Derelict $50K ‘Squatter House’ in Philadelphia Goes Viral With Wild Listing Photos

A run-down Philadelphia townhouse that’s on the market for just $50,000 has gone viral thanks to its bizarre listing photos—and even stranger description.

At first glance, the three-bedroom, one-bathroom property might seem like a real estate steal, offering ample space for a fraction of Philadelphia’s $279,000 median home listing price.

But upon closer inspection, the listing reveals several very concerning catches—not the least of which is that the property comes complete with a squatter, who the buyer must take full responsibility for, according to the home’s description.

Add to that the baffling images of the property, and the listing has quickly become a viral sensation—particularly on Reddit, where it was shared in a thread with the title: “What’s up with these pics? Did the police make this listing?”

Said “pics” reveal a rather horrifying glimpse inside the crumbling home.

The interior is in a sorry state of disrepair, compete with peeling plaster, light fixtures removed, and piles of wood lying about the two-level living space connected by a steep staircase, with what looks like a roll of toilet paper balanced on the railing.

Parts of the ceiling appear to have suffered leaks and have peeling paint. Meanwhile, odd items are littered about, such as a piece of rope, prompting one commenter to ask if it was a “noose.” (Others thought it was a dog toy.)

Then, of course, there is the appearance of several police officers who pop up in a number of the listing photos, sparking much speculation from Reddit users about why they were in the home at the time the listing photos were taken.

“Crime scene is the new farmhouse,” one commenter joked.

‘Active squatter property’

The strange and shocking listing photos are matched only by the truly one-of-a-kind caveat in the description, which warns, “This is an active squatter property. Property is being sold sight unseen, no showings can be arranged under any circumstances. Drive by only. Approach the home and squatter at your own risk – seller assumes no liability.”

The listing adds ominously, “Buyer is responsible for everything in the home including the squatter.”

One Reddit commenter wondered, understandably, “So the buyer is responsible for feeding the squatter? Sort of like a pet that comes with the house?”

Another added, “In today’s economy, this is a steal, literally.”

‘Common in Philadelphia’

“The photos were taken by the owner when she was originally contemplating selling the home,” says listing agent Larry Levin, with Realty Mark Huntingdon Valley. “She went there to check on it and discovered the squatter and called the police.”

As for the mention of the squatter, dealing with a situation like this in a house on the market is nothing new, Levin says.

“It’s pretty common in Philadelphia,” he explains, adding that removing a squatter, with no lease and no paperwork, actually creates an even lengthier court process.

Evicting an uninvited occupant can take between “four to 12 months” and cost between “$7,000 and $12,000,” Levin estimates. He says the owner did the math and decided it would be easier to sell, even at a lower price than she’d wanted.

Built in 1915, the townhouse itself has three bedrooms, one bath, over 932 square feet. The building also includes an unfinished basement and currently has no heating or cooling source. Investors would really be embarking on a full gut renovation to get the home back to working order as a rental or a flip.

Interested buyers

Despite the disturbing photos and the listing description, which lays out all the challenges with the squatter, Levin says he’s gotten calls already from interested buyers.

“They weigh the risk with the purchase price to renovate it, sight unseen,” he says of potential buyers. “They do the numbers and determine if they think that is a worthwhile acquisition cost to offset the risk.”