A few months after being toppled by a towering pine tree, a Monrovia home — or what’s left of it — is up for grabs for $499,999. The humble bungalow made headlines when it was crushed by a tree in May with two renters and two dogs inside. None were injured, but the tree took out their car, a fence and most of the roof. What’s left of the property looks like a postapocalyptic set piece complete with missing walls, loose wires and no ceilings.
The back door, which the renters escaped through after the tree came down, still stands. Monrovia rules state that demolitions on properties more than 50 years old require a review. But since the house was destroyed by an act of God, a review isn’t required, according to Wheeler. So house-hunters can buy what’s left of the home and fix it up without dealing with some of the red tape typically required during rebuilds.