Burned shell of a home sells for more than $900,000

The home landed six cash offers, all over the asking price

SAN JOSE » The fire-ravaged house that caused a stir with its high price tag last week has sold for more than $900,000 — at least $100,000 over its asking price.

The burned-out shell of a home on Bird Avenue in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood went on the market Thursday for $799,000 and the listing quickly made the rounds on social media, with many surprised that the unlivable home could demand such a high price. But potential buyers were hardly shocked, and swooped in on the property. After less than a week on the market, it has a new owner.

“People want to live in a great neighborhood,” said listing agent Holly Barr of the Sereno Group, who pre- viously said she expected whoever bought the house to tear it down and build their dream home on the lot.

It’s not the first time a decrepit house has sold for top dollar in the Bay Area’s super- charged housing market. A condemned home in Fremont sold for $1.2million late last month.

The Bird Avenue sale is pending, and should close in about 10 days, Barr said. She said she could not reveal the exact price the house fetched until the sale is final.

Therewas no lack of interest in the property. Barr received six offers— all higher than the asking price, and all cash.

The 1,066 square- foot home, which was all but destroyed in a fire two years ago, sits on a valuable 5,850- square-foot lot in a prime location a mile fromthe area where Google plans to build a new campus. Several houses on that street recently sold for $1.6 million.