I was visiting semi-distant relatives in England who'd never been to the states. One of their first questions (after pleasantries): "Does everyone in America live in a house like in Home Alone?" posted by leotrotsky at 9:54 PM on May 19, 2011
Nice house, if you don't mind living next to the Southbend Shovel Slayer. Back in '58 he murdered his whole family and half the people on the block with his snow shovel. There was never enough evidence to convict. Might want to mention that fact to the realtor while you're negotiating the price. posted by MrFTBN at 10:03 PM on May 19, 2011 [16 favorites]
Dude considering the size of that house, that seems fine.
Seriously, Home Alone was my first nugget of class conciousness. You'd see the rich movies in movies and cartoons, but then they were cartoonishly rich or I didn't notice it. Home Alone was the first time I remember thinking " Damn, that's a big, nice house, and they're taking a huge vacation? Look at all the stuff they have! What do the parents do for a living? That kid gets to do whatever he wants! I've don't know anyone with a house like that, why don't we have a house like that?"
I missed a good 45 mins of the movie thinking about this. posted by The Whelk at 10:17 PM on May 19, 2011 [24 favorites]
I live around the corner from the Dietrichson House from "Double Indemnity," and we were wondering the other day whether or not "being featured in a famous movie" was actually compelling enough to increase the value of the property.
I think it would be interesting to see a mock-up of an actuarial table breaking down various "famous" properties by things like:
1. Popularity of fim
2. Prominence of the property within the film (how strongly it is associated with the movie / figures into the plot)
3. Real value of the property (same house, same neighborhood, but not famous, etc.)
If you think $2.4 million for that house is a lot, there are plenty of other houses you shouldn't look at. Try anything in Atherton, CA, for example. posted by tylerkaraszewski at 10:24 PM on May 19, 2011
There exists a photo of me on the steps of Torrence High School, AKA Sunnydale High. posted by The Whelk at 10:33 PM on May 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
The "neighborhood" of suburbs in which this house is located is called Chicago's North Shore. It was true, however, that the movie portrayed it as likely within Chicago, with Chicago police uniforms and squad car livery. posted by dhartung at 10:48 PM on May 19, 2011
I've allllways wanted that house. I'm a couple million dollars short though... posted by littlesq at 11:07 PM on May 19, 2011
Here's what you get for $2.5m in Vancouver BC! posted by makonan at 11:16 PM on May 19, 2011
Having grown up in the Chicago suburbs, that seems par for the course, especially for Winnetka. So much for like, following in your parents footsteps or whatever. posted by MarvinTheCat at 11:18 PM on May 19, 2011
Winnetka is pretty damn "exclusive".
I'm pretty sure "Risky Business" was filmed there...as was "The Breakfast Club"...at New Trier High School (school motto: "Our school REALLY is better than yours").
2.4M...unreachable for more than 99% of people...sounds like winnetka, alright. posted by hal_c_on at 11:19 PM on May 19, 2011
Oh man, I've pretty much aspired to owning a house just like the Home Alone house ever since I saw the film at age 7.
I also aspired to marrying Macaulay Culkin, but I eventually gave up on that one. posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:35 PM on May 19, 2011
I also aspired to marrying Macaulay Culkin, but I eventually gave up on that one.
Yep, the only thing "remarkable" about this sale is the fact that the house was in a movie. The price is average for the neighborhood. posted by me3dia at 11:56 PM on May 19, 2011
So the housing bubble is all patched up, huh? posted by crapmatic at 12:06 AM on May 20, 2011
I'd pay 2.4 mil for a box of unicorn boners but not for the (be still my beating heart) "Home Alone" house. Plus it's in Winnetka. Fuck that place in the eye. posted by KevinSkomsvold at 1:05 AM on May 20, 2011
Wow. "House for sale." House... For... Sale... It's amazing the things you see on the internet. posted by seanyboy at 1:06 AM on May 20, 2011
The Ghostbusters firehouse is set to be shuttered.
That needs to be an FPP. It's a tragedy - that's a landmark. posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 1:07 AM on May 20, 2011
I disagree, Lovecraft. I think that building should be condemned. There's serious metal fatigue in all the load bearing members, the wiring is sub-standard, it's completely inadequate for their power needs, and the neighborhood is like a demilitarized zone. (/obligatory) posted by No-sword at 4:01 AM on May 20, 2011 [14 favorites]
Is this house blue, like Pepsi Blue? I understand that the poster is not the seller, but. posted by theora55 at 8:18 AM on May 20, 2011
No-sword: "I disagree, Lovecraft. I think that building should be condemned. There's serious metal fatigue in all the load bearing members, the wiring is sub-standard, it's completely inadequate for their power needs, and the neighborhood is like a demilitarized zone. (/obligatory)"
Sure, but the pole still works. posted by Chrysostom at 8:27 AM on May 20, 2011
Everyone has a triple morgage these days. posted by The Whelk at 8:33 AM on May 20, 2011
Ha. When I lived in Chicago this was the # 1 destination when any of my wife's family came to visit. I must have driven various in-laws there on 4 or 5 different occasions. In fact those north suburbs are like a John Hughes movie tour.
The house has a no parking sign right in front of it, so I imagine that we weren't the only ones bringing guests to the home alone house. posted by pickinganameismuchharderthanihadanticipated at 11:12 AM on May 20, 2011
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posted by leotrotsky at 9:54 PM on May 19, 2011