observer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine no walls inside save for the bathroom in the middle. Pets and kids would go crazy running circles.

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Tiny Dancer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would definitely have to add some windows, but this is gorgeous!

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kcanded
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't creepy, nasty or ridiculous. It's cool, funky and fun, and beautifully done.

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Gary Posselt
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one noticed there are no windows --zero--nada--other than one in each bedroom and the three little ones in the door that opens right into the kitchen? Seriously? 900K? No natural light? Are you kidding me?

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Cuppa tea?
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first 2 photos I was that is not bad at all, then the bedroom - oh dear. But with some interior renovation this is really great looking house.

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Alexandra Herr
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn! I'd instantly turn into a 50s housewife ... what a nightmare!

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John Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is more early 1960s. The aquamarine kitchen puts it at around 1962. ;-)

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Makoto Fletcher
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1 Bath, with 3 Bedrooms? Not gonna work, unless the people are very, very close!

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Zillow may now be gaining worldwide popularity for the absurdity of some of the listings, but it has grown into an immensely successful website since it’s conception in 2004. Started in Seattle, Washington by Rich Barton, Zillow now has 6,400 employees. In 2020, Zillow reported having 201 million monthly users, 9.6 billion visits yearly and $3.3 billion in yearly revenue. At the time, there were also 135 million homes listed in their database. Their corporate website states their mission is to give people the power to unlock life’s next chapter” and notes that they’ve also expanded their business into affiliates and subsidiaries including HotPads, Inc. Trulia, StreetEasy and more.

Zillow has dominated the housing market in the United States, and they credit becoming a household name to the success of their “Zestimate” feature. This is their “proprietary valuation algorithm” that provides each listing with an estimated property value, estimated rental value and the history of the property’s value in the past.  

#2

New Goth Home Just Dropped. $250,000

New Goth Home Just Dropped. $250,000

zillowgonewild Report

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Nathaniel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yuck! Too many bright contrasting colours! It is making me feel nauseous!

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There are certainly pros and cons to using an online real estate service like Zillow, so Union Street Media broke some of them down for buyers. We live in a digital age, so it makes sense for people to want to buy everything, including homes, online. The first pro listed for using Zillow is the sheer exposure. It provides buyers with seemingly endless options, meaning sellers’ homes are also seen by wide audiences. It also eliminates the need for many buyers to hire real estate agents, saving them some money. And for agents selling homes, it can take little effort to get listings seen by a broad audience. Zillow even has a “Premier Agent” feature, where agents can pay to get more traffic to their listings. 

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On the other hand, Zillow is not a perfect site. The first con Union Street Media mentions of using Zillow is the inaccuracy of their famous “Zestimate” feature. Apparently, the estimates are often incorrect, misleading buyers and making agents’ jobs harder. The website also tends to promote “non listing agents alongside listings that aren’t theirs” which causes confusion for buyers seeking more information. Being a Zillow Premier Agent also comes at a high price, ranging between $300-$1000 a month depending on the location of the realtor. Agents also have to spend a pretty penny to get their own listing leads.

#3

This Home Is Rainforest Cafe Meets The Home From Encanto. $25,000,000

This Home Is Rainforest Cafe Meets The Home From Encanto. $25,000,000

zillowgonewild Report

We were lucky enough to get to talk to Samir Mezrahi, the creator of Zillow Gone Wild, and hear from him what it's been like to see this page become so popular. "It's been so much fun," he told us. "I never imagined the reception would be this well received and across platforms. It's regularly picked up by local news when a home goes viral and it's really cool to see that people are actually buying these fun homes." We also asked Samir to talk a little about his favorite parts of running the page. "My favorite part is checking my inbox. I get like 50-100+ DMs a day of homes, and I never know what I am going to get and what I haven't seen before. One of my favorite homes was this one recently that was a Jetsons meets mid century modern vibe."

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We also asked Samir if he'd be interested in any of these homes. "I'd live in almost all of these homes! They all have such unique and fun characteristics." He didn't always feel that way, though. "I have to admit, before I started the account I wasn't so into some of these styles like mid-century modern, but it radicalized me and now I love them." Lastly, he reiterated how much fun running the page is and added that he feels like "we've only begun seeing some of the coolest homes out there". We love Samir's enthusiasm and greatly appreciate his page. Don't forget to give Zillow Gone Wild a follow right here!

#4

My Life Is 100% Better After Knowing This Mailbox Exists. $1,200,000

My Life Is 100% Better After Knowing This Mailbox Exists. $1,200,000

zillowgonewild Report

We reached out to realtor and "neighborhood guru" Jennifer LeBow to hear her thoughts on Zillow and whether or not buyers should steer clear of the site. "I would not necessarily avoid using it," Jennifer told us. "I would just be very clear on what to use it for. It will provide for sale by owner properties as well as MLS listed properties, which is good. However for any kind of estimate of value, it’s terrible. Additionally, a lot of its information is outdated as far as what is still available. Furthermore, one of the worst things is that Zillow is designed to make money by charging agents for showing up on a listing as though they were the listing agent. So consumers contact the agent who pops up, assuming that that agent will be knowledgeable about the neighborhood and the house. Most of the time, that is not the case and the buyer ends up with an agent who cannot properly represent them."

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If you are interested in avoiding Zillow, Jennifer recommends using a buyer's agent. "There is no cost to the buyer and not only does the agent have access to more listings than just one Zillow shows, if the agent is part of a brokerage that has private exclusives or quiet listings. Even more important, then a buyer is represented by someone who is knowledgeable about the entire buying process as well as the buyer's area of interest."

#5

This $1.2 Million New Berlin, Wi Has Been On And Off The Market For Years And Comes With An Atrium And Indoor Koi Pond

This $1.2 Million New Berlin, Wi Has Been On And Off The Market For Years And Comes With An Atrium And Indoor Koi Pond

zillowgonewild Report

We asked Jennifer if she had any advice for first time home buyers trying to navigate the competitive online market, and she said to first "make sure you have all of your finances in order and that you truly understand the costs of the purchase". "Not only the purchase price of the house, but the closing costs and any kind of appraisal gap coverage you might need to offer to be competitive," Jennifer explained. "Be sure to talk to a lender first thing. Also, expect that you will have to go over asking price, cover at least some appraisal gap and possibly wave or absorb certain amount of issues on a home inspection."

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Lastly, Jennifer wanted to add that a Zillow estimate can be "completely useless". "It has some merit if it is being used to look at a house in a very large community where all of the houses are the same, built relatively recently, in the same condition, with the same acreage, in the same school district, etc. It is particularly useless in areas where the housing stock is old because it does not account for updating and condition so it can be wildly in accurate."

#7

Chooo Chooooooooooooo. $305,000

Chooo Chooooooooooooo. $305,000

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#8

A 105,000 Sf Bel Air Mansion Called “The One” Will Be Going To Auction In February And Is Currently Listed At $295 Million

A 105,000 Sf Bel Air Mansion Called “The One” Will Be Going To Auction In February And Is Currently Listed At $295 Million

zillowgonewild Report

#9

Happy Castle Mansion Sunday. $5,000,000

Happy Castle Mansion Sunday. $5,000,000

zillowgonewild Report

Zillow has also encountered some trouble in recent history. After unveiling a business venture in December 2019 titled “Zillow Offers”, which allowed homeowners to sell their properties directly to Zillow for the corporation to then flip the homes and re-sell them at a higher price, Zillow has admitted defeat. The company announced in November 2021 that the project would be ending due to a lack of profits. After relying on their own Zestimate algorithms, Zillow was disappointed to find they had paid too much for too many homes that they just couldn’t resell for significant profits. The Wall Street Journal reports that employees actually had been concerned about the business venture long before it was shut down, but worries were unaddressed or dismissed.

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#10

For $165k I Guess We Have No Choice But To Move To Hawaii

For $165k I Guess We Have No Choice But To Move To Hawaii

zillowgonewild Report

#11

Here’s A Really Cool “Castle In The Forest” On 22 Acres In Christina Lake, British Columbia For Sale For $1,395,000 (Cnd)

Here’s A Really Cool “Castle In The Forest” On 22 Acres In Christina Lake, British Columbia For Sale For $1,395,000 (Cnd)

zillowgonewild Report

#12

Every Home Needs One Of These With Easy Access Off The Living Room. Currently Listed At $297,000. 3 Bd, 2 Ba. 2,178 Sq Ft

Every Home Needs One Of These With Easy Access Off The Living Room. Currently Listed At $297,000. 3 Bd, 2 Ba. 2,178 Sq Ft

zillowgonewild Report

For first time buyers in the United States, services like Zillow Offers have been quite controversial. With more and more Americans realizing they may never be able to own a home, large corporations like Zillow aren’t making their lives any easier. While historically, prospective buyers were given days or even weeks to view homes before the house would sell, companies snatching up homes before they even hit the market leaves buyers without a chance. Sure, companies like Zillow will soon sell the homes again, but with housing prices rising much faster than incomes, finding an affordable home is becoming harder than finding a needle in a haystack.

#13

Why Buy A Home When You Can Own Your Own 22 Bedroom 320 Acre Western Town In Saguache, Co.$4,700,000

Why Buy A Home When You Can Own Your Own 22 Bedroom 320 Acre Western Town In Saguache, Co.$4,700,000

zillowgonewild Report

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Spleens the cat fan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and to our left we have the Nomad of Nowhere but you can call him friend

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#14

If You Like The Show Friends Today Is Your Lucky Day Because We’ve Got The Perfect Houston Townhome For You

If You Like The Show Friends Today Is Your Lucky Day Because We’ve Got The Perfect Houston Townhome For You

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#15

Whenever I'm About To Do Something, I Think 'Would An Idiot Do That?' And If They Would, I Do Not Do That Thing. $475,000. 4 Bd, 3 Ba. 2,509 Sq Ft. 5 Acres

Whenever I'm About To Do Something, I Think 'Would An Idiot Do That?' And If They Would, I Do Not Do That Thing. $475,000. 4 Bd, 3 Ba. 2,509 Sq Ft. 5 Acres

zillowgonewild Report

Zillow was even recently involved in a class action lawsuit alleging that the company “misled investors about the ability and sustainability of its Zillow Offers home-buying service”. Aaron Winston Hillier, who filed the lawsuit, stated that, “As a result of defendants’ wrongful acts and omissions, and the resulting declines in the market value of the company’s securities, plaintiff and other members of the class have suffered significant damages.” He also claims Zillow knew they would need to eliminate their Offers venture far before the decision was announced. According to Top Class Actions, Hillier’s goal is to “represent a nationwide class of individuals who purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow securities between Aug. 7, 2021, and Nov. 2, 2021”.

#16

$6,900,000

$6,900,000

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Turt_Le
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the function of the inaccessible balconies? A viewing point for resident ghosts?

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#17

Good Luck Living Here Lol. $169,000. 4 Bd, 4 Ba. 2,750 Sf

Good Luck Living Here Lol. $169,000. 4 Bd, 4 Ba. 2,750 Sf

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Turt_Le
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't find Michael Meyers in the first two. I guess I'm not going to survive if Im in a horror movie situation

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#18

The “Worst House On The Best Block” In San Francisco Just Sold For $1.97 Million

The “Worst House On The Best Block” In San Francisco Just Sold For $1.97 Million

zillowgonewild Report

Aside from Zillow being a household name, the Zillow Gone Wild account has gained massive popularity due to the followers’ obsession with homes. Why do we find viewing homes so interesting? I remember spending Saturday afternoons as a child attending open houses with my mother, even though we had a perfectly fine home and no intention of moving any time soon. In fact, I’ll still happily go to an open house with her when I visit. Touring other people’s homes is fun! And it’s actually pretty common for us to be captivated by real estate, so much so that author Daniel McGinn wrote House Lust: America's Obsession with Our Homes.

#19

What’s Happening In Canada? $990,000

What’s Happening In Canada? $990,000

zillowgonewild Report

#21

We Are Down In Tampa Fl For This $8.95 Million Castle And Comes With This Very Green Ball Room

We Are Down In Tampa Fl For This $8.95 Million Castle And Comes With This Very Green Ball Room

zillowgonewild Report

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I’m A Black Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok I don't get it: what do you do with so much space? Like walk around your house all day? And sit in that garden that looks like a cafe alone?

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In the New York Times’ review of House Lust, Alexandra Jacobs mentions that Daniel McGinn was “not the first person to draw… an explicit link between sex and real estate”. In Marjorie Garber's 2001 book Sex and Real Estate: Why We Love Houses, comparisons are drawn between house hunting and dating, likening real estate agents to matchmakers. McGinn continued to expand on these metaphors in his book. “Today, in some neighborhoods, finding someone who doesn’t know the square footage of her house can be as hard as finding a Playboy centerfold who doesn’t know her bust size,” he stated. And I have to admit, he has a point. Living in a “dream house” (while the definition of that is different for everyone) is certainly many people’s fantasy.

#22

Santa’s Home Is On Zillow Lol North Pole

Santa’s Home Is On Zillow Lol North Pole

zillowgonewild Report

#23

When Red Is Your Favorite Color. $550,000

When Red Is Your Favorite Color. $550,000

zillowgonewild Report

#24

This Castle Is Over 20k Square Foot. Has 14 Bd, 17 Bathrooms And Is For Sale For $11.8 Million. The Home Sits On Over 4 Acres

This Castle Is Over 20k Square Foot. Has 14 Bd, 17 Bathrooms And Is For Sale For $11.8 Million. The Home Sits On Over 4 Acres

zillowgonewild Report

One woman who took her obsession with having the ultimate home quite far is Jackie Siegel. Jackie and her husband David became the infamous stars of the 2012 documentary film The Queen of Versailles. The film, directed by Lauren Greenfield, follows Jackie as she embarks on her journey to build the “largest single-family detached home” in the United States modeled and named after the famous palace in France. While the 90,000 square foot home is still not complete today, it’s certainly a shining example of the obsession many have today with elaborate homes.

#25

Nothing Can Prepare You For The Interior Of This $895k Scottsdale, Az Home

Nothing Can Prepare You For The Interior Of This $895k Scottsdale, Az Home

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Nathaniel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Authentic medieval decor. Britisher here and this home is the indistinguishable from our castles and keeps.

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#26

Here’s A 3,500 Square Foot Castle In Harford, Wi For $420k. 4 Bd, 4 Ba. .58 Acres

Here’s A 3,500 Square Foot Castle In Harford, Wi For $420k. 4 Bd, 4 Ba. .58 Acres

zillowgonewild Report

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#27

Babe Get Down From There Your Favorite Part Of The Movie Is About To Come On. $180,000

Babe Get Down From There Your Favorite Part Of The Movie Is About To Come On. $180,000

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Rachel Peterson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You gotta respect parents who are willing to turn their home into a place their kids love and use <3

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What makes a house really feel like home is different for every person. Some people simply need their loved ones and their pets to feel comfortable, while others require a bowling alley in their basement. I'm not here to judge, but I will take some time to enjoy viewing all of these unique homes. Be sure to upvote your favorite quirky properties, and if you're interested in seeing even more, don't forget to give Zillow Gone Wild a follow on Instagram. Then let us know in the comments, would you ever live in any of these wacky homes?

#28

On Todays Edition Of You Never Really Know What’s Happening In A Home. $639,000

On Todays Edition Of You Never Really Know What’s Happening In A Home. $639,000

zillowgonewild Report

#29

Here’s A Classic Castle In Woodstock, Ct Thats Been On And Off The Market For Years, Currently Listed At $60,000,000 With Almost 19,000 Square Feet Of Space

Here’s A Classic Castle In Woodstock, Ct Thats Been On And Off The Market For Years, Currently Listed At $60,000,000 With Almost 19,000 Square Feet Of Space

zillowgonewild Report

#30

I Have No Idea What’s Happening In This $650,000 Denver, Co Home But I Respect It

I Have No Idea What’s Happening In This $650,000 Denver, Co Home But I Respect It

zillowgonewild Report

Note: this post originally had 82 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.