Would you buy a "tragedy" home?

CowgirlK39

There is a home up the road a little ways that I have my eye on. It is not on the market but there is no movement on the property, ever. The lawn is mowed but that's about it. No cars in the driveway, no garbage out, no lights on, nothing. I mentioned it to my DH one time and he told me there was a really bad, tragic death in that house about four years ago (he's a volunteer fireman and was there when it happened). He said there is no way he would want to live in a place knowing what had happened there. So I am curious, would you ever live in a place that you know had a tragedy/death occur? Also, is there a way if can find out more about the property (who owners it, lot size, etc)?

SmrBrd2012

I probably would if there was a really good deal on it and I really liked the home, but I'm biased because I'm in a HCOL area with an average income....As long as there weren't any...stains and what not... I guess it would kind of depend on what had happened.

Beads921

Honestly, no, I wouldn't. I'd be too freaked out and feel troubled by it.

I think a lot about who lived in our house before us. Who built it, what it looked like brand new, how many owners its had, what they were like, etc. I know that one couple that owned it had domestic issues and the police were here from time to time. They didn't own it for long, and when they sold it was in bad shape. I don't like knowing that that went on in my house, my home, a place that is safe and full of love. I definitely couldn't stand living in a stigmatized house. 

*edited for clarity*

Sisugal

A house is a house and is not responsible for past happenings.  Bring some happiness into it!

short+sassy

Interesting question. It totally wouldn't bother me, especially since it would probably be a good price.

The history of the property...who has owned it throughout the years, what it has been paid/sold for, and possibly work done (if permitted)...is actually public record.  Where I live, I can get that information from the tax assessor's website or office.

In fact, when I was house hunting, I looked up the pricing history for any house I was seriously interested in.  It was like "inside information" on what kind of profit/loss the current owners might be looking at.

casey8784

Years ago when I was a child, there was a gruesome murder in my town. Whoever "got/inherited" the house afterwards tried selling it on and off for years, and people either couldn't get past the weirdness of it or offered waaay too little. THEN there were the people that actually get excited about creepy stuff and they're drawn to it like flies to a lamp. It took years, but the house ended up selling for more than twice it's value! (Another example, the "Amityville Horror" house recently sold, and all the people that put in offers were HUGE fans of the movie/story.)   

My best friend at the time lived across the street from this house, and apparently for a while I refused to sleep over her house, cause I was afraid of the house...lol!

juliebeannn

a house is a house.  unless the tragedy happened to someone i knew, i wouldn't have any issues with a "tragedy" home.  if i liked the house and especially if it was a good deal, it'd totally go for it.

Janessadawn

No way. It's one thing if someone has died a natural death in the home (e.g., an elderly person dies in their sleep at the end of their life) but I'd be waaaaay too creeped out to buy a house like the one you've described. Even if someone had died a natural death there I wouldn't want to know about it. They say ignorance is bliss, and it's true.

LoveKiss

Nope. I believe in the vibes of a place, and I wouldn't want to live in a place with bad vibes. Maybe it's all in my head, but there ya go.

toothpastechica

I would be ok with a house that something tragic had happened in in the past.....BUT if your husband was there when it happened I think that he should have more of a say in if he's ok with it then you do...what a depressing thing to have to live with if you were there when it happened and then moved into the house that reminds you of it every time you come home.

Dreamergirl8812

I would not have a problem bringing love to a house that was previously the scene of a tragedy. However, depending on the severity of the tragedy, whomever owns the house will have to disclose it to any future buyers for the life of the property. As you can see with PPs, this is not great for property value.

Disneygeek77

I personally wouldn't have a problem with it, but I would be more worried for my kids, as in would their friends refuse to come over or they would be labeled as the kid that lives at " that " house. 

Emily104

You should be able to find out all of the information (owner info, lot size, house size, square footage, as well as appraisal values) by going to the county assessor's page and searching by the address. 

I once bought a houseboat to live on and the previous owner had died.  The seller (the owner's mom) did not provide all of the details, but I'm about 99% sure the previous owner died on the boat.  To make it worse, the boat was named "The Spirit".  My sister thought it was really creepy, but I had no problem there.