Breaking Bad house hits the market

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a house with a quiet exterior but a celebrated history as a key location in the iconic TV series “Breaking Bad” has hit the market. The home, nestled in one of Albuquerque’s older neighborhoods, is expected to draw significant attention due to its association with the series’ legendary characters, Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. Despite the series concluding over a decade ago, the legacy of “Breaking Bad” continues to attract fans and tourists to this and other filming locations around the city.

The state’s affection for the show even led the Governor of New Mexico to feature Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, in a public service campaign against littering. The home’s owners, the Quintana family, have seen their quiet street transform into a pilgrimage site for fans, with sometimes hundreds of cars passing daily. Joanne Quintana, whose parents bought the house in the 1970s, recalls growing up there before the onslaught of attention made privacy a significant concern, leading to the installation of a metal fence and security cameras.

Now, with her parents deceased, Joanne believes it’s time to let go of the home that’s been in her family for almost five decades. “This was our family home from 1973,” she told Albuquerque’s KOB-TV. “So we’re going to walk away with just our memories. It’s time to move on. We’re done. There’s no reason to fight anymore.”

The Quintana’s connection with “Breaking Bad” began unexpectedly in 2006 when a location scout approached them about using their home for the show. The ensuing years brought the cast and crew into their lives, including memorable moments like the famous pizza-throwing scene, which was meticulously prepared for, though Cranston nailed it on his first take.

Today, the housing market in Albuquerque is starkly different from the era depicted in “Breaking Bad,” with median home prices nearing $400,000. However, leveraging the home’s cinematic fame, it’s listed for just under $4 million, a testament to its unique place in television history. Potential buyers are considering various future uses for the property, including transforming it into a vacation rental or a museum, offering fans a deeper, more personal connection to the beloved series.

David Christensen of eXp Luxury, managing the sale, noted that interest has been robust since the listing went live. “It’s been a busy day,” he said, underscoring the property’s appeal as a slice of pop culture history now available for acquisition.