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Real Estate
HBaunted Houses, Myths and Omens in Real Estate
elieve in it or not, when it comes to haunted by ghosts or spirits. This might real estate, there are plenty of bad include paranormal societies and indi- – and good – omens woven into our viduals who have a special interest in
culture.
Whether you’re facing seven years’
bad luck from that broken mirror or car- rying around a rabbit’s foot in the hopes of turning your luck around, omens are all around us – even in real estate.
If you’re selling your home or looking to buy a new one, be on the lookout for these nine real estate omens.
Possibly one of those most well-known omens: If a black cat crosses your path during an open house, it could be a warn- ing that bad luck is coming your way. Maybe you should think twice before submitting that lowball offer.
While most people aren’t thrilled to see bees swarming around their home, where they land could be a bad real estate omen: It is said a swarm of bees on your roof is a warning of a house fire.
Watch out for crows when you’re head- ing to your closing. A lone crow appear- ing is bad luck and may make the deal fall through.
Love the house you just saw? Don’t open your umbrella before you leave – wait until you step out on the porch. Opening an umbrella indoors might bring you bad luck when you make your offer.
Taking your personal photos off the wall isn’t only a good idea for home stag- ing, it can also help preserve your luck. If a picture falls off the wall while you’re trying to sell your home, you could bring bad luck to the deal.
Think you may have a bird living in your house? Look for the breed before you shoo the guest away. A blackbird nest- ing in your roof could bring good luck, and some buyers might find the chirping charming.
FOTOLIA.COM
If the first butterfly you see in the spring is white, you’re in luck. A white butterfly at the beginning of the season brings good fortune in all of your busi- ness dealings, even real estate.
A frog showing up in your mud room around the time you decide to sell your house may seem like an odd coincidence, but a frog indoors could mean you’re about to come into money: Get ready to make a deal!
You might want to have peas for dinner if you’re planning on going house hunt- ing the next day. Finding nine peas in one pod is an omen that good luck is headed your way.
Superstitions aside, there are cer- tain realities that will impact the sale of
a home with a history. It can be hard to sell a house if it has a reputation for being haunted or if someone is known to have died in the house. If the death occurred within the last three years, then the homeowner is legally obliged to disclose this fact before he sells the house.
A haunted house, or one in which someone died, is called “stigmatized property“ – there are different laws in dif- ferent states regarding this kind of prop- erty. Check with your Realtor when put- ting such a house on the market.
A haunted house can be a positive selling point if you market it as a spe- cial house with an interesting history. Strange as it sounds, some people do want to buy a house that is purportedly
the supernatural or in paranormal phenomena.
A savvy homeowner can tap into this specialty or niche market for haunted houses. Some hotels and inns advertise that they are haunted, and there is a spe- cific clientele that appreciates this and will give their business to such a place.
To sell a haunted house or one that is known as a stigmatized property, find out from your real estate agent and your law- yer whether your state’s laws obligate you to disclose that the house is considered to be haunted.
Even if you are not obligated by law to say anything, it might be wiser to give a heads up to a potential buyer. If it is com- mon knowledge in the community your house is haunted, then any buyer will surely find out from the neighbors and may be very unhappy they bought your house.
On the other hand, if your house has a reputation for being haunted and you know it really isn’t, then you can freely discuss the unfounded rumors with potential buyers and real estate agents. Have an open house or a brokers’ party to show everyone that it is just a nor- mal house. This could help dispel false rumors that your house is haunted.
Some haunted houses never sell. Oth- ers are sold as unique and interesting properties with a fascinating history by people who do not mind living with ghosts.
Finally, if you have trouble selling a haunted house, you can always lower the price. This means that some lucky buyer will find that he can get a terrific bargain by buying your home.
Submitted by NMAR PR Committee
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