They Long to be Close to (the Carpenters)

By: Diane Tuman, Content Manager | February 22, 2008

Carpenters’ Home

Years after Karen Carpenter’s death in 1983, fans still flock to her house in Downey, California, to leave flowers, peek in the windows, ring the doorbell and be expected to be given a tour, much to the chagrin of the owners of the home. Who can blame them for being so irritated? Now the owners want to raze the houseto hopefully discourage this constant vigil. Of course, the fans want the city of Downey to declare it a historic landmark, much like Graceland.

The real question is: Would you ever buy a house and intend to live in it if it belonged to a famous person? Unless you knew you could turn it into a revenue stream of sorts, I would imagine buying a famous home is asking for trouble. And, trouble is what they have. Note to self: Do not buy Kurt Cobain’s house.

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Categories: Celebrity Real Estate, Friday Fun, Real Estate, Real Estate Oddities, Zillow

Comments

3 Comments so far

Veronica on February 22, 2008 12:52 pm

Depends if I really liked the house and if dealing with the crazy fans were worth it
Lake Blue Ridge Property on February 25, 2008 6:24 am

Whats a community to do when this happens. Do you leave it abandon? Do you sell tickets who wants that traffic in the neighborhood. Do you rip it down? It must be difficult for the family that lives there and neighbors to if there are bus tours AGH!

Maybe the city should errect a statue in a park and encourage people to come there. Places like Graceland have turned into tourist traps and is that really what the star would have wanted?

I don’t think I buy a stars home myself. Do they disclose that kinda thing when you buy?
Holliston MA Real Estate on February 28, 2008 7:58 pm

I know I wouldn’t want a three ring circus around my home. I am still a big fan of the Carpenters