Comments on: Come to Cactus Kingdom

By: dawn

dawn — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 07:04:58 +0000

Actually, this is one of the best known houses in the Phoenix Metro. It’s not really in the middle of the desert. All around the Phoenix area are lots of pieces of property with big fancy houses. The hilly valley is good for making someone seem like they are living in the middle of the wilderness when they are just a couple miles from the city. Everyone wants to live out on the edge as much as they can, so all the riches neighbourhoods are backed by desert mountains; and all the mountains are covered in hiking trails.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 22:35:33 +0000

I have to admit that it was Marty’s selection and arrangement of photos that put me in mind of the Weeping Cacti. The photos at the listing are in a different order and certainly don’t give that impression. So… thanks, Marty!

By: Samme

Samme — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:06:29 +0000

The idea of the cacti closing in is hilarious Emerald. Looking at the selling history, this place looks like it is overpriced by about 3x what it is worth. I think for 3-4 million this would be a reasonable purchase (if you were interested in retiring your old arthritic bones into a reclusive eccentric house in a warm environment).
It was part of a multi-property sale for 3.8 million in 2012 and I strongly of doubt they updated or remodeled in the last 2 years. Maybe, if they updated everything on the inside as well as doing just a wee bit of landscaping (decorative rocks, succulents, appropriate desert plants) they might come close to deserving their asking price.

By: JMixx

JMixx — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:24:25 +0000

Em, that’s *exactly* the impression!! The cacti do appear to be closing in on the house, peering in the windows… But only when you’re not looking…
*blink*
Agh!

Those yellow arrows point to the two spots on the property where you can place a bare toe and not have it instantly pierced.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 04:31:23 +0000

@Emerald63: Woops... that last one was supposed to be a reply to anodean....

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 04:30:41 +0000

@Frodo: As long as the rusty bucket car doesn't send you careening down the steep track into the depths of Gringotts. Unless you have the key to Harry's bottomless vault, that is.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 04:29:39 +0000

@Frodo: I don't know about a crack in time, but with the house looking like adobe (or the concrete equivalent), you can probably find some cracks somewhere on the exterior surface. That work? ;)

By: anodean

anodean — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 21:51:05 +0000

So… what you’re all saying is that if you’re a very, very good person, you’ll get to live in a nice house and spend your time driving an amazing miniature choo-choo around the Railroad Heaven property – and if you’re a very, very bad person, you’ll have to live here, where a rusty bucket car will send you careening down a steep slope into a bunch of giant carnivorous cacti.

Time to get cracking on those New Year’s resolutions, eh? :D

By: Frodo

Frodo — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:41:13 +0000

In reply to Emerald63. @Emerald63: Now that you mention it, I totally see the weeping angels. Yiii! Where's a crack in time when you need one? Maybe the dated decor you mentioned?

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:34:13 +0000

@K: I don't think it's looney, K. Not any more than any other place in the country, because they all have their little quirks. Like it raining so much in Seattle or the humidity being so crazy in Louisiana. But for folks who aren't used to the desert I think the idea of plants that can impale you (if you're not careful) is a little intimidating, especially when there are just.so.many.in.one.place. :D

By: K

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:30:39 +0000

Being a desert rat, I don’t see anything “looney” about this glorious place. *sigh*

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:26:02 +0000

Marty, I love your progression of closer and closer cacti pics. Other Doctor Who fans will know what I mean when I say that anyone living in this place better not blink… not even blink… ’cause these angels have needles. (O_o)

In the hands of the right decorator this could be a real showpiece. As it stands, the interiors are outdated and lackluster. And those are the nice areas. The not-so-nice areas would look lame even in an average suburban housing tract. Yikes.

I’d go so far as to say that certain aspects not only are not the “lap of luxury” they’re close to being the “crotch of luxury.” The very first listing pic has numerous examples of the “ubiquitous plastic chair” surrounding the fire pit with the otherwise million dollar view. The few bookshelves Frodo mentioned (Pics 29 & 30) aren’t only meager, they’re a mess as far as being a sales tool, just like the bathroom. My own personal big turn-off is the overblown chateau-esque kitchen (Pics 19-21) that makes me lose my appetite just looking at it. And while saying there’s an elevator may be helpful, showing what looks to be a tiny jail cell (Pic 37) isn’t.

Adding to Marty questioning the sustainability, did anyone else notice there don’t seem to be any curtains or shades… anywhere? There are a few decorative swags, but these don’t have anything to do with moderating temps indoors. I pity any fine art these people may own. Putting this puppy up for sale – hopefully to more attentive owners – is likely a good thing. I’d love to see the after pics…

By: Frodo

Frodo — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 19:41:25 +0000

There are some pretty cool spaces in the house. The yard - not so much. But I do have to wonder that there are more wine racks than library shelves. I also have to wonder why the organ is in the bedroom. I half-expected to catch a glimpse of a wind-up cymbal monkey on the bench.