Yesterday, investigative reporter Tolly Taylor tweeted an alarming video of an unoccupied beachfront home in North Carolina being swept out to sea, and the clip quickly started spreading like wildfire.
An unoccupied house on stilts in Rodanthe, North Carolina, as it collapses into the ocean this afternoon. Was worth $381,200 according to Zillow.
Taylor wrote, "An unoccupied house on stilts in Rodanthe, North Carolina, as it collapses into the ocean this afternoon. Was worth $381,200 according to Zillow."
In the clip, as a wave comes in to shore, the stilts supporting the beachfront property collapse and the house drifts into the ocean. Taylor has also done extensive reporting on similar problems in Rhode Island, which is well worth checking out.
In the comments, there was quite a debate over whether climate change or uncontrolled coastal erosion is to blame for the destruction of this home. Either way, photos from years past appear to show the house was originally built further back from the water.
@TollyTaylor For anyone wondering "why they built so close to the ocean?", they didn't. When thr house was built in 1980, not many folks were talking about climate change, and the house was more than a football field from the ocean
And since this is Twitter, the house quickly became a meme.
@TollyTaylor Zillow listing: How it started How it ended 😬
I mean, I think we've all seen a Zillow listing or two for a "fixer upper" like this.
@TollyTaylor @harrietprebble Zillow be like: New House Boat for first time buyers. Clear views of the ocean. Can be relocated at short notice. Comes with ropes at additional cost. $400,000.
And it is quite reminiscent of the house where the Baudelaires' Aunt Josephine lived.
@TollyTaylor Anyone else immediately think of A Series of Unfortunate Events
Others speculated on the home's potential future as a "unique" Airbnb.
@rwa_ @TollyTaylor $200 cleaning fee, must remove water and trash upon checkout
Nature is healing.
"Upon reaching maturity, the adult investment properties return to the ocean to spawn. In three months, these beaches will be dotted with their bungalow offspring, ready to begin thr process anew." https://t.co/56g6WHKC5l
This homeowner has a POINT.
Hi homeowner here, this is NOT funny. Houses only do this when they are anxious or under duress https://t.co/HQIRQuqchh
Kinda seems like the algorithm got this one wrong.
Proving once again that Zillow prices are bullshit. https://t.co/jnWPAwTD9b
It hurts to see someone else living my impossible millennial dream of maybe, just maybe, owning my own home one day.
Imagine how happy the hermit crab that gets the house will be https://t.co/2ncMnNOEaz
It's almost like it's a metaphor for something...
And that's what you need to know about housing market crisis 2022 https://t.co/a1CR0tusnH