President Trump’s childhood home in New York City sold at a steep discount. The house, once in good condition, fell into disrepair over time. Feral cats roamed freely inside. The house, located in Jamaica Estates, Queens, sold for only $835,000. This is less than half of the $2.14 million it sold for in 2017. Trump lived there until he was four years old. It’s a Tudor-style home that once attracted attention for its connection to the former president.
The House’s Decline Over the Years
The condition of the home worsened over the years. A photographer visiting the house found the front door wide open. Inside, the walls stripped down, leaving only the studs. Construction workers cleaned up the place, throwing old debris into a dumpster. A neighbor overheard a worker saying they were gutting the house to fix it up. A company from Brooklyn, 1388 Group, now owns Trump’s childhood home. They plan to flip the house, renovate it, and make it livable again. The home had definitely seen better days.
New Owners and Plans for Renovations
The new owners paid for the house and its repairs with two mortgages. These mortgages added up to $931,500, according to property records. The loans were provided by a company called Accolend, which specializes in loans for fixing and flipping homes. One neighbor reported that the new owners had already paid to take care of the lawn. Before the renovation work started, workers plastered Trump’s childhood home with “vacate” notices. They also posted warnings about the water being shut off. The house sat abandoned for a while before the renovations began. The new owners are now working hard to bring it back to life.
Water Damage and Feral Cats
The house wasn’t just in poor condition; it also suffered a lot of water damage. A burst pipe in the basement caused mold to spread. The mold filled the basement, making the house even harder to fix. Volunteers cared for the feral cats that took over Trump’s childhood home. The cats made the house their home while it sat empty, adding to the disrepair. It’s unclear how many cats lived there, but they were part of the home’s troubled past.
Previous Sales and Price Changes
Before the house sold in 2016 for $1.4 million, it changed hands a few times. In 2008, it sold for $782,500. The 2016 sale marked a big price increase. The house flipped in 2017 for $2.14 million, more than double its previous price. The price was much higher than similar homes in the neighborhood. Its connection to Trump sparked conversation. People saw Trump’s childhood home as a symbol of his success, drawing interest from all over the world.
A Popular Tourist Attraction
When the house listed for sale, many visitors came. Many were tourists from China, who admired Trump’s rise to power. Trump’s childhood home became a place for people to take pictures and remember its connection to the president. Tourists often took photos in front of the home, eager to see where Trump spent his early years. The house wasn’t just a home; it became a tourist attraction due to its history and the president’s image.
Airbnb and the “Trump Birth House LLC”
After it was bought, the house was turned into an Airbnb rental. The buyer, who called themselves “Trump Birth House LLC,” rented it out for $815 per night. Guests who stayed in the house could sleep in a bedroom that had a plaque. The plaque claimed that it was the place where President Trump was “likely conceived.” The idea was to make Trump’s childhood home a place where fans of Trump could visit and connect with his past. It was an unusual way to make money from the house while preserving its historical significance.
Failed Fundraising Effort
In 2021, a company called Paramount Realty USA launched a crowdfunding campaign. Their goal was to raise $3 million to buy Trump’s childhood home and donate it in honor of President Trump. The campaign was aimed at Trump supporters who wanted to preserve the house. However, the fundraising effort was unsuccessful. Despite their best efforts, they were not able to raise enough money to buy the home. The story of Trump’s childhood home, from its rise in value to its eventual sale and renovations, shows just how much interest there has been in this property.
This house, once a symbol of President Trump’s early life, went through many changes. Trump’s childhood home saw a rise and fall in value and attracted attention from many people. Now, workers are renovating it and preparing it for a new chapter.
