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Breaking Bad House Hits the Market at $4 Million
The unassuming suburban residence that served as the home of Walter White in the iconic series Breaking Bad is currently listed for sale at a price of $4 million, a figure that is nearly ten times higher than the median home price in its neighborhood.
This ranch-style property, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a backyard swimming pool, all of which became pivotal backdrops throughout the series. According to real estate data from Zillow, the average home price in the area is approximately $421,000.
Owner Joanne Quintana expressed that the house’s fame among fans of the show, while boosting its marketability, has also had a detrimental impact on her family’s peace and well-being. “This was our family home from 1973, almost 52 years,” she shared with local news outlet KOB4. “We’re walking away with just our memories. It’s time to move on. We’re done. There’s no reason to fight any more.”
Breaking Bad’s production team first approached the Quintana family in 2006, seeking permission to use the house for filming. “They introduced themselves and handed my mother a card and said, ‘We would like to use your house for a pilot’,” Quintana recalled.
Throughout the show’s five-season run from 2008 to 2013, the house’s exterior and backyard were prominently featured, though the interior scenes were filmed elsewhere. The series chronicles the transformation of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to methamphetamine production after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Since the show’s premiere, the property has attracted numerous fans, leading to unwanted disruptions to the family’s life. Quintana mentioned that around 300 cars pass by the house on a daily basis, noting an incident in 2015 when fans relentlessly attempted to reenact a memorable scene in which White throws a pizza onto the roof.
Quintana’s late mother, Fran Padilla, expressed her frustration with the situation, stating, “We’ve had pizzas on our roof. We’ve had pizzas on our driveway; pizzas until we’re sick of looking at pizzas,” as reported by NPR.
In response to the persistent disturbances, Breaking Bad’s creator Vince Gilligan publicly urged fans to respect the family’s privacy. “There is nothing original or funny or cool about throwing a pizza on this lady’s roof,” he remarked.
Following alarming incidents, including one in which a fan left a package addressed to Walter White on the doorstep, Quintana and her siblings decided to enhance security measures by installing a fence. “My brothers said, that’s it, we’re done, fence is going up,” Quintana stated. “That’s too close for comfort.”
The property’s asking price suggests a shift in its future role—from a family home to a potential tourist attraction or iconic site connected to the series. Quintana expressed hope that the new owners would cater to fans’ desires, saying, “I hope they make it what the fans want. They want a B&B. They want a museum. They want access to it. Go for it!”
Source
www.theguardian.com