Unsightly abodes and peculiar properties can be found all over the world-from the Toilet house in South Korea, to the guitar-shaped home in Fayetteville, Georgia. There’s even a home in England whose interior is an astoundingly accurate replica of the Starship Enterprise.

Neighbors either love or revile unique properties like these, while visitors stop in bus loads to gawk at them.

What’s the appeal for homeowners to build garish or unusual structures? most real estate agents know that outlandish homes are a difficult sell, so why build them in the first place? Is it strictly for the attention? or perhaps it’s a simple case of artistic expression and a love of architecture.

Home construction is very much an art form, though these days most homes on the block are painted with the same brush. Craftsmans, Ranchers and the occasional Tudor line our tree-lined residential streets. when a new property comes along that goes against the style precedent already set in the area, it can often spark resentment and bemused curiosity.

Most neighbors see a house made out of beer cans as something that will take away from their own property values. And indeed it’s true that the value of an unusual structure such as a Star Trek themed home, a spaceship-shaped house, or a home built as an homage to the Flintstones can be tricky to assess. There are even homes constructed entirely out of found items and garbage, so their aesthetic appeal is largely debated. how does one evaluate the worth of these structures if their charm is so subjective?

In terms of economics, it’s a terrible idea to build a house that’s shaped like a guitar, a shoe, a dog, or appears to be upside down.

When you’re trying to sell a unique property, you’re only going to appeal to a very select group of buyers. Not everyone wants an eccentric house, so these homes can remain on the market for a very long time, making neighbors nervous about how their own properties will fare when it comes time to sell.

Perhaps a less cynical way to look at these homes is to consider the time and energy that went into constructing these labors of love (or obsession). For instance, the infamous Beer can house took nearly 40,000 cans and 18 years worth of beer drinking for John Milkovisch to complete his masterpiece.

The Winchester Mystery House in California was built by Sarah Winchester over a 38 year period, and includes stairs that go nowhere, has over 40 fireplaces, 160 rooms, and three elevators. It is rumored that construction on the house became an obsession spurred on by a visit with a psychic who told Sarah that she was cursed, and would die if she ever stopped adding onto the house. the construction finally stopped when Sarah passed away at the age of 83.

In other cases, artists turn their houses into the ultimate canvass for a lifetime of work, adding sculptures and murals to their homes as way to truly live and breathe their art.

While obsession is never a good thing, it is admirable to see people who aren’t afraid to stand out. they have creativity flowing through their veins, and have a particular story they need to tell through the architecture of their homes. As our most sacred spaces, it makes sense to treat one’s home as a shrine to whatever it is that one loves. As a realtor, these unique homes can present an enormous challenge in terms of marketing and pricing, while for nearby residents, these homes encroach on the established aesthetic of the entire neighborhood. As a person however with an appreciation for passion and individuality, these homes bring back a sense of fun and adventure to the world of home building and decor. There’s a touch of whimsy among these homeowners, which is a trait this world can definitely use more of.

The Strange & Wonderful World of Weird Real Estate