A majority of home buyers, amidst the sky-rocketing prices in the housing market, are considering purchasing haunted houses, according to a recent survey conducted by Zillow Group Inc.
The survey, which included 901 recent home buyers and 993 prospective buyers, sheds light on the extreme compromises Americans are willing to make in today’s housing market.
Haunted house for sale?
Astonishingly, 67 percent of potential home buyers stated that they would be willing to tolerate some spirits if the house fulfilled all their requirements.
The study revealed that more than one-third of prospective buyers would consider buying a haunted house if the price was lower.
Additionally, 40 percent of home buyers expressed a similar sentiment if the house boasted sought-after features like a spacious backyard, a pool, or a two-car garage.
Perhaps the most surprising finding was that 12 percent of recent home buyers were convinced that their own homes were genuinely haunted.
This speaks volumes about the lengths people are willing to go to secure a property in the midst of the current housing market crisis.
Manny Garcia, a senior population scientist at Zillow, commented on the situation, stating, “‘The combination of high prices, limited inventory, and rising interest rates is creating a witches’ brew of trouble for would-be homeowners.”
A haunted house for sale is attractive in this market
The impact of sky-rocketing house prices and mortgage rates is evident.
Within the past two years, home loans have more than doubled in cost during this Halloween season.
30-year mortgage rates reached a staggering 23-year high last week at 7.63 percent, compared to the relatively lower 3.1 percent recorded in October 2021.
As a result, home prices have surged by nearly 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, exacerbating the challenges faced by potential buyers.
Remarkably, the survey revealed that almost 30 percent of prospective buyers would be more inclined to purchase a home if it were haunted.
A haunted house for sale is better than buying a home used as a meth lab
The seller of a condemned home that was used as a meth lab is hoping that sentiment extends to the dwellings of convicted criminals.
The California home that had been discovered as a meth lab in March is now up for sale at a staggering price of $1.55 million.
Situated in Silicon Valley’s San Jose area, this property is being sold in its current state, including the deactivated meth lab.
It’s worth noting that the house’s additional features include an unsightly chain link fence, with warning signs labeling it as “condemned.”
Following the arrest of the previous owner, the authorities deemed the residence unsafe for occupation, but that didn’t deter hungry realtors from putting the home up for sale.
Listed on the Keller Williams Realty site, this 2,743-square-foot home offers potential buyers a “Great Opportunity to own a large home on a large 6,000sqft lot.”
It’s important to mention that the property has not been cleared of meth contamination and will be transferred to the new buyer in its current state.
The former owner, Peter Karasev, 35, was arrested for housing explosive materials, firearms, and narcotics within the premises.
FBI agents revealed that highly explosive chemicals, intended for bomb-making, were stored dangerously close to his wife and three young children.
In connection with his arrest, Karasev disclosed his interest in building model rockets and expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
However, investigating officers found evidence of homemade bombs, which he allegedly used to target PG&E transformers in the San Jose area, while he was actively using methamphetamines.
While the listing agent claims the property is a “great opportunity,” local realtor Zaid Hanna told KRON 4 that making the home safe and livable isn’t worth the price.
“Somebody will have to come and rip out the flooring, the sheet rock, insulation … so you’re looking at about $200,000 to $300,000 to bring this back to where it needs to be,” he remarked.
Coupled with the hefty $1.5 million price tag, Hanna said buyers should look elsewhere.
