People would rather buy a house where a murder has taken place than one that has signs of damp or cracks in the walls or a shared garden, new research has found.
While 58% would indeed be put off a property where there had previously been a murder and 44% would reject a home with reported paranormal activity, buyers are more concerned about what could be considered less onerous issues.
For example, the research by regulated property buyer Good Move, suggests that noisy neighbours is the biggest worry with 85% of people polled saying signs that neighbours would be a nuisance would put them off buying.
It also found that 76% would be more concerned about a short lease, 75% about signs of damp, 73% about a shared garden, and 73% about cracks in the walls.
Other issues raised including 70% being put off by a front door opening onto a main road, 69% about no parking, 66% about no garden, 63% about smells and 62% by busy roads nearby.
Although over 40% of buyers say they would not be put off by the fact that a murder had taken place in a property, the survey also found that, if this were the case, they would expect the property to be reduced by 32% of its market value.
They would also expect at discount of 30% for paranormal activity, 25% for being next to a cemetery.
‘Although everyone has a different idea of the perfect home, it’s clear from our survey that certain things will put off most people,’ said Ross Counsell, director at Good Move.
‘On the bright side, some of these put-offs are easy to address, so if you are looking to sell your house, make sure you sort out small things like cracks and damp. These actions can make a huge difference and help you to make your house more attractive to buyers,’ he added.
