Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Green Daily, USA
Buy a house, get a Prius for free
Click above for more high-res shots of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring
There is more than just the high price for a gallon of gasoline which is weighing heavily on the nation's economy. The housing slump has been hitting hard as well, with many homes sitting unsold for much longer periods and selling for significantly less money than just a few years back. So, considering these two markets are both undergoing similar pains, why not combine the two and offer a fuel-sipper with the purchase of a high-priced home? That is what two Maryland women have decided to do by offering to give away a Toyota Prius with their $595,000 three-bedroom colonial built 1907 and located in Easton, Maryland. The mother and daughter duo had planned to sell the home after making various improvements, as they have done in the past. Now that it is complete, though, it is sitting on the market.
"We're losing money on the house, and the Prius only adds to losing money, but we also realize it's time we really got to sell the house," says Catherine Poe, the owner. She says she would be willing to keep the Prius and reduce the house accordingly, but hopes to get more attention with the car. Considering that we've found the story interesting enough to post, we'd imagine her strategy has proved successful.
Gallery: Review: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring
[Source: CNN via GM Inside News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
noz 3:08AM (7/22/2008)
Only an idiot would pay that much for a house....but then again, there are ALOT of idiots out there.
Reply
Phil L. 8:49AM (7/22/2008)
noz -
You must not be familiar with the Baltimore/Washington DC area. It's surprising how quickly you can spend $600K, and not get anything particularly special.
That said, the Prius makes sense in this case.
This house is on Maryland's Eastern Shore (i.e., on the other side of the Chespeake Bay).
It's a beautiful area - but there are few jobs available in that area that can fund a sizeable mortgage. So many people (including a co-worker of mine who lives on Kent Island) make their daily trek across the Bay Bridge to higher-paying jobs close to the city.
The included Prius, an idea long-haul driver, is simply tangible evidence that ownership of this house will require a hefty commute for most folks.
This house isn't selling because we are re-thinking the value of
separating home and work by long stretches of pavement.
.
Reply
Ernie 3:33PM (7/23/2008)
I have a better idea. Buy a house close to work, and *sell* your car.
Because I did that, this is how much I don't spend every month:
$90 for insurance
$160 for gas
$540 for a new prius.
Wow. Suddenly, I can afford a bigger mortgage!
Phil L. 2:05PM (8/05/2008)
Ernie -
I agree with your sentiment - but it often doesn't work in urban areas (I live in the Washington DC/Baltimore corridor).
Many houses near business areas are in rotten neighborhoods, and have schools I won't inflict on my children. And many good neighborhoods have no decent-paying industries nearby.
Yes, it's a function of how the US has developed our cities (for a counterpoint, see most anyplace in Europe). But we're stuck with it for now.
One upside to increased gas prices: I predict schools will improve in such areas over time.
Reply