Haunted House For Sale
I have just had the following e-mail request from a company that has a haunted house to auction.
I have just had the following e-mail request from a company that has a haunted house to auction.
[quote]Hello we are a property auctioneers and have had someone enquire about selling a haunted property it is at present a care home but would make a lovely B&B, we have had several examples of happenings inside and have been told it was once a Victorian workhouse we are keen to help sell this property but as it is a little unusual should we say and we are not sure the best way to market the property, could you please help.[/quote]
This raises a few questions in my mind. Would tagging a property as haunted improve the price or drive it down? As the existence of “supernatural activity” has not been scientifically proven yet, does describing a building in a sale as being haunted leave you open to being sued?
Any ideas on the best way to market one?
Hmm
Why would it leave you open to being sued? If someone bought it for that sole purpose and nothing happens? Is that what you mean?
I suppose you don’t play up the supernatural tendencies, and just add words like supposedly, or even better reputedly. Or use phrases such as unexplainable events etc. As the person says, would make an excellent B&B; then maybe this is the market to go for?
Not sure, to be honest I know diddly-squat about the property market.
A disclaimer
Personally i would pick a middle road and add a disclaimer somewhat like this:
"Attention! Some believe this property to be haunted! We (the sellers) are not responsible for either the presence of any seemingly supernatural manifestation or the lack of it. Signing the contract means you full accept all implications etc." Not it’s a good lawyer’s turn.
Might be an idea to wait
Might be an idea to wait until ‘The Haunting in Connecticut ‘ has finished at the cinemas, judging by the trailers.
Difficult one as it is subjective depending on the evidence but it probably needs to be put into any info given to potential buyers???possibly?
I suppose if wierd things happen and the new owners claim the house is haunted and were not told by the sellers, who had prior knowledge, it could possibly have legal implications whether it would stand in court is another matter though.
Unseen Disclosure
Depending on location: some areas require notice of Haunting as part of full disclosure before a property sale.
Summum Nec Metuam Diem Nec Optima
I believe in Scotland,
I believe in Scotland, sellers have a duty to let buyers know of any issues with the house. Not sure how this is worded exactly, but you have to include things like issues with neighbours, as well as structure, etc.
I think this is a bit of a grey area until someone actually buys a house and finds it to be haunted and successfully sues for non-disclosure of a haunting. Of course to do that, you have to prove that ghosts exist first. If you prove that, you would then have to prove that your contract with the seller was breached.