An Alamo Heights home was just listed for sale at $875,000 — and the sleek Mid-Century Modern dwelling includes an unexplained surprise in its photo gallery.
Among the shots of the house’s interior is one showing a bedroom that inexplicably includes a classic car. Yes, dear reader, that’s a 1964 Oldsmobile 442 inside the house. At first blush, there’s also no apparent sign of how the car got into the space — such as a garage door, for example.
However, a call to listing agent Craig Browning dispelled some of the mystery.
The room with the car inside is a converted garage, and the windows fold away, creating something of a hidden garage door. Browning said the converted garage is just one of the ways in which the home has been creatively repurposed by the current owner to maximize its potential as a short-term rental property.
The owner has never lived at the property, opting instead to use it as an income-generating investment. However, the seller has conducted a sweeping overhaul of updates on the 1958 home, including raising the ceilings and replacing all electrical, plumbing, HVAC and windows.
“He’s basically built a brand new house,” said Browning, adding that it’s hard to find such an updated residence in the coveted Alamo Heights neighborhood for less than $1 million.
The neighborhood is walkable, and the house is close to the Lincoln Heights shopping center, which includes plenty of dining options and a recently renovated H-E-B.
Typically a one-story ranch-style home of that size might have three bedrooms and two baths, Browning said. But due to the seller’s creative repurposing, the structure’s 2,310 square feet have been maximized to include four bedrooms along with three and a half baths.
In the converted garage-turned-bedroom, there’s a door that leads to a fourth bedroom with an adjoining bathroom that was once a flex-use storage space.
Maximizing the number of bedrooms means more rental units for an income-generating property. However, Browning said the converted garage can easily be taken back to its original use for someone who plans to stay longer — and, you know, doesn’t want a car inside one of their bedrooms.
This home is listed by Craig Browning with Phyllis Browning Company.
All photos and listing info via Realtor.com.
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