As long as you don’t need a bathroom, or a kitchen, or parking, this tiny beach retreat in Seattle is perfect!

From the description:

Dream come true, yours for the taking! LEVITATING LIGHTHOUSE is a treehouse built on the bluff. Breathtaking city, mountain & sound views- this property is one of a kind! Built by & featured on Treehouse Masters. The levitating lighthouse is your recreation retreat. Everything stays. Go crabbing & salmon fishing. Rainwater catchment purification system. In the city but far away. Home featured on Treehouse Masters and written about in several articles.

Of course, there is some fine print…

Financing not available.

So, cash-only for this waterfront shack.

Oh, there’s also the minor issue that the city of Seattle may may demand that the treehouse be demolished.

But the city has its own problem with the property: It turns out [Property owner Ronald] Rae and the show host who built it, King County resident and renowned treehouse builder Pete Nelson, never got permits to put up the treehouse, which sits east of where several Magnolia homes were destroyed in a landslide in 1996.

After Animal Planet’s episode aired in 2014, the city sued Rae, saying the structure was too elaborate to be considered a childlike treehouse typically exempt from the building code, and it was on a steep hill next to the water. He was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and get the permits to bring the 280-square-foot treehouse properly up to code by the end of this March.

If he can’t pass the city’s inspections, he’ll have to demolish the treehouse, according to the city. Otherwise he faces a $100,000 fine.

That would be a shame. The article is from January, but I can’t find any more recent information about whether the city has approved the treehouse or not.

Animal Planet has a nice video of the building:

The Seattle TV station KING 5 also featured the treehouse:

From the listing:

Extreme Fire Damage From Fire 4/17/2013

Gotta love that they used what appears to be a photo of the home actually on fire as the primary photo.

Yup, looks like a total loss.

The price isn’t too bad for a lot in that area, so I guess it’s not surprising that the listing is pending.

This listing was submitted by Lindsey T., who says:

Slightly terrifying but you just can’t look away :)

Personally I think it’s a little more than just “slightly” terrifying.

But I agree that I can’t look away.

What is even happening here?

Was the previous inhabitant of this home some kind of insane sentient cat?

I can’t even really tell what any of these rooms are supposed to be.

Just about the only recognizable room is the bathroom.

…and I can only just barely tell that it’s a bathroom.

Okay nope, I’m out. Done.

This one sold for $2.8 million last month, but I definitely couldn’t resist posting it anyway. Here’s the listing description:

This Hillsborough iconic landmark, seen from highway 280, is on the market for the first time in 20 years. In 1976 Bay Area architect William Nicholson designed the multiple domed home that is nestled into the hillside overlooking Crystal Springs Reservoir. Architect, Eugene Tsui, designed the “biologic” kitchen. Interesting rooms include a game room, the conversation pit, and the 3rd bedroom with a loft. This is an amazing opportunity for buyers who appreciate the architecture and design.

Some call it the “Flinstones” home, but to me the only true real-life Flinstones home is Dick Clark’s old Malibu home, which sold in 2014 for $1.8 million. You can read more about that home on Curbed.

I’d be worried about constantly skinning my elbows on the walls.

If I had to guess, I’d say the room above is probably “the conversation pit.”

I wonder if that stone table is made of actual stone, or if it’s a lightweight facsimile.

I… have no idea what this room is. But it has dinosaurs so it’s A-okay with me.

Here’s an interesting and unique property currently on the market in Kirkland, WA (Seattle area). No idea what the point of this design was, other than just to be different.

I love this bit from the listing agent’s description:

One of a kind, unique home exemplifies ‘organic architecture’ of the 1970’s – a style reminiscent of a very famous architect of this style home.

Nice generic almost-reference.

So. Many. Triangles.

The lot looks pretty lush, but the home has apparently been somewhat neglected.

Inside we’ve got lots of exposed wood and big windows. It’s certainly a unique look.

Apparently the designer of this house was allergic to right angles.

I love this directly overhead view. Every listing should include one of these.

The only thing left inside the home is a single lonely piano.

Not a lot to say about this one. It’s a fairly normal 2.4 million dollar listing, but as I was scrolling through the photos—BAM—that deep purple sofa just jumped out of nowhere.

I also appreciate that they’ve included the directly-above shot that I love.

Isn’t there usually supposed to be a bit of headroom between the top of the doors and the ceiling?

This isn’t a basement we’re looking at. It’s the ground floor.

It seems pretty obvious that there used to be a large garage door taking up most of the front of this “house.” I suspect that maybe the building was originally just someone’s detached garage, and they decided to “finish” it and sell it as a standalone home. Good luck with that.

Nothing particularly noteworthy about this picture…

…but that didn’t stop the agent from shooting a second photo almost exactly like it, and including both of them in the listing.

And it’s not just the living that got the double-take treatment, either.

The bedroom also gets double vision.

I promise I’m not just putting two of the same photo on here. Go the listing and see for yourself.

Same treatment for the entry hallway, too.

Here’s a bonus shot that, despite being incredibly blurry, wasn’t taken a second time:

How do listing agents like this ever find work?

I saw this listing and just couldn’t resist. The designer of this home really nailed it.

But I don’t know, personally I think I would get board after a while.

I wood go on, but I think it’s time to branch out and try something new.

Despite the apparent state of disrepair, this multi-dome home is only a little over ten years old.

Looks like a dream that was just never quite realized.

If you’ve got an interest in living in rural northern Minnesota, the dream can be yours for just $74,900.

With nearly 8 acres, there’s apparently plenty of room on the property to set up camp while you work on finishing the domes.

Bonus: In addition to the multi-dome, you get a hangar!

Scratch that… Two hangars!

Over on the Zillow listing, they’ve got some extra photos, including a complete set of floor plan drawings:

This one is pretty darn cool. If I had $75k lying around I would be seriously tempted to buy it to turn it into my own little rural retreat.

Free rocks included with purchase of home.

Added bonus: Green stuff!

What’s that? Oh, you want to see what the house itself looks like? Okay, sure.

Here is a wall.

And here is some trim.

Oh, you wanted to see more? Fine.

No, you can’t see any photos of any of the rooms inside. Only tiny photos of the outside and weirdly-close photos of interior features.

My favorite bit from the listing description?

Many features from years of old still remain in place.

That is the nicest way I have ever heard an agent say “needs a ton of updates.”

That headline isn’t meant to be metaphorical. It’s literal. Apparently the seller of this home literally kept their kid in the closet.

Storage room has been repurposed into additional sleeping quarters with IKEA juvenile bed and built-in shelving and drawers.

That’s one way to squeeze everything possible out of a 762 square foot condo.

Now you see it…

Now you don’t!

Thanks to Kathy, who sent this one in. She remarks:

It’s as if they have a kitchen only because the condo or local codes requires one. But the kitchen is not the only wonder to behold…

Indeed!

Take this nondescript hutch, for instance…

BOOM! Giant liquor cabinet.

And check out that bathtub faucet. Wow.

There’s certainly something to be said for picking a theme and sticking with it.

What’s so special about this home? From the listing description:

It straddles the border, and a small portion of the building in in Canada. Historic building called the “Old Stone Store” was formerly a store and US/Canadian Post Office.

Okay, that is pretty cool. Here’s the satellite view from Google Maps, with the home marked by the small grey pin:

An article from the Associated Press has more:

For sale: A 1782 fixer-upper with thick granite walls, 1950s decor, and armed 24-hour security provided by both Canada and the United States of America.

The just over 3,000-square-foot house, cut into five currently vacant apartments, is on a lot of less than a quarter-acre that, along with the building itself, straddles the border between Beebe Plain, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec.

Selling a home in two countries is proving to be a challenge for the couple who owns it. The structure, which has an estimated rebuild cost of about $600,000, is on the market for $109,000. It’s structurally sound but needs lots of work. And then there’s that international border.

“In the day, it was a normal and natural thing,” Brian DuMoulin, who grew up in the house and was accustomed to life literally on the border at a time when no one thought twice about crossing from one country to the other. “Now it stresses everyone out.”

The home itself isn’t much to look at, but the location is certainly unique!

Nothing sells a home quite like a living room packed to the gills with dolls.

Bonus:

Gotta love the classic Pacific Northwest outdoor photos: “The ground is obviously covered in rain but we have photoshopped in a bright blue sky anyway.”

This is a lovely mid-century modern home that looks to have been expertly updated, but some of what the listing agent chose to feature in their set of 64 photos is a little… odd. Does the Pottery-Barn-esque canvas laundry basket come with the listing? Why is it featured so prominently?

Okay, cool…I guess this photo is trying to show us that if you buy this house you can sit with pillows and browse a picture book? Cool, I guess…

Twigs in a vase. That’s it, I’m sold. I need this house.

There are photos of two other angles of this tub and shower in the listing so obviously this shot is just here to let us know that if we want to set a tray on the tub, we can. Good to know.

Beds: Also good for reading! Hang on though, I don’t think we’ve seen enough of that bed just yet. I wish there were another shot almost just like this one, but with the pillows in-focus.

Ah, there we go. Much better.

Rawr.

It’s all in the details.

Behold! This home has a ceiling!

I have to know though: Do all the rad portrait paintings and the giant green table and chair set come with the $17 million price tag? Because if not, just forget it.

From the submitter:

As the listing states, it’s a rare opportunity to enjoy this pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! :)

I can see why they led with the double rainbow. The home itself is… Meh.

From the listing description:

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” lies a magnificent view from the home and the yard of this lovely home on Gleneagles. Walk through the doors that lead to a home far grander than it appears.

What does it mean?!?

Hmm this photograph does not quite match the listing description:

The front porch has a large stone arch giving the house a warm, inviting feel to it!

I make fun of the corny 3D renderings that some unfinished homes use for their listings, but I think this strategy is probably worse.

I especially love the weird burned-corners look of the digital floorplan drawings.

This listing is for a 680 square foot, single-bedroom condo in what looks like a relatively small building.

I guess when you’ve only got 680 square feet to photograph, you get a little bored…

Who could have guessed that 3745 Harriet Ave S would be located at the corner of 38th & Harriet?

So, is the buyer of this condo required to perform the “revolutionary Cuban cooking,” or do they just have to smell it all day every day?

Huh. So 3745 Harriet Ave S has the numbers 3745 on it. Weird.

Here’s one of 7 almost identical photos of the house.

With all those multiples, a descriptive list will work here.

There are… multiple Persian carpets (too many to count), as well as at least 2 medieval style tapestries; 8 (or possibly 9) fireplaces; at least 4 athletic facilities, including both indoor and outdoor pools and the obligatory regulation indoor tennis court (with added basketball capability); several dramatic staircases, one of which overlooks the tennis court (Pic 49); a plethora of terraces, covered porches, and balconies; 2 inglenooks (Pics 15 &24) plus one quasi-inglenook (Pic 26), all boldly colored; and enough storage space for you and several dozen of your closest friends to ride out the zombie apocalypse in comfort.

So what is there only one of?

To start with, a ceiling fresco, but with multiple cupids, of course.

Your own private village square with dog, but with multiple shopfronts garages, of course.

A purple home office with a sole, purple folk art rooster, but with multiple mystery appliances, of course. (Seriously, what are those things?)

One swimming pool rock waterfall, but with multiple rocks, of course. Although… there is only one “speaker” rock (lower left foreground).

And finally, one lone giraffe, but with multiple spots, of course.

Oh, and there are multiple plants throughout the house for Mr. Giraffe’s foraging pleasure. Of course.

[Special thanks to Marty for locating this 12 minute walk-through video. Turns out there are indeed 9 fireplaces and the mystery appliances are washers and dryers.]

I was raised with authentic vintage beams and planking…

with hand-painted, ceiling-high murals…

and a scrupulously clean barn basement with stone walls.

Besides “a fine appreciation for history,” my barn also has “resort-style grounds with pool, cabana, gym and sauna”…

…as well as a wine cellar, appropriately located in the silo cellar.

It’s a respectable upbringing, being raised in a barn. As the sign says…

It’s A Wonderful Life!

…and about as small as one, too.

It’s so small – “How small is it?” – you can’t even see it from the street.

No, not the white one. The one lurking behind all the foliage on the left. So much for “curb appeal.”

It’s so small, you can see 90% of the interior in this one photo:

It’s so small, that path around the bed is all there is to the bedroom.

It’s so small, you can see one end of the front room from the kitchen and the other through the far bedroom door. Here’s a better look:

And…. Tha, Tha, That’s All Folks!

Well, OK, there is an extra room.

But the house is so small, the extra room is all the way out back…

…in an even smaller building!

The only thing not in on the “How small is it?” contest is the price. Or it was. The property sold for $350,000. And there ain’t no button in the world that cute.

If you thought you were going to get any photos of this 672 square foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house offered for sale near Dallas for $70,000… You were wrong.

Instead, all you get is a picture of this portrait of an unknown lady.

The title of this post is taken from the listing description:

Be careful! Unlivable now. Extra large lot, 9 large oak trees make a perfect home site for living & entertaining. On the East & on the West, the homes are newer brick ones. Take this one; update it; maybe add on some square footage & you’ll have a wonderful home or a great flip. CAUTION: Be very careful – flooring is unstable & has trip hazards. Bring your flash light.

Good to know that there are 9 large oak trees. If a listing has any fewer than 7 I don’t even consider it.

What a location.

What a house.

This unique remote California desert home has been off and on the market five or six times since 2002. The current asking price on the “Volcano House” is $650,000. When Curbed wrote about it in 2009 the asking price was $750,000.

Every room has an amazing view. You know, if you’re into barren desert landscapes.

Because that’s pretty much all you get.

As far as the eye can see.

It’s about a 50 minute drive to Barstow, the closest town of any significant size. This place certainly seems like it would make a sweet retreat for someone in Southern California.

If you’re craving more photos, here’s a great Flickr set of the Volcano House by Chapman Publications. Amusing Planet has an article with some more details about the home’s background.

Also, CNNMoney did a segment on the house a few years ago:

Finally, here’s a cool night timelapse video of the house:

Above: The primary listing photo for this $550,000 Philadelphia townhouse.

That’s a nice picture and all, but where’s the actual home for sale?

Nope, not here. But let’s have a closer look at the street art…

There are 14 photos on this listing. A grand total of two of those photos are of the inside of the actual home being sold:

So, basically the seller here is asking you to pay over half a million dollars for some historic scenery and funky mosaic art outside the home.

It’s hard to figure out exactly what happened here, but I’m pretty sure what we’re looking at are physical photo prints that were digitally scanned on a flatbed scanner.

Then just straight up dumped on the MLS. No cropping, no rotating… Nothing.

At 3 percent commission, this listing agent stands to “earn” $9,870 if this home sells. Maybe they can use some of the money to buy a digital camera, or at least some rudimentary photo editing lessons.

That’s certainly an interesting piece of sculpture, and it appears a lot in this photo set. It seems odd that the listing photos would focus so much on a piece of art when the home itself is… well, have a look for yourself:

Apparently burritos are good business.

Never before on the market, this exceptional contemporary home was originally built for Steve Ells, founder of Chipotle.

Not surprisingly for someone in the restaurant business, this place has one of the nicest kitchens I’ve ever seen.

Here’s the other side of the kitchen, and a conspicuous shot of that sculpture again:

And of course what rich person’s modern home listing would be complete without the obligatory shot of the pristine garage with their sexy luxury cars?

Okay, back to the sculpture again.

Also: I hear some of you on this site like… stairs?

All right, let’s close it up with yet another shot of that sculpture.

There are lots more great photos on the virtual tour. Just beware, that link auto-plays a dumb video by default. Click “Photos->All” on the upper-left to stop the music and get to the pictures.

Cool art, bro.

Dig that all-black kitchen with the metal buck bust.

I’m not sure if the bedroom is really that red. Might just be the photo processing. On the other hand…

Obviously the bro that’s selling this loft is a fan of red.

So much going on with this home. The foot shot is just the trip tip of the iceberg.

The listing agent does a pretty good job of describing this place:

Wildly creative spaces are throughout this masterpiece of a home built in 2013. “Bright textiles, eclectic styles mixed with tastefully neutral tones” describes this house to a tee. A mix of industrial, modern and classic – all under one roof that makes the most refreshing elegant and comfortable living. There is not another one like it!

Okay well I’m not sure about that “tastefully neutral tones” part… I mean, I guess the walls themselves are relatively “neutral.” But everything on and inside the walls…

Torsos for the win.

The really crazy thing about this place is that it’s not in Los Angeles, or San Francisco, or even Las Vegas…

It’s in Oklahoma City.

Groovy den.

Even the outside is multi-color:

Just $2.8 million and all 8,122 square feet can be yours.