The reader who first brought that humongously discounted house in Timbergrove Manor to our attention earlier this spring writes in to report that the tall courtyard home’s asking price has been further reduced. The 6,000-sq.-ft. home at 6204 Queenswood Ln. was originally listed for $1.8 million, but was cut to $1 million in April.
As of last week, the home has been relisted with an even-further-reduced price: $749,999. Why the continuing freefall? Writing in May, a commenter on our earlier story offered some details:
. . . the listing agent indicated that the home had sustained water damage during Ike due to broken windows. She also let me know that the home would soon be going into a short sale, which is now listed on the Agent side of the MLS Listing. . . . Unfortunately, the home did suffer major damage, which in reality looked like the roof leaked throughout the house. The sheetrock has been removed from all ceilings and top ¾ of the walls on the entire second floor. All the molding has also been removed throughout the house. The floorplan is amazing with large rooms, wide hallways and high ceilings. It is really an amazing place!
The photos in the new listing are considerably different from those in the first, and reveal some of the extent of the damage. Here’s the latest view of the central courtyard, scene of that dramatic waterfall:
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The library:
And more of the interior:
These pics of the exterior were taken by our reader . . .
. . . who adds:
I also noticed a very large crack on the front steps towards the side of the house. Makes me wonder what exactly ‘as-is’ condition of this house really is.
- 6204 Queensland Ln. [HAR]
Photos: Swamplot inbox (last 3); HAR (all others; first from previous listing)
Ugh, so sad.
Wow that’s one heck of a smack-down from mother nature. The trees strike back, perhaps in solidarity with their doomed Galveston brethren. (assuming it was downed tree limbs poking holes in the roof that led to all the water damage)
Sounds like lot value.
Lot value minus demo minus cost to carry until a new build could actually be profitable in this location. $350k.
“Nice built in pool surrounded by wood decking and a waterfall feature.”
Classic. You would think they could have at least cleaned the pool.
Metal trusses in the ceiling? Is that common in residential construction?
i’m glad that more and more people are finding out that not just anyone can develop housing… it’s not as easy is picking out a bunch of trendy cliches and throwing them together.
That’s sad. However, I have a question…was the house already completed when Ike struck? If so, it seems like it wasn’t built all that well to begin with. I mean, that’s a lot of damage for a new house…
Its a shame that the house took so much damage. I think the major problem for the seller now is going to be trying to sale the house as having value about the land. I liked the original pictures of the house, but now you would have a hard time getting it past inspection and you know that the first question that will come to someone’s mind when they hear water damage will be mold. If they got the wet sheetrock and any carpet out in time then they might be ok.
Judging from the amount of drywall removed it would seem the only preventative measure against mold would have been removing all the drywall and the insulation. Which the builder for some reason didn’t do. Perhaps he was worried about the appearance and thought a little damage didn’t look as bad as a lot of damage? There obviously was a lot of damage. And probably a lot of mold behind the drywall that wasn’t removed. Particularly in the ceilings.
What is really scary is that crack at the entrance. New homes shouldn’t have foundation problems. This one apparently does.
the house is on stilts so it shouldn’t have foundation problems. maybe the crack is cosmetic.
Hmm…should I buy a house that is over-priced for the area, needs significant repair, and may have future foundation and mold issues? Sounds like a great investment…
Didn’t the Financial Times describe Houston as a city where “everyone is a builder.” Indeed, but is it clear that some are much better at it than others.
Since I live in a tear down neighborhood, I see how much extensive repair happens at expensive houses that are only a year or two old. Many go back on the market soon, too. An insurance agent told me it is common. Owners are so angry about the house, the decide they must move for their mental health.
…the house is on stilts so it shouldn’t have foundation problems. maybe the crack is cosmetic.
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Okay. Maybe it has soil problems. Cosmetic or not, the house shifted to cause a crack that size. It didn’t settle. It shifted.
based on no info at all except that photo of the crack, I’d say it’s most likely that the porch is unsupported (by piers) and is falling off the house. It shouldn’t be that hard to repair.
My question is this: if the water damage was from wind-driven rain (coming in broken windows), why isn’t an insurance settlement available to repair the damaged sheetrock? It’s not like a flood damaged the ceiling – many homeowners forgo flood insurance – but most policies in Harris County should carry wind damage.
The house would have sold a long time ago if they’d replaced the sheetrock and cleaned it up. Did someone take the money and run?
Is it a requirement that the developer hold insurance on the property before it is sold for the first time? Maybe there is no insurance …
I would tend to agree about that crack also. Based on the crack line the stucco has cracked between the home and the steps all the way around. That would suggest that one of them has moved and the unsupported porch is a much more likely contender. Maybe an expansion gap between the two would have been sensible.
It was hideous before the damage. Do us all a favor and tear it down.
Just noticed on har.com this listing now shows status of ‘Option Pending’
What builder in his right mind would build a house that big, that expensive in Timbergrove? If he’s dropped the price to half of what he was originally asking, he has a huge mark up and for what? A low quality house?
I believe the house has sold. It was listed as option pending on har.com in August and now it is not on there.