One For the Fraud Files?

Update:

A reader last summer sent in some details about an open house he visited in Sonoma 660 East MacArthur












The house at that time was priced at $1,395,000 and apparently it is a 1950 cottage turn cliche. He said it was remodeled with all the cliches we have come to expect. The granite countertops, the pottery barn colors and yadda yadda yadda... but there certainly were no solid gold toilets or bathtubs and he said what he found most interesting is what Zillow had to say about it.

Zillow Sez:
660 E Macarthur St, Sonoma, CA 95476
Zillow Estimate: $669,320


660 East MacArthur's Market Value Change for 1 yr.










Sales History:
12/24/06: $1,200,000
07/12/2006: $1,258,000
12/30/2005: $600,000
10/18/2005: $712,500

hmmm... in October 2005 this house was sold for $712k

Then sold two months later 12/05 for $600k.
$112,500k LESS just two months later... WTF?

Then a mere 6 months later it was up for sale again with an asking price of $1,395,000 and it sold for $1,258,000... 07/06

... and then just 1 month after the $1,258,000 sale it was put up for sale again with the same realty company, (Morgan Lane) low and behold, only the listing agents and the price changed. Listing price was $1,284,500

Then reported by SFGATE in their December 24th 2006 Homes sold report

660 Macarthur again changed hands... 12/06 going down $84,500

Homes sold week of: Sunday, December 24, 2006
660 East MacArthur Street $1,200,000,

Look at the zillow valuations...
January 2002 Value: $221k
January 2003 Value: $280k
January 2004 Value: $300k
January 2005 Value: $400k
August 2006 Value: $669,320


You have GOT to be kidding!!!

Tax Assessment History: 2004
Property tax: $2,218
Assessed value bldgs: $105,939
Assessed value land: + $44,606

Total assessed value: = $150,545

Something is not passing the smell test...

Sonoma House