California home hid miniature town and railway in backyard; sold for $415,000
A California home featuring a unique backyard miniature town and functioning model railway sold for $415,000. The property, located in East Hemet, gained attention for its creative integration of hobbyist infrastructure into a residential space.
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This highlights niche real estate trends where unique property features can influence marketability and buyer interest.
A modest single-family home in East Hemet, California, carried a surprise that most buyers would never expect from the street. Behind the three-bedroom, two-bath house sat a fully built, covered miniature town complete with a functioning model train set, all tucked into a backyard that also includes an in-ground pool and an above-ground spa. The 1,460-square-foot property listed in December 2025 for $425,000 and sold on February 27, 2026, for $415,000, according to Zillow and Realtor.com.A pool home with a hidden railway cityThe house at 41011 Stetson Avenue sits on a corner lot in East Hemet, a community in Riverside County about 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Built in 1971, the home offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a circular front driveway with dual street access, providing extra parking space for vehicles or recreational toys.
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