On July 9, Diane Shaw of First Weber Group hosted an open house to showcase the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in North Liberty, Wisconsin.
"Shaw estimates that more than 60 people came to see it in the first hour." They came and came. Immediately, there were offers. A lot of people said, 'Oh, that looks like a Hobbit house.'
The 1970s-era domed home first hit the market with a listing price of $349,900. The home is currently pending sale, according to the Realtor.com® website.
The 1,980-square-foot home on 21 acres was built in 1976 for the sellers, who are the home's only occupants. They worked with a builder who had already constructed a dome home in the neighbourhood.
Shaw explained, "They went to look at it and then went to South Dakota to look at other domed homes." Then they decided to build one ...... because they thought such a home would be more efficient in terms of heating and cooling.
The striking window design may look like pointed ears, but it's actually a peaked covering that shades the sun and directs snow away from the windows - solving a common dilemma with curved rooflines.
The basement is a big draw; in many homes, the basement can be a dark spot. The walk-out design boasts larger windows than the rest of the house.
"It was a much brighter room than upstairs," Shaw says." There's more light coming in."
The master bedroom is on the main level, with two bedrooms and a loft on the upper level that can be used as an office.
A new roof was recently installed and there is a two-car detached garage.
The arable acreage along the Baraboo River and the setting (ideal for fishing and kayaking) combine to make this an idyllic property. There is even room for expansion. In fact, the buyer plans to build a second house and rent out the dome as an Airbnb.
"My first thought was to market it to investors, Airbnb and others," Shaw says.
As it turns out, her hunch was right.
"Only one person (who expressed interest in buying) intends to live there himself," she said.
North Freedom is close to a state park and a railway museum. It's a 10-minute drive from Baraboo, a 20-minute drive from the Wisconsin Dells and not far from area wineries.
Shaw adds, "It will be a true sanctuary for the next owner."
