Real Estate Bargain: Pot Houses

Elk Grove, CA, with a Zillow Home Value Index (Zindex) of $292,500 at this writing, seems to have attracted a fair share of real estate known as pot houses or, indoor marijuana farms, according to an article in the San Jose Mercury News.

In 2007, authorities busted 3,713 indoor marijuana houses in the United States, 590 in California, according to DEA figures.

Evidently, occupants jerryrig the homes with growing systems to be a year-round harvesting operation for marijuana. Walls are ripped out, sprinkler systems installed, special lighting and electrical support rigged and chemicals and fertilizer brought in. As a result, the homes’ structural systems becomes compromised and the walls and foundation are exposed to possible mold contamination.

So, if you’re looking for homes for sale and see a real estate deal too good to be true, make sure you get the full disclosure of the home or hire an expert to sniff out the possibility that a home had a dual purpose.