9 Creepy Things That Can Tank Your Home Value

Various 'creepy' factors, ranging from a death in the house to proximity to power lines or an unlucky house number, can significantly decrease a home's market value by deterring potential buyers.

• Various 'creepy' factors can significantly decrease home value.

• Deaths, criminal neighbors, and environmental factors like power lines are major deterrents.

• Being aware of these factors can help buyers find discounted homes and sellers prepare for challenges.

A home's value can be negatively impacted by several 'creepy' factors, as identified in an article by Money Talks News. These factors include sensitive issues like a death in the home or a sex offender neighbor, and environmental considerations like nearby cemeteries, funeral homes, power lines, or power plants. Some factors, like a specific house number, are less impactful but still noteworthy to superstitious buyers.

Deaths & Hauntings

• 00:00:47 A death in a house, even a natural one, can make a property difficult to sell, with Business Insider finding real estate agents polled confirming this. States have varying disclosure requirements for deaths in a home, making it crucial for sellers to check local laws. Similarly, alleged hauntings, even if not legally required to be disclosed in some states, can derail a sale, as seen in a 1991 court case.

Proximity to Disturbing Features

• 00:02:44 Proximity to a cemetery or a funeral home can significantly reduce property values; the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found cemeteries drag prices down by about 12%, and funeral homes by 6.5%. While some studies suggest homes near cemeteries might sell for more, they often take longer to find the right buyer. Negative perceptions often stem from traffic, fear of crematorium smoke, spiritual energy concerns, or simply discomfort with living near facilities housing dead bodies.

Undesirable Neighbors & Conditions

• 00:05:03 Having criminal neighbors, especially a registered sex offender, can lower home values, with the National Bureau of Economic Research estimating a 4% drop for homes within a tenth of a mile of a sex offender's residence. Mold in the walls is another major deterrent, as it can be very expensive to remediate and is often hard to detect during standard inspections. While not all mold is toxic, widespread negative press makes buyers wary.

Environmental & Superstitious Factors

• 00:06:51 High-voltage power lines overhead can decrease a home's overall value by approximately 9%, primarily due to being unsightly, although some research disputes this impact. Proximity to a power plant also devalues a home by about 5.3% on average, with the perceived dangers varying by plant type. Lastly, a 'creepy' house number, like 13 or 666, can deter superstitious buyers; British data shows homes numbered 13 sell for roughly $12,273 less.