A dream home for $600K? Why buyers are being warned before stepping inside
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This San Diego property looks like a dream — until you hear what neighbors are saying.
Before you fall in love with the price tag, you’ll want to know the full story. At first glance, it sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.
A spacious four-bedroom house with a pool and beautiful views has just been listed for just under $600,000 in a sought-after San Diego neighborhood.
But according to neighbors and city reports, there’s much more to this story than meets the eye.
Located at 5154 Mariner Drive in the Ocean View Hills suburb, this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house is priced at just $599,999 — well below the neighborhood's median list price of $749,419.
Boasting over 2,100 square feet of space and panoramic views, it’s billed as an “investor’s dream” thanks to its sprawling backyard and potential for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
But there’s a reason for the low price — and it’s not just a bit of "fixer-upper" charm.
According to the listing (and alarmed neighbors), the home is a full-blown hoarder property.
Also read: Sudden charges leave residents reeling—“We had no say”
Photos show interiors packed with trash, dirt, and damage — including boarded-up windows, broken walls, and a filthy, unusable staircase.
The situation has gotten so severe that potential buyers are forbidden from entering the home — the listing warns: "DRIVE BY ONLY."
Even those seriously interested were granted just one three-hour window to view the interior — and the sale is strictly CASH ONLY.
The home’s condition isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Neighboring residents have reported infestations of rodents and insects, severe structural neglect, and major sanitation problems, with city inspectors documenting piles of trash four feet high and a pool brimming with green, stagnant water.
Despite the warnings, the listing is already pending on Realtor.com — proof that some buyers are willing to take on the challenge for the right price.
The backstory goes even deeper. Neighbors have battled with the property's former owner, Lisa Golden, for years.
They've detailed incidents of harassment, animal infestations, and community disruption tied to the deteriorating home.
After repeated court warnings were ignored, a judge ordered the home to be sold under a court-appointed receiver.
Even so, reports suggest that the previous owner has been seen near the property, raising concerns among the surrounding residents.
Read next: Is your dream home a nightmare? How one couple's warning led to a $2.4 million lawsuit
Have you encountered a property hiding shocking issues behind its listing photos? Share your stories and advice in the comments — your experience might save someone else from making an expensive mistake!
Before you fall in love with the price tag, you’ll want to know the full story. At first glance, it sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.
A spacious four-bedroom house with a pool and beautiful views has just been listed for just under $600,000 in a sought-after San Diego neighborhood.
But according to neighbors and city reports, there’s much more to this story than meets the eye.
Located at 5154 Mariner Drive in the Ocean View Hills suburb, this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house is priced at just $599,999 — well below the neighborhood's median list price of $749,419.
Boasting over 2,100 square feet of space and panoramic views, it’s billed as an “investor’s dream” thanks to its sprawling backyard and potential for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
This San Diego property looks like a dream — until you hear what neighbors are saying. Image source: CBS 8 San Diego / YouTube
But there’s a reason for the low price — and it’s not just a bit of "fixer-upper" charm.
According to the listing (and alarmed neighbors), the home is a full-blown hoarder property.
Also read: Sudden charges leave residents reeling—“We had no say”
Photos show interiors packed with trash, dirt, and damage — including boarded-up windows, broken walls, and a filthy, unusable staircase.
The situation has gotten so severe that potential buyers are forbidden from entering the home — the listing warns: "DRIVE BY ONLY."
Even those seriously interested were granted just one three-hour window to view the interior — and the sale is strictly CASH ONLY.
The home’s condition isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Neighboring residents have reported infestations of rodents and insects, severe structural neglect, and major sanitation problems, with city inspectors documenting piles of trash four feet high and a pool brimming with green, stagnant water.
Despite the warnings, the listing is already pending on Realtor.com — proof that some buyers are willing to take on the challenge for the right price.
The backstory goes even deeper. Neighbors have battled with the property's former owner, Lisa Golden, for years.
They've detailed incidents of harassment, animal infestations, and community disruption tied to the deteriorating home.
After repeated court warnings were ignored, a judge ordered the home to be sold under a court-appointed receiver.
Even so, reports suggest that the previous owner has been seen near the property, raising concerns among the surrounding residents.
Read next: Is your dream home a nightmare? How one couple's warning led to a $2.4 million lawsuit
