For sale: California mausoleum, spectacular view
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SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) -- John Schiffeler's relatives are certain not to raise any objections if he goes through with plans to sell their Oakland residence located on a quiet, verdant hill overlooking San Francisco Bay.
That's because the structure, which the Carmel Valley, California, resident is offering for $250,000, is a mausoleum. The inhabitants -- six family members including Schiffeler's parents and a friend -- died years ago.
"I am not, what you would say, an offspring without filial piety," said Schiffeler, who says he would rather not part with the family plot. "I find myself, I'm sorry to say, in a rather severe financial situation."
Schiffeler put a "for sale" sign on the mausoleum in June before leaving on a trip to France. But the summer passed without anyone expressing much interest.
Now his relatives might be getting roommates.
After The San Francisco Chronicle ran a story on the sale, Schiffeler said he got a telephone call from an area attorney asking whether he and his wife might join the family after they die.
Schiffeler says he's considering the offer.
"They'd have complete use of everything -- water, gas, electric," he says, of the potential lodgers. "Whatever they need."
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