In the upscale neighborhood of Georgetown, Washington D.C., an unusual property has caught the attention of potential buyers – a wall listed for sale at the surprisingly low price of $50,000. While this may seem like an enticing opportunity, there’s a twist – it’s just a wall, not an entire property. T
Allan Berger, a resident of Washington, D.C., is offering his worn-out brick wall for sale after a disagreement with his neighbor, Daniela Walls. The wall has an interesting history, as Allan inherited it from his father, who had acquired it in a tax auction back in the 1960s as a humorous gesture, claiming he owned property in Georgetown. At the time, the wall was acquired for a mere $2.14.
The wall holds sentimental value for Allan, reminding him of his late father’s sense of humor, and he enjoys showing it off. He shares ownership of the wall with Daniela, with each owning 12 inches of its exterior and interior, respectively.
Their relationship remained civil until Daniela experienced problems with the wall, noticing water leaks inside her home. An engineer’s assessment revealed that the issue stemmed from the wet beams on Allan’s side of the property. The wall on Allan’s side was visibly deteriorating and poorly maintained, with Robert Morris, Allan’s real estate agent, describing it as “crumbling.”
In response to the issue, Daniela reported it to her insurance company, leading the D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) to intervene. Due to Allan’s failure to maintain his side of the wall, he was fined $1,661 for “improper upkeep, including peeling or chipping paint and holes or rotting materials.” Allan denied the claims, and a hearing is scheduled for September, with a 30-day deadline given to provide a report on the wall’s structural integrity.
This situation has caused tension between the neighbors, with Allan viewing Daniela’s involvement with the DOB as a personal attack, while she insists that her actions are meant to address the problem and ensure safety. Daniela even offered to buy Allan’s half of the wall for its tax-assessed value of $600, but he chose to list it for $50,000 instead.
Despite the oddity of the listing, the worn-out wall has managed to attract 12 potential buyers. However, 11 of them backed out upon realizing the need to secure approval from the Old Georgetown Board for the purchase. Only one potential buyer scheduled a viewing but ultimately decided against acquiring the wall after seeing its condition.
As of now, the listing remains active, leaving this unique piece of Georgetown’s history up for grabs. The story of the Georgetown wall highlights the unexpected quirks that can arise in the world of real estate and showcases the sentimental value some properties hold for their owners.