The Iconic ‘Home Alone’ House Finds a Buyer in Record Time (Photos)

In a remarkable turn of events, the legendary ‘Home Alone’ house has found a buyer just one week after hitting the market. Listed at $5.25 million, the 9,126-square-foot property in Winnetka, Illinois, has quickly gone under contract, much to the anticipation of real estate experts.

Dawn McKenna Group of Coldwell Banker Realty managed the listing of this stunning home, known for its impressive size and prime location. Real estate agent Cara Ameer, who has a personal connection to the area, was unsurprised by the rapid sale. Ameer highlights the community’s appeal, noting its excellent schools, beautiful beaches, parks, and a charming downtown filled with shops and restaurants as key factors that attract buyers.

The home’s fame from the beloved holiday classic ‘Home Alone’ also plays a significant role in its desirability. “The house is well priced for its size and condition,” Ameer remarks. “The celebrity factor of this home, being featured in such a popular and legendary movie, adds to the overall value. It’s one of those homes people want to drive by if they know the movie and the area where it was filmed.”

Despite its cinematic history, the interior of the five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence has undergone extensive renovations since its silver screen debut. A 2018 makeover introduced a gourmet kitchen, a second family room, an in-home basketball court, and a state-of-the-art movie theater, making the home both luxurious and modern.

This marks only the second time the famous house at 671 Lincoln Ave. has been listed for sale since ‘Home Alone’ was filmed. It previously sold for $1.58 million in 2012, which was below its $2.4 million asking price at that time. The current sale price remains undisclosed, but there is speculation it could exceed the list price given its iconic status.

Real estate agent Jason Gelios believes the home will sell for or above its asking price. “Any time you have a famous name or movie associated with a property, it positively affects the value,” Gelios explains. “The only reason a famous property would not sell for asking price is if it’s in poor condition. That’s clearly not the case with the ‘Home Alone’ house.”

As listing photos show, the house is in pristine condition, reinforcing the belief that it will fetch a premium price. Sam Fitz-Simon, a real estate agent from San Francisco, anticipated strong interest in the property, stating, “I would expect the home to sell for a premium to an investor who views it more like an art piece than a home.”

Currently marked as contingent, the sale is pending certain conditions being met by the buyer and/or seller before it can close. These contingencies can include home inspections, attorney reviews, buyer financing, appraisals, and title searches.

The question remains: will this sale conclude smoothly, or will there be an unexpected twist leading the house back to the market? As fans and real estate watchers wait in suspense, the saga of the ‘Home Alone’ house continues to captivate.