This yellow Cape Cod-style “condex” is for sale in New Hampshire. It looks like a nice enough little place, and it’s only $199,900. But imagine my surprise when I was looking through the photos and saw a few “extras” that the Realtor threw in! Check it out–a nice fireplace in the family room: 
And…a happy couple taking a walk: 
A songbird: 
A large master bedroom with sitting area: 
A kitchen with hardwood floors: 
A couple playing tennis: 
Uncle Sam’s hat with money falling into it (or flying out of it?): 
And my favorite–a dog and cat that love each other: 
I’m guessing that the Realtor was trying to illustrate some of the amenities the community offers–tennis courts, walking paths, and…money hats. I wonder if the cute dog and cat come with the place, too?
Thanks to Shannon for sending me the listing on a day when I needed a laugh!
Go to my Bad MLS Photos page to see more!
That is too funny! If I were looking, it would make me wonder if the house was so bad that he had to include all of these things as a distraction.
.-= pk @ Room Remix´s last blog ..GIVEAWAY! – $125 at CSN Stores =-.
Too funny! What’s up with the songbird and hat with money??
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Intermission =-.
What is a condex? I must now go Google!
.-= Nichole´s last blog ..My Stairway Got Hit With The Ugly Stick! =-.
Weird.
It’s a cute house though.
.-= Carmen´s last blog ..10 years old! =-.
wait, what?
Oooh, dear. The Broker I worked for would have flipped out if I tried to sneak any of those stock photos into her listings. :s
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Propaganda, Gifts, and a Get-Together Recap =-.
You had me at “money hat”!!!
.-= Courtney @ Nesting Instincts´s last blog ..I’m BAAAAACK!!! =-.
Crazy! The fact that the door isn’t anywhere near the middle of the house bugs me. My sense of balance is very sensitive. Off-center in the middle, or to the right of a square are OK, but at the end? I couldn’t buy it. $200K for a 3 bdrm like this makes me thankful for our home prices in South Dakota…even if we do only get to look at corn fields! Thanks for the smiles.
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..A Constipated Brain =-.
Maybe the realtor watched The Office last week, with Michael putting not so subtle subliminal messsages into his presentation about printers! Hey, if it works on TV, why not try it in real estate?
.-= rosie at 3 rosebuds´s last blog ..Thanks to the genius of Craisglist… =-.
It’s good for a laugh, if nothing else! I love the little bird …it says “tranquil” all over it!
I second the question…what is a condex?
.-= Pat´s last blog ..An "A" For Effort =-.
I have to say, I had never heard of a “condex” before, either! Maybe it’s a New Hampshire thing?
I know this is an older post, but I figured I’d clarify for non-New Englanders
A “condex” is like a cross between a condo and a duplex- it’s like two single-family houses attached to each other. No common areas, no condo association or fees, and you pay separate property taxes. Most of the time the houses mirror each other, but in some cases (like this) they are just attached.
As far as the extra photos in the listing, I see that quite often up here too
That’s too funny! I don’t know, if I liked the house, whether the extra photos would make me want to see the house even more or sending me running in the other direction. I guess it’s good to have a sense of humor!
.-= Sarah @ Dream In Domestic´s last blog ..Halloween in May =-.
I have NEVER seen that before! How strange.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..This is beautiful! =-.
I agree with Catherine! It looks almost like the door was an afterthought? Too funny about the pictures though…it does kind of make you wonder how terrible IS this place that they have to resort to cheesy clip art to catch your attention? lol
Heck with the dog and cat, I can get those myself…I want the neverending money hat!!! lol Too funny.
~Michelle
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Yard Sale Find =-.
…The things you can buy in America!!
.-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last blog ..Coconut Grove….I just LOVE the name… =-.
HA! I’m sold on any neighborhood that gives away money hats!
.-= Kelli´s last blog ..Tuesday Truth #10 – I can’t stop looking =-.
Oh brother! That is beyond cheesy. As my friend would say that is “canned cheese”. Although I probably would at least go see a house that had a magic money hat!
.-= hip hip gin gin´s last blog ..Eva Zeisel =-.
Oh brother. What is wrong with these agents? I thought advertising your house with pictures was a good thing, but not if your agent is including photos like those. I don’t know if I want the house, but I’ll take the hat full of money!
.-= beth´s last blog ..Painted checkerboard floors, and ideas for the laundry room =-.
I love when you have these posts. Everyone does their job differently don’t they?
Hysterical photos trying to paint the picture of one’s new life. The home could have used some professional staging or photo styling at the minimum. Keep up your humorous side!
That is hilarious! Look at the life you could have–
.-= desiree´s last blog ..From Tudor and Art Deco to Zen, Willow Glen Home Tour Inspires =-.
Funny. Perhaps she was trying to set the mood? Like new tract home developers do in their brochures. They have no houses built yet so they have to show you how you will “feel” living in their neighborhood. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a money hat though. Was that Uncle Sam “taking” my money? Or giving me some to help me buy my house?
.-= Tracy @ Comfort&Luxury´s last blog ..Creative Art Idea from the Show House =-.
SHUT UP! This is hilarious!! Maybe the man and woman come with it and keep the grounds and home tidy!
Lou Cinda
.-= Lou Cinda´s last blog ..MET MONDAY =-.
Julia, I am in a condominium but a condex? I wonder if the Realtor’s young asst put this together!? Too funny!
Karena
Art by Karena
.-= Karena´s last blog ..Opening Night Art Exhibit & Reception =-.
I grew up and lived in New Hampshire until recently and I’m thinking that the crazy Uncle Sam hat may represent the fact that New Hampshire doesn’t have a general sales tax or an income tax, and they are presenting it as a draw to the state. Shameful listing!
I HAD to look up what condex meant.
2-unit condo (condex), or a duplex, and both floors are usually owned by one person who lives in one and rents the other (or rents out both).
Then I became confused again when a realtor stated that he felt it was a 2 unit complex, where individuals only own their own unit. But the first one came from someone who was familiar with these types of units because there are several in her area.
Thanks, Sandy. The mystery of the “condex” has been solved. Sorta.
Do they throw in the pets, the hat full of cash and the bird plus bird feeder for a full price contract? Or is there a bidding war?? Thanks for the giggle!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Reds on the Line =-.
LOL!! How strange is that?? Gotta give the thumbs up for being creative though… Although I’m not sure it’s going to work..
xoxo
dagny
.-= Dagny @ Scandinavian Chic´s last blog ..Scandinavian & Chic giveaway 3 of 5: Grand Cru =-.
that is too funny! my husband and i LOVE looking through listings at the random pictures people post!
.-= Melanie Beth´s last blog ..Today I am loving stripes =-.
Absolutely hilarious! I cannot stop laughing.
My guess is that the money hat represents the $8,000 that Uncle Sam was giving away to promote home sales. Just recently found your blog – I’m enjoying it!
I’d like to buy a vowel.
hilarious! my house came with a money hat, too. i can confirm that the money is flying TO uncle sam and OUT of my pocket. i would like to trade the money hat for a nice songbird. maybe i should contact the realtor!
.-= rachel´s last blog ..tuesday thoughts =-.
If one couple cooks and the other does the cleaning and lawn work, well then I may have to move the family up to New Hampshire!
.-= Black Eyed Susans Kitchen´s last blog ..THIS AND THAT MONDAY…OR WHAT I DID THIS WEEKEND =-.
Now that’s some good selling tactics!! Love this, made me smile!
.-= tara´s last blog ..Linen & Lace~ =-.
hmm…I’ve been looking for a house that comes with a “money hat”, I’d guess a positive cash flow would be a guarantee.
Those are hysterical! Too funny! I snorted over the money hat!
.-= Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish´s last blog ..Nashville Needs You … =-.
Hi Julia,
Now this is an interesting marketing technique! Maybe it’s sort of subliminal. You are supposed to believe if you buy this house, your life will be full of money, sweet pets, and days on the tennis courts!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Welcome to the 89th Tablescape Thursday! Dining Amidst the Tulips and Wisteria =-.
Hey Julia,
This is without doubt a very nice property.
I am not sure of what is the avg. property value in New Hampshire, but I guess $299k should be a good price in exchange of what I see from the picture.
I see some opportunities to do some decor on the yards. Perhaps can create a low maintenance backyard – Plant some flowers, sturdy trees and get a porch chair etc.
Jay Chua
Publisher, PorchSwingSets.com
.-= Jay Chua´s last blog ..Atlantic Outdoor Iron Patio Double Glider =-.
ROTF! That’s hilarious! What were they thinking?
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Links I Like: 13th Edition =-.
Just when I think we’ve seen it all in bad mls listings–you do it again and prove to us that there are still nutty people out there. I love the 1990s couple on the walk. I’m sure they are talking about how they are going to update their new home with some hunter green and mauve.
.-= angela | the painted house´s last blog ..Bring Hotel Style Home =-.
Okay so my guess:
Couple 1. unit perfect for starting out or couple 2 empty-nesters, but could be paths that take you back in time to the tennis courts.
Bird: quiet complex or has forest setting.
Money hat: fed tax credit ifin purchase contract by 4/30/10 (agree with above)
Cat n Dog: complex pet friendly.
Condex: a condo that attached to one other unit (duplex mashed with condo.)
This is better than the high end house websites that show macro pix of an orchid or an objet de art, that the decorator billed $165, marked down from $250, that I could pick up in Tijuana for fin if I had the guts to cross the boarder, and other stuff that doesn’t even go with the house.
I guess the money hat is for all those strangers and animals I’ll have to support if I buy this condex and all it’s “extras”.
Thanks for the laugh!
$200K will buy me a house where dogs and cats live in love and harmony? How cool is that? (I wonder if there’s a house that features sibling harmony?)
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..Dishing with Amanda =-.
Actually, I think the dog has a glint in his eye. I don’t fancy that cat’s chances once the camera goes away.
When we were house shopping, we were very tickled by a (waterfront) house listing which was careful to state Ducks not included. Too bad, we would have paid an extra $100k for them!
.-= Struggler´s last blog ..Giveaway Winner and Three Trends on the Turn =-.
Oh I’m so glad you did a post on it! I’ve been laughing at that MLS post for months (cause it’s been for sale for a loooong time.) Sometimes they even change the ridiculous pictures. I knew when I found your site that I just had to send it in, haha – glad to see so many others seemed to have gotten a kick out of it as well!
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Kitchen Renovation – Day 3: Window, Lights and Crisis Recap =-.
Too funny! I saw this posting since my husband and I are looking to relocate. I thought it was pretty odd myself!
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