As I prepare to take a week's vacation in California, I'm reminded of the photo I took in May, 2006 when my husband and I were driving in the high desert from Temecula to Palm Springs.

Given the current state of the California real estate market, this picture is a classic!

Check out this 300 square foot, 1 bedroom house that was recently on the market in Toronto.

Built in 1912 by a contractor who lived in the home for 26 years, it was totally renovated from top to bottom last year.

With increased media attention, the owners created a special website for viewers around the world to enjoy.

The house even captured the attention of Ellen Degeneres in January, who called the listing agent live from her show for more information!

At a little more than seven feet wide, it looks more like a 'house for hobbits' as reported on the CTV National News.

Who knows where this photo originated?

It's a mystery to me because it was sent to me in a forwarded email.

Sure makes cleaning the chimney easier!

There's nothing I hate seeing more when showing homes than dead animal heads!

Once I showed a small ranch home with a 14" x 12" Living Room that had a stuffed buck on one wall and a huge stuffed wild boar on another. It absolutely gave us the willies and we couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Now I know you hunters out there are very proud of yourselves, but take down and store any dead heads before putting your home up for sale. The market is challenging enough without you offending the buyers right after they step in the door.

For you dead head fans, the lamps to the right are made from preserved sheep's stomachs, courtesy of JuliaLohmann.com.uk, and the sheep chair is courtesy of Freshome.com.

So have you heard the story about a Kansas woman who refused come out of her boyfriend's bathroom for two years?

Sounds like a cliche, but proving truth is stranger than fiction, authorities were called to a house at the end of February. Turns out the poor 35-year-old woman had been sitting so long, her skin had adhered to the toilet seat which had to be removed and taken to the hospital with her.

According to the story on MSN.com, the boyfriend apparently would ask her every day if she was ready to come out, and she'd reply "maybe tomorrow". Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances, but I have to ask...how long would it take you to seek medical help for someone stuck on a toilet in your house?

Continuing with the potty theme, check out this bizarre story on a toilet-shaped home in South Korea.

Check it out!

Yes, that is matching shag carpeting on the walls and floors, along with an old school waterbed.

Groooovy Baaabyyy!

Could this be any more confusing?

Looks like you'd be going the right direction no matter which way you turn in this Livonia subdivision!

One of the few blogs I read regularly is from an agent in Connecticut. Besides being a Prudential agent, Athol Kay photographs homes for sellers and other agents.

His blog contains photographic hints and tips, and he even offers to "Pimp My Listing Photo" for agents who want help improving a photo.

The entries I particularly enjoy are the "Bad MLS Photo of the Day". Crazy photos are submitted by agents around the country, and coupled with Athol's witty commentary, it's a fun read.

This was a recent submission of mine from our local MLS that was named Bad MLS Photo of the Day #330.

Lunar Embassy in Gardnerville, Nevada, in coordination with the Galactic Government, is selling property on the moon.

In an interview on the Sunday, February 24th edition of CBS Sunday Morning, Dr. Dennis Hope said more than 475 million acres (approximately 1,500 acre a day) of lunar property have been sold over the past 27 years totaling $9.75 million.

A check of their website shows they offer parcels on Moon of Earth, Mars, Venus, IO (eye-oh), and Mercury. Prices range from $36.50 for a single one acre property to $5 million for a continent-sized 5,332,740 acre property.

They do offer financing, in case you're interested.

No, this picture wasn't taken in the 1960s, 1970s, or even the 1980s.

This photo was snapped four short years ago in 2004!

Yes, that is green shag carpet with matching plush sofa. Walking into the home was like stepping into the past or accidently stumbing onto the set of an Austin Powers movie.

Chrome, shag & mirrors...let's hope this trend stays retro.

Stay tuned for Part 2

Welcome to the premiere of The Wacky World of Real Estate!

There are plenty of serious, newsy blogs around so this one focuses on the unusual, weird, and truly bizarre real estate related stories and photos.

This Summer, my husband and I took a weekend trip to Traverse City. Driving along Highway 72 to Sleeping Bear Dunes, I caught a glimpse of this sign. I just had to snap a photo of it on our way back.

Hmmm...how would you like to live on this street?

If you have an unusual photo or story you'd like to share, e-mail me.