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Original poster

Could you buy a house someone had died in tragically?

145 replies

Mirrorballparade · 25/05/2023 19:10

Have the opportunity to buy a house with below market price. Likely to be at a good price for a four bed detached in our area but has a “bad” history if you like. it could do with renovation.

Last year, a young woman was killed in the house in a domestic incident and years before a young lad had committed suicide. My parents are local and knew the young lad and his family who owned the property but not the young woman who was renting.

Now, DP is keen to go for it as it’s unlikely that we would ever get a house the same size at a similar price and that you would struggle to find a house these days someone hadn’t died in but I am hesitant. We are also thinking of starting a family soon so can houses carry bad vibes? the house is also known locally as a bit of a spooks place so there’s that as well!

OP posts:
SophiaElizabethGrace · 25/05/2023 19:28

It wouldn't bother me at all.

Rockschooldropout · 25/05/2023 19:29

It’s a nope from me - I would never be able to remove the association from my mind - but I’m a huge overthinker

Soubriquet · 25/05/2023 19:30

Yeah I could. If I didn’t know the people who had lived there, I would absolutely live in a house with a bad past. Especially if it was cheap for what it’s worth

Soubriquet · 25/05/2023 19:32

We have the so called twilight killers locally.

Im not entirely sure what happened to their house. It was a council property so I’m sure it’s been rented out pretty quickly

Thursdayafternoon · 25/05/2023 19:33

I would never have bought our house if I knew the history.

it was built in 1980 and the previous two families had tragic deaths in it (not murder- both very tragic cancer deaths). We had been here about three years when we found out about the most recent one (from a neighbour) and found out about three years after that about the one before (when we tried to return some bank information- turned out to be a long forgotten account containing a lot of money that belonged to the deceased- on that occasion the immediate family wouldn’t come to the house to collect it as it held so many unhappy memories).

we’ve been here ten years. Never felt anything remotely wooo and the house doesn’t seem to have any negative energy.

FunkyMonks · 25/05/2023 19:33

No from me as well don't care how much of a bargain it is I just would feel depressed and unhappy knowing the dark history of the house.
I'd also worry that the house was cursed or something to have had someone commit suicide there and then years later someone murdered.
But perhaps that's all the horror films coming out at me 🤣.

Thingamebobwotsit · 25/05/2023 19:36

If it was the only place to buy then yes, maybe. But probably not if I had choice, even if it meant a smaller property. I don't think I would want the association. For me my home needs to be my happy space. Having said that we did buy a property where someone had died in the bath. Was the first thing we ripped out 😁

User565394 · 25/05/2023 19:38

the people that live in the “murder house"

A girl in my primary school was horribly teased about living in "the murder house" in my home town. Her family had bought the house a few years after a husband shot and killed his wife in it. So for that reason alone I wouldn't. She had nightmares, spent time staying with grandparents, her family eventually moved out and rented elsewhere. Her parents live there now but she never stays over.

aSofaNearYou · 25/05/2023 19:38

It would put me off if I had options but honestly I'd have to think with my head if it was an otherwise unreachable opportunity.

wheresmymojo · 25/05/2023 19:41

No. Mainly because I think I'd be prone to dwelling on their last day / moments and I don't think that would do my mental health or general happiness levels any favours.

wheresmymojo · 25/05/2023 19:45

I think whether I had DC would be influential too...

It's one thing being an adult and choosing to live in the 'murder house' - it's another to be a child or teen with the usual overactive imagination and find out that's where you live.

Itsdaftasabrushwithnohandle · 25/05/2023 19:46

Yes. I'd feel sad for what had happened there but it isn't my fault is it? And house prices are extortionate-I'd be sure to grab a bargain when it came along!

Jellykat · 25/05/2023 19:47

No i couldnt, having lived and worked in houses that felt really bad, including a Workhouse.. i wouldnt choose to again.

JeandeServiette · 25/05/2023 19:49

TBH, I think the biggest concern would be that your spouse is clearly a rationalist and you are prone to woo-woo thinking.

That's bound to cause issues.

EarringsandLipstick · 25/05/2023 19:51

JeandeServiette · 25/05/2023 19:49

TBH, I think the biggest concern would be that your spouse is clearly a rationalist and you are prone to woo-woo thinking.

That's bound to cause issues.

OP clarified it's not about the 'woo' at all. As would be the case for many people. It's simply the dark associations.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 25/05/2023 19:52

I live on a road where houses sell in a day. It’s still crazy with houses round here.

The one where a guy hung himself isn’t selling. It’s been dropped and dropped in price since October of last year. 2 houses very close by sold in a day. It’s priced 100k lower than the others but still no one is buying it.

roses2 · 25/05/2023 19:54

I don't think I could relax and every creak at night would haunt me. Not one but two people died in the house you're considering!

HotelNotPortofino · 25/05/2023 19:55

LaMaG · 25/05/2023 19:21

Went to a viewing a few years ago, it had remained untouched due to Bank repossession I think. The word whore was painted in red paint over the bed. The doors had been smashed in like with an axe and there was evidence of a rampage, curtain poles pulled down etc. A heartbreaking little girls and boys room beautifully decorated but trashed. Terrifying to see. BUT good price and good location so we put an offer in anyway... never got it though. So yes I'd go for it

So did you keep the whore graffiti above your bed?

because this would go beautifully with it.

Could you buy a house someone had died in tragically?
Borkled · 25/05/2023 19:56

We only don’t live in the “murder house” because they didn’t accept our offer. There was no sort of bad vibes in the house it was very pleasant.

Seaitoverthere · 25/05/2023 20:01

No I wouldn't. I don't have an issue with the fact people died there as is common in old houses and I know from records that someone died in current house and one we are moving to.

I don't like the idea of the circumstances, I think I would find it hard not to think about them .

gardendream · 25/05/2023 20:01

Hmm I’m torn on this. I think it would all boil down to the feeling I got when I looked round the house, but just as it would with any other house.

My husband committed suicide while we were in my current house (not in the house, but the neighbours know) and I initially wanted to move, but I couldn’t face the upheaval for a long time and have put a lot of love into making the house my own - redecorating etc - and piecing my family back together. It feels like a happy home now.

I’m not sure about woo, but I think it’s all about the feelings something evokes in you, and that’s all down to your own baggage. I firmly believe you can clean up your emotional baggage, but for me, being happy and comfortable in your home is a big element of the emotional safety you need in order to feel secure enough to clean up your baggage.

LaMaG · 25/05/2023 20:03

@gardendream I'm so sorry to hear that

babyboyjune23 · 25/05/2023 20:03

Have you actually been to view the house yet, OP? The reason I ask is, I'm an incredibly matter of fact person, as is my DH- and always said a house with a tragic history would never put me off and that I didn't believe in any 'bad vibes' etc. HOWEVER, we went to view a house last year completely unaware that the husband had severe mental health issues for years in it and resultantly had hanged himself from the loft (the stairs of which we had climbed when viewing!) We luckily found out before offering from a friend. We both have terrible nightmares about the house now and I have to say it left me feeling really really unexpectedly uncomfortable and odd! I would also be very concerned about resale.

JeandeServiette · 25/05/2023 20:03

OP clarified it's not about the 'woo' at all. As would be the case for many people. It's simply the dark associations.

Her question in the OP was whether houses can "carry bad vibes". Sounds about as woo as you can get.

blueshoes · 25/05/2023 20:07

babyboyjune23 · 25/05/2023 20:03

Have you actually been to view the house yet, OP? The reason I ask is, I'm an incredibly matter of fact person, as is my DH- and always said a house with a tragic history would never put me off and that I didn't believe in any 'bad vibes' etc. HOWEVER, we went to view a house last year completely unaware that the husband had severe mental health issues for years in it and resultantly had hanged himself from the loft (the stairs of which we had climbed when viewing!) We luckily found out before offering from a friend. We both have terrible nightmares about the house now and I have to say it left me feeling really really unexpectedly uncomfortable and odd! I would also be very concerned about resale.

But you did not have any vibes when you viewed the house, only after your friend told you? It is still a valid reason not to buy just wondering whether you noticed anything during the viewing.