The house that the OP talks about is definitely odd. While they were building, I wondered who would want it. After it sold, they built another odd one right up against the first one.
We’ve been considering spending $350-400k to add a large bit of sqf onto a house in PB (a tiny old 2bd on a full lot). But I’m starting to think we’ll be able to buy another property here for that kind of money, if we just wait a few years.