The ‘Goonies’ house in Astoria is sold to a fan who wants to protect the monument

Hey guys! The probable new owner of a Victorian-era home in Astoria known as “The Goonies” is a fan of the classic coming-of-age movie about friendships and treasure hunting, and vows to preserve and protect the landmark, says realtor Jordan Miller of John L. Scott Real Estate.

The deal is expected to close in mid-January, Miller says, and the new owner, a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur, will announce his name at that time.

The buyer teases “die-hard Goonies” in a Q&A that he wants their help rebuilding the device that opens the front gate.

“Of course nobody comes in unless they do the truffle shuffle,” he jokes in his written statement.

The restored private residence at 368 38th St. was listed for sale on November 17 for $1.65 million. An offer was accepted six days later, according to public records.

“After word got around that the property was for sale, we received multiple offers, at the asking price and above, and we have a full back-up offer,” says Miller.

Seller Sandi Preston passes on movie memorabilia she has collected or received, and some of the furniture in the house, restored to its original 1896 style, can also be sold to the buyer, Miller says.

Miller also received an offer for the house next door, at 384 38th Ave., which was listed for $550,000 by Preston’s daughter. The 1885 house may be occupied by a childhood friend of the new owner of the Goonies’ home.

Miller says the potential new owner first saw “The Goonies” when it was released in 1985 with his mother, brother, sister, and his friend Michael (“Mikey”).

He considers himself a “Goonie”, which he describes as friends who stick together.

“My childhood friendships were and still are essential to my development and success,” he told Miller. “Buying this house is a big step to show that your dreams can come true with the right friends around you. You don’t have to be rich to make your dreams come true, but you do need a strong support group, honesty and a sense of adventure.”

He recalls that his initial reaction to the film reinforced his continuing belief that a child’s imagination is limitless, that adventure should be embraced, and that you can’t predict where chance will take you.

He sees buying the legendary property as a way to relive his childhood, and Astoria as “magical with the almost daily mist that can transform into pure sunshine or a cozy day at the seaside.”

As the next owner of “The Goonies” house, he says he’s most excited to “duh! Live in the Goon Docks.

Since the release of the adventure comedy in 1985, Goonies groupies have made pilgrimages to Astoria, in Oregon’s northwestern outskirts, congregating at 368 38th St. to glimpse the forbidding old house that was saved by the film’s unlikely young heroes.

Fictional brothers Brand Walsh (played by Josh Brolin) and Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin) and their misfit friends from the wrong side of the lane (the “Goon Docks”) fought to keep the brothers’ family home from developers.

The actual homeowner, Sandi Preston, who purchased the property in 2001, first let fans in before restoring the two-story home.

Most visitors were respectful, she said, but sometimes souvenir hunters ripped off pieces of the wallpaper near the bunk beds. She then closed the doors of the 1896 house, except during Goonies Day tours, organized to celebrate the film’s anniversary.

Preston says she wants to downsize from the two-story home with 2,336 square feet of living space.

There is also a finished attic and an unfinished basement where Steven Spielberg, who wrote the story “The Goonies” which was screenplayed by Chris Columbus, had a desk during filming. He met director Richard Donner there, says Miller.

— Janet Eastman| 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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— Janet Eastman| 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

Our journalism needs your support. Become a subscriber today OregonLive.com/subscribe.

More about “The Goonies”

• ‘Goonies’ house for sale in Astoria; see what the fan favorite looks like now – oregonlive.com

• Watch: Stars of Oregon-filmed classic ‘The Goonies’ reunite in video hosted by Josh Gad

• The Goonies 30th Anniversary in Astoria (photos)

• Hey guys! Goonies Day takes over Astoria

• Oregon Film Museum is a shrine to ‘The Goonies’; expansion could soon honor others – oregonlive.com