White-painted house to buy or rent

“Your claimed home, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, was updated.” That’s the email note I received yesterday from the Zillow online real estate database.

That note probably came my way because I had fun with Zillow in a Nov. 14 column: It noted Zillow’s statement that the White House has three bedrooms, two baths, a market value of $395 million, and a market rent of $2,079,490 a month.

Here are the new specs: “1,500 sq ft updated to 18 acres. Year built updated from 1970 to 1800 [or is that downdated?]” Two baths updated to 35 full baths. Description updated to “rich in tradition and history. … The impressive kitchen is equipped to serve dinner for up to 140 guests and hors d’oeuvres to over 1,000.”

The current occupant moves out on Jan. 20, and the guy entitled to move in seems to prefer New York City.

More: “In addition to many bedrooms, you’ll find a sun room, music room, game room and gym … doctor’s office, flower and carpenter shops, and a bowling alley.” Not to overlook: “the 40-seat Family Theater.” Other amenities: “Gated entry … Hot tub/spa … porch … fenced yard … security system … lawn … pool … finished basement … controlled access … cable ready … fireplace … wet bar.”

Sounds adequate—finished basements are nice and the security system is probably at least as good as ADT’s—but the price has risen to $408 million in little more than a month. But Zillow’s estimated rental price remains the same, a little more than $2 million a month. The current occupant moves out on Jan. 20, and the guy entitled to move in seems to prefer New York City. I wonder if we could rent to own.