In post war London, estate agent Roy Brooks was famous for his warts and all adverts:
DARKEST PIMLICO. A large Victorian family house, entrance flanked by pillars, pathetically waits for purchaser. The bath shrouded by thickening dust. Torn up by its roots the missing geyser leaves a gaping hole?. Groping in the basement (3 rooms), our intrepid representative stumbled against an ancient brick copper: presumably the kitchen. Long 80 yrs. lse. G.R. ?60 p.a. A gift at ?6,990.
http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/lost-property-a-random-and-two-reviews/
Said house would probably now be in mid seven digits!
That's awesome!