Real estate agents believe Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa‘s New Mexico home won’t be “tough” to sell, despite their deaths and it being a “breeding ground” for rodents.
Ken Martinez of Keller Williams Realty, Jer Collins of Exp Realty and Shak Bani from Santa Fe Properties told TMZ that the $4 million mansion’s rat issues will be fixed and the home’s secluded location will be a big hit among prospective buyers.
Realtors in New Mexico aren’t required to disclose to potential buyers that both Hackman and his wife died in the 10,000-square-foot home.
However, the real estate agents don’t think that factor would matter much anyway.
The realtors said it was “standard” for homes in the Santa Fe, NM, area to have pests and rodents and whoever owns the mansion next can do a better prevention.
Collins told TMZ that the news coverage surrounding the home may fascinate some buyers.
Earlier this week, the outlet reported that the couple’s home was reportedly a “breeding ground for infestation” before their deaths.
When the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted an environmental assessment in March, dead rodents, droppings and nests were discovered across several buildings on the couple’s property.
Dead rodents, droppings and nests were discovered across eight buildings on the couple’s property when the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted an environmental assessment in March.
On Tuesday, Page Six obtained police body-cam images of the couple’s cluttered home.
Authorities found prescription drugs, COVID-19 tests, feces and urine still inside one of the bathroom’s toilet bowls and a blood-stained pillow in one of the bedrooms.
Hackman and Arakawa were both found dead in their New Mexico home on Feb. 26 by their longtime contractor. The “French Connection” actor and his wife were 95 and 65, respectively.
Zinna, one of the couple’s three dogs, was also discovered deceased in a crate, likely dying of starvation and dehydration.
Hackman and the classical pianist’s living dogs helped first responders find the Oscar winner’s body after they searched their home for more than 30 minutes.
Arakawa died nearly a week earlier than her husband after she contracted a rare rodent-transmitted virus called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), according to an autopsy report.
Meanwhile, the “Unforgiven” star’s cause of death was listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with “evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease” as a significant contributory factor.
It’s likely that Hackman did not know Arakawa was dead due to his Alzheimer’s disease.
The couple, who tied the knot in 1991, were laid to rest following a small, private memorial that was attended by Hackman’s three children — Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 63, and Leslie, 58, whom he welcomed with his first wife, Faye Maltese.