House for Sale Straddles US/Canada Border

In 1782, a merchant built a house that straddled the US/Canadian border where the towns of Beebe Plain, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec, met. His idea was to sell goods to both Americans and Canadians, so there are entrances on both sides of the building. It later became a residence and then was cut into apartments, but the border was not a big deal …until September 11, 2001. Since then, border security has become a pain for the current owners, Brian and Joan Dumoulin, who are dual citizens. They are trying to sell the property, which will cost you $109,000 if you pay in US dollars or $147,000 Canadian. The property comes with border agents.  

Troy Rabideau, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection assistant port director for the area that includes Beebe Plain, said the agents know who live there, but keeping track can be a challenge.

“It’s always a fine line,” Rabideau said. “We do the best we can to keep an eye on it. We do what we have to do, security first, but we also want the support of the locals.”

The DuMoulins’ house has entrances from the United States and Canada. Agents have come to know the people who live in the house, currently vacant, and allow them to move back and forth freely as long as they stay in the house or the tiny front or backyard. There’s a small granite border marker just outside the front door.

There is a gate hidden in a backyard hedge. DuMoulin said U.S. agents wanted to be sure the gate was wired shut. It is.

Besides being under 24-hour scrutiny, you have to wonder how much of a nightmare property taxes are. And which laws are in effect for the inside. Read more about this unique house at the Vancouver Sun. -via reddit

(Image credit: Google Maps)


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