Brooklyn home with creepy past challenges even strong stomachs
Grisly murder makes house in desirable neighborhood a tough sell.
By Rebecca at MSN Real Estate Apr 7, 2011 10:50AM
In a city with a relative shortage of good housing, a death in a home normally "barely elicits a shrug," reports The New York Times. But a century-old, brick home for sale on coveted Howard Place is putting even tough New York stomachs to the test, reporter Christine Haughney writes.
Four months ago, Margaret and Raymond Devaney were stabbed by their troubled 31-year-old son at their home there. The father survived, but his mother died.
The home is in a neighborhood more known for kids' birthday parties than murders.
Residents remember fondly the filming of the 1997 movie "As Good as It Gets."
But after little response, the home's asking price was lowered a second time to $1.29 million in late March.
One agent told the Times he found a couple who were willing to pay $700,000 for the place and who then planned to "burn sage all around" to get rid of any bad vibes.
For those who can deal with those "vibes," some homes with a grisly past can be a bargain.
In 2005, Chris Butler found a place he loved in Summit County, Ohio, but soon learned it was the childhood home of serial murderer Jeffrey Dahmer -- and he had committed his first murder there as a teen.
After he got over the initial shock, the musician decided, "I can't not do this. It fits my alternative lifestyle."
Murder is just one of the many stigmas than can hurt a home's value. Sellers should make sure they are aware of local disclosure laws so they know what to reveal. California and New York have the most demanding ones.
On Howard Place, the neighbors hope the home will find a fresh start.
"We are looking forward to a happy end," the home's next-door neighbor Dr. David Coun told the Times.
| Tags: | homevaluesselling |
9Comments
Apr 8, 2011 6:03AM
A man kills his mom in the house and the price drops to $1.29 million?? Jeez!! If New Yorkers have that kind of dough to spend on a house, they should come to Illinois, we can offer a much, much larger place for $1.3M!!
Dang!! I should run for Governor!! What's Quinn's problem?? Wait...don't answer that!!!
Apr 8, 2011 5:52AM
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About Teresa Mears
Teresa Mears is a veteran journalist who has been interested in houses since her father took her to tax auctions to carry the cash at age 10. A former editor of The Miami Herald's Home & Design section, she lives in South Florida where, in addition to writing about real estate, she publishes Miami on the Cheap to help her neighbors adjust to the loss of 60% of their property value.
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