When most of us hear about a home that has dead rats, rodent nests, and was the scene of a celebrity couple’s tragic deaths, we’d run the other way. But local real estate agents in Santa Fe, New Mexico have something shocking to say about Gene Hackman’s $4 million mansion: it won’t be hard to sell at all. In fact, they’re practically fighting over who might get the listing! The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were both found dead in their home on February 26, 2025, just a week apart from each other. Despite the sad circumstances and rodent problems, realtors are surprisingly upbeat about the property’s prospects.
Rats and all, the mansion will still attract buyers
Finding out a home was once overrun with rats would make most people’s skin crawl. The New Mexico Department of Public Health discovered dead rodents, droppings, and nests in eight different buildings on Hackman’s property. This wasn’t just a minor problem – inspectors called it a “breeding ground for infestation.” The rodent issue was so bad that it directly contributed to Arakawa’s death from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare but deadly virus spread through contact with infected rodents or their waste. Yet Santa Fe realtors aren’t worried this will scare away potential buyers.
According to local agents, rodent problems are actually pretty common in Santa Fe homes. “It’s standard,” they claim, noting that rats and other pests are just part of life in that region of New Mexico. The realtors point out that any new owner can simply clean up the mess and put better prevention measures in place. One agent even said he would “gladly take the listing” if given the chance, suggesting the property’s other features far outweigh its pest control challenges. These confident statements show just how valuable the property is despite its recent troubles.
The seclusion factor is worth millions
What could possibly make a home with such a troubled recent history so appealing? Location, location, location – the golden rule of real estate. The Hackman property sits in a secluded area outside Santa Fe, offering total privacy for whoever might move in next. The 10,000-square-foot mansion underwent extensive renovations during the time Hackman and his wife owned it, making it a truly custom home. Perhaps most impressive is the 360-degree view of the surrounding Colorado mountains that the property offers – a selling point that’s hard to put a price tag on, though realtors have, at about $4 million.
The size of the property alone makes it unique in the Santa Fe market. At 10,000 square feet, it dwarfs most homes in the area and offers multiple buildings and structures across the grounds. Jer Collins of Exp Realty noted that the secluded location would be a major draw for potential buyers who value their privacy. This is especially true for wealthy buyers who might be looking for a second home away from prying eyes. The fact that the home sits against a backdrop of stunning mountain views only adds to its appeal, creating a selling point that makes realtors confident they can overcome any negative associations.
Celebrity connection might actually help the sale
Would you be more or less likely to buy a home knowing a famous actor had lived and died there? According to Santa Fe realtors, Hackman’s celebrity status might actually make the home more attractive to certain buyers. Rather than seeing the deaths as a negative, some realtors believe the news coverage and public interest surrounding the property could intrigue potential buyers. It’s a morbid thought, but there are people who might be fascinated by living in a home once owned by a two-time Oscar winner. The real estate agents interviewed seem to think this curiosity factor could even drive up interest.
The property has received significant media attention since the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were discovered on February 26. Police have released body cam footage and photos from inside the home, showing its cluttered condition at the time of their deaths. While this might seem like bad publicity, it has put the home on the radar of millions of people worldwide. Shak Bani from Santa Fe Properties suggested that this notoriety won’t hurt the property’s chances of selling. Instead, he believes it might attract a buyer who appreciates the home’s unique history and connection to Hollywood royalty. It’s a surprising take on what many would consider a deal-breaker.
Santa Fe homes often deal with rodent problems
If you’re grossed out by the thought of rats in a multi-million dollar home, you might be surprised to learn this isn’t unusual in Santa Fe. Local real estate agents explain that dealing with rodents is a normal part of homeownership in the area. The desert landscape and rural setting mean that mice, rats, and other critters frequently try to make their way indoors, especially during colder months. What happened at the Hackman residence was extreme, but the underlying issue – wildlife entering human spaces – is something every homeowner in the region faces at some point. Even homes worth millions aren’t immune.
Ken Martinez of Keller Williams Realty pointed out that while the infestation at Hackman’s home was severe, it’s a fixable problem. Professional pest control services can eliminate existing rodents, clean up droppings and nests, and seal entry points to prevent future problems. The next owners would likely invest in regular pest control maintenance to ensure the issue doesn’t return. Unlike structural problems or poor location, a rodent infestation – even a serious one – is considered a temporary issue that can be resolved with proper attention. This mindset explains why realtors aren’t worried about the property’s selling prospects.
No legal requirement to disclose the deaths
Here’s something that might surprise you: in New Mexico, realtors aren’t required to tell potential buyers that someone died in the home they’re looking at. This disclosure rule (or lack thereof) works in favor of whoever ends up listing the Hackman property. The real estate agents interviewed noted that they wouldn’t be legally obligated to share the fact that both Hackman and his wife passed away in the home. While ethical considerations might lead some agents to disclose this information anyway, especially given the high-profile nature of the case, there’s no law forcing them to do so.
This lack of disclosure requirement gives selling agents flexibility in how they present the property’s history. They can focus on the home’s positive attributes – its size, location, views, and celebrity pedigree – without being forced to highlight the tragic circumstances of the previous owners’ deaths. Of course, given the media coverage surrounding the case, most potential buyers would likely already know about what happened there. Still, the absence of a legal disclosure requirement removes one potential hurdle in the selling process, giving realtors another reason to feel confident about the property’s prospects.
The price tag isn’t scaring realtors either
Four million dollars is a lot of money for a house, especially one with the baggage that comes with the Hackman property. Yet Santa Fe realtors don’t seem worried about the high price point. They believe the size, location, and unique features of the home justify the asking price, even with its troubled history. The housing market in desirable areas like Santa Fe has remained strong, with luxury properties still finding buyers despite economic uncertainties. The combination of the home’s physical attributes and its celebrity connection could even command a premium in the right circumstances, according to some of the agents interviewed.
The realtors’ confidence suggests there’s a market for high-end properties in the Santa Fe area, regardless of complications. Wealthy buyers looking for vacation homes or investment properties might be less concerned about the home’s history than someone buying a primary residence. For buyers at this price point, the opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood history – along with a massive home on a secluded property with mountain views – might outweigh any negative associations. The realtors seem to understand this market dynamic, explaining their optimistic outlook on the property’s selling potential.
The cleanup is simpler than you might think
When you hear about a “breeding ground for infestation,” you might picture a home that’s beyond saving. But according to Santa Fe realtors, cleaning up even a severe rodent problem is relatively straightforward. Professional cleaning services specialize in exactly this kind of situation, and while it’s not cheap, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall value of a $4 million property. The cleanup would involve removing all evidence of rodents, sanitizing affected areas, sealing entry points, and implementing ongoing prevention measures. For a wealthy buyer, this additional expense wouldn’t likely be a deal-breaker.
The real estate agents emphasized that once cleaned up, there would be no lasting impact on the property’s value or safety. Unlike issues like foundation problems or water damage, which can cause ongoing issues for years, a rodent infestation – even a serious one – can be completely resolved with proper remediation. The agents suggested that any new owner would likely gut and renovate affected areas anyway, as luxury home buyers often prefer to put their own stamp on a property. This practical approach to the cleanup process is another reason why realtors aren’t concerned about selling the Hackman home.
What matters most is still what’s fixed least
At the end of the day, real estate is about three things: location, location, location. This old saying seems to be what Santa Fe realtors are banking on when it comes to the Hackman property. No matter what happened inside those walls, the property still sits in a desirable area with stunning mountain views that can’t be replicated elsewhere. The secluded setting, the size of the home, and the extensive renovations that Hackman and his wife completed over the years all add value that exists independently of the home’s recent tragic history. These fundamental aspects of the property remain unchanged and highly valuable.
Real estate professionals understand that while buyers might be initially put off by the home’s history, the right buyer will recognize the property’s inherent value. Someone looking for a secluded mountain retreat with plenty of space and privacy might see past the recent events, especially after a professional cleaning and renovation. As one realtor pointed out, locations like the one Hackman’s property enjoys are extremely limited – you can clean up a home, but you can’t create more land with 360-degree mountain views. This scarcity of comparable properties gives realtors confidence that despite everything, the right buyer will eventually emerge.
Despite what most of us might assume, Gene Hackman’s $4 million Santa Fe mansion has a bright future on the real estate market. Local agents remain surprisingly confident that the rodent issues, tragic deaths, and media attention won’t prevent the home from selling. With its secluded location, mountain views, and even its celebrity connection working in its favor, realtors believe the property will find a new owner without much trouble. It’s a reminder that in real estate, even the most challenging properties can be attractive when they have the right features in the right location.
