Michael Vick's home fails to sell at auction - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 12-15-2007, 09:00 PM

Vick Property Fails to Sell at Auction
By LARRY O'DELL,Associated Press
Posted: 2007-12-15 16:55:53
SURRY, Va. (AP) - Maybe it was the inescapable mind's-eye visions of the brutality inflicted on dogs in the rugged wooded area behind the fence. Or maybe it was the glare of the media spotlight.

Something kept Michael Vick's former dogfighting headquarters from selling at auction Saturday, disappointing a real estate developer who has about $500,000 tied up in the place.

"I didn't see the people in the crowd I thought we needed," Wilbur Ray Todd Jr. said after rejecting the only serious bid - $747,000, the property's assessed value for real estate tax purposes.

Todd said he thought the 15-acre country estate in rural southeastern Virginia was worth at least $1 million, even without "the celebrity factor." He now plans to list the house for a more conventional sale.

Vick is serving a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy. The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three co-defendants raised pit bulls and trained them for fighting in the area behind a 4,600-square-foot white brick house. Several dogs that did not perform well in test fights were executed.

Facing financial ruin, Vick sold the property to Todd for the bargain price of $450,000. The disgraced NFL star has lost millions in endorsement deals and will lose the final $71 million of his Falcons contract. He also might have to repay the team nearly $20 million, and he's being sued by three banks for allegedly defaulting on nearly $6 million in loans.

Todd spent about $50,000 sprucing up the place, which had been trashed by burglars and looters. People arriving for the auction noticed the most recent addition: a front-yard flag pole, with a Falcons flag rippling in the cold wind.

"It was the finishing touch," Todd said.

A container for donations to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was placed at the front of the driveway, and a small concession stand offered burgers, hot dogs and drinks, with proceeds going to the SPCA.

About 70 people packed the home's den and kitchen for the auction, but only six registered as possible bidders. Todd and real estate agent Kyle Thomas Hause Jr. clearly had hoped that despite the dogfighting conviction, the Vick name would help sell the house.

"This is the famous Michael Vick house!" Hause declared as he opened the auction.

A flier distributed at three open houses over the past week, and again Saturday, described the 1915 Moonlight Road property as "formerly owned by famous NFL football star Michael Vick."

Todd said he didn't think potential bidders were deterred by the property's infamous history. More likely, he said, they didn't want the attention they would get at a public auction on such a high-profile property.

Vick paid about $34,000 for the land in 2002 and had the house built in 2003. Behind the house and a full-size basketball court, partly obscured by a fence, are four outbuildings and dozens of dog cages.

According to court papers, some of the dogfights were held on the second floor of one of the outbuildings. There are other remnants of Vick's "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting enterprise, including a metal pole and chain that was used to restrain pit bulls.

The house has two master suites and a media room with wet bar. A double-sided gas fireplace separates the bathroom from the bedroom in the upstairs master suite.

Other amenities include jetted tubs, freshly refinished hardwood floors, a two-car garage and an expansive kitchen with center island, granite countertops and built-in stainless steel appliances.

The bidding on the house, land and outbuildings started Saturday at $345,000. After considerable coaxing by Hause, someone in the crowd indicated with a scratch of the nose that he would pay $747,000. Hause, who later said the bidder wanted to remain anonymous, and Todd retreated to another room for about five minutes and came back with the answer: No deal.

Todd said later that the $250,000 profit he would have made simply wasn't enough.

"By the time you pay a commission and taxes, it gets eaten up real quick," he said.

If he can't do better in a conventional sale, Todd said, he has other ideas for the property.

"We've talked about a bed-and-breakfast," he said. "All the bedrooms have their own bathroom, and we could incorporate the kennels in the back: Bring your pet."

freshprinceofLA · 12-16-2007, 12:39 AM

Just thinking about those poor dogs suffering on Vicks property makes me sick the damn thing should be torn down

catlover79 · 12-16-2007, 12:41 AM

I'm not surprised a bit.

TJL · 12-16-2007, 05:32 AM

"celebrity factor."

That's funny.

Sorry, but if I was a real estate investor with some money burning a hole in my pocket, I don't think I'd be bidding on a pet cematary.

Bulldoze the place and turn it into an animal sanctuary.

*ClassicPinUp* · 12-16-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshprinceofLA

Just thinking about those poor dogs suffering on Vicks property makes me sick the damn thing should be torn down

catlover79 · 12-16-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

"celebrity factor."

That's funny.

Sorry, but if I was a real estate investor with some money burning a hole in my pocket, I don't think I'd be bidding on a pet cematary.

Bulldoze the place and turn it into an animal sanctuary.

That's a good idea.

ABlairican Pie · 12-16-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm hearing "The Evil That Men Do" by Iron Maiden now. How fitting.

"The evil that men do lives on..."

Janice · 12-16-2007, 02:17 PM

Not surprising. I wouldn't live in that house of horrors if they gave it to me.

OH Nuts! · 12-16-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Not surprising. I wouldn't live in that house of horrors if they gave it to me.

I'm with you. He's getting his payback now. What goes around comes around.

ABlairican Pie · 12-16-2007, 04:14 PM

Speaking of songs, here's one that fits Vick:

"I Don't Wanna Be Buried In a Pet Cemetary" by The Ramones.

-STEFFY- · 12-16-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Vick Property Fails to Sell at Auction

Burn, baby burn!

Burn it down!

snl 70s show fan · 12-17-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Not surprising. I wouldn't live in that house of horrors if they gave it to me.

nether would i

Ireneparalegal · 12-17-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Speaking of songs, here's one that fits Vick:

"I Don't Wanna Be Buried In a Pet Cemetary" by The Ramones.

ABlairican Pie · 12-17-2007, 01:36 AM

Two more songs:

This House Is On Fire by AC/DC

Burning Down the House by the Talking Heads

12-15-2007, 09:00 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Michael Vick's home fails to sell at auction Vick Property Fails to Sell at Auction By LARRY O'DELL,Associated Press Posted: 2007-12-15 16:55:53 SURRY, Va. (AP) - Maybe it was the inescapable mind's-eye visions of the brutality inflicted on dogs in the rugged wooded area behind the fence. Or maybe it was the glare of the media spotlight. Something kept Michael Vick's former dogfighting headquarters from selling at auction Saturday, disappointing a real estate developer who has about $500,000 tied up in the place. "I didn't see the people in the crowd I thought we needed," Wilbur Ray Todd Jr. said after rejecting the only serious bid - $747,000, the property's assessed value for real estate tax purposes. Todd said he thought the 15-acre country estate in rural southeastern Virginia was worth at least $1 million, even without "the celebrity factor." He now plans to list the house for a more conventional sale. Vick is serving a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy. The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three co-defendants raised pit bulls and trained them for fighting in the area behind a 4,600-square-foot white brick house. Several dogs that did not perform well in test fights were executed. Facing financial ruin, Vick sold the property to Todd for the bargain price of $450,000. The disgraced NFL star has lost millions in endorsement deals and will lose the final $71 million of his Falcons contract. He also might have to repay the team nearly $20 million, and he's being sued by three banks for allegedly defaulting on nearly $6 million in loans. Todd spent about $50,000 sprucing up the place, which had been trashed by burglars and looters. People arriving for the auction noticed the most recent addition: a front-yard flag pole, with a Falcons flag rippling in the cold wind. "It was the finishing touch," Todd said. A container for donations to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was placed at the front of the driveway, and a small concession stand offered burgers, hot dogs and drinks, with proceeds going to the SPCA. About 70 people packed the home's den and kitchen for the auction, but only six registered as possible bidders. Todd and real estate agent Kyle Thomas Hause Jr. clearly had hoped that despite the dogfighting conviction, the Vick name would help sell the house. "This is the famous Michael Vick house!" Hause declared as he opened the auction. A flier distributed at three open houses over the past week, and again Saturday, described the 1915 Moonlight Road property as "formerly owned by famous NFL football star Michael Vick." Todd said he didn't think potential bidders were deterred by the property's infamous history. More likely, he said, they didn't want the attention they would get at a public auction on such a high-profile property. Vick paid about $34,000 for the land in 2002 and had the house built in 2003. Behind the house and a full-size basketball court, partly obscured by a fence, are four outbuildings and dozens of dog cages. According to court papers, some of the dogfights were held on the second floor of one of the outbuildings. There are other remnants of Vick's "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting enterprise, including a metal pole and chain that was used to restrain pit bulls. The house has two master suites and a media room with wet bar. A double-sided gas fireplace separates the bathroom from the bedroom in the upstairs master suite. Other amenities include jetted tubs, freshly refinished hardwood floors, a two-car garage and an expansive kitchen with center island, granite countertops and built-in stainless steel appliances. The bidding on the house, land and outbuildings started Saturday at $345,000. After considerable coaxing by Hause, someone in the crowd indicated with a scratch of the nose that he would pay $747,000. Hause, who later said the bidder wanted to remain anonymous, and Todd retreated to another room for about five minutes and came back with the answer: No deal. Todd said later that the $250,000 profit he would have made simply wasn't enough. "By the time you pay a commission and taxes, it gets eaten up real quick," he said. If he can't do better in a conventional sale, Todd said, he has other ideas for the property. "We've talked about a bed-and-breakfast," he said. "All the bedrooms have their own bathroom, and we could incorporate the kennels in the back: Bring your pet."
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12-16-2007, 12:39 AM	#2
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	Just thinking about those poor dogs suffering on Vicks property makes me sick the damn thing should be torn down
	__________________ My favorite show is... Who's the boss? #2 Three's Company #3 Moonlighting RELEASE ALL SEASONS OF WHO'S THE BOSS? ON DVD Watch ION at 9:00 to 10:00 I <3 SAMANTHA! RAIDERS SUCK R.I.P. PAC & BIG we miss yall

12-16-2007, 12:41 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I'm not surprised a bit.
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12-16-2007, 05:32 AM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	"celebrity factor." That's funny. Sorry, but if I was a real estate investor with some money burning a hole in my pocket, I don't think I'd be bidding on a pet cematary. Bulldoze the place and turn it into an animal sanctuary.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

12-16-2007, 01:50 PM	#7
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Vick is sick. I'm hearing "The Evil That Men Do" by Iron Maiden now. How fitting. "The evil that men do lives on..."
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

12-16-2007, 02:17 PM	#8
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Not surprising. I wouldn't live in that house of horrors if they gave it to me.

12-16-2007, 04:14 PM	#10
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Speaking of songs, here's one that fits Vick: "I Don't Wanna Be Buried In a Pet Cemetary" by The Ramones.

12-17-2007, 01:36 AM	#14
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Two more songs: This House Is On Fire by AC/DC Burning Down the House by the Talking Heads