Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It was late January and the Buffalo Bills had lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. The weather was cold and nasty, and the Bills fired longtime coach Sean McDermott shortly after their playoff loss.
So Katelyn Eddy, a realtor with Keller-Williams, was unsure if there was going to be much interest in the so-called "Bills Mafia" house, a tidy two-bedroom Orchard Park starter home that was best known as one of the major tailgating and congregating point for Bills' fans, especially the deeply loyal "Bills Mafia".
But it just happens the house is a long Tyler Bass field goal from the current Highmark Stadium and just across Abbott Road from new Highmark Stadium.
The house's owner, Shane Prouty - himself a diehard Bills fan - wanted to sell the property as he had growing work obligations and plans to spend more time with his family.
Prouty called the decision to sell the house "bitttersweet."
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In 2013, Prouty paid $58,000 for the house and had Eddy list it with a $699,900 list price.
That's when the Real Estate 101 axiom took hold: Location, location, location.
Because of lots of publicity related to the listing, Eddy said her phone was ringing.
"It was the location and the price point," Eddy said.
After sifting through the calls, Eddy honed in on 12 serious offers.
From that, a Rochester-based group of investors - The Bills Mafia House LLC - paid $810,000 for the house - more than 15% above the list price and well above the $58,000 Prouty paid 13 years ago.
The buyers said they will honor the house's legacy and keep it as a "Bills Mafia" epicenter for tailgating and congregating on game day.
The house may also be listed as an Airbnb location.
"I know Shane is happy that they (the new owners) are honoring the house's history," Eddy said.
The house is one of several property listings near the stadium but it is the only that sits on Highmark's doorstep.
"That was clearly a factor," Eddy said.