UPDATE. Would you buy this home?

[catinthehat]

Warning my post contains sensitive contents about child abuse. 

We saw a gorgeous home that is a foreclosure. I googled previous owner and found that he was federally prosecuted for child molestation and producing child pornography. Worst part was it was his own daughters and one was adopted. 

When I did a walk though I loved the home but quickly kept thinking of what that monster did and my heart was aching. I two young children and just can't imagine what went on in that home. 

I told my husband I need to think about how I feel. This just all happened this evening. 

Im on my iPad sorry for the poor sentence structure. I can't edit! 


Any thoughts? What would you do? We would have instant equity and is a beautiful home in a gorgeous neighborhood but it has a dark history. 

[mskitkat]

I'd buy it. New carpet, new paint, and you'll make the home yours. If there was a gruesome murder, it would be another story.

[KaraOrNot]

While that is awful, it wouldn't deter me from the house.

[marylou]

I wouldn't buy it. That would weird me out, make me sad, and it would always be "that house" to the neighbors.

[Deleted]

How good a deal is it? Underpriced house in a great neighborhood, I'd probably take it.

[catinthehat]

I do wonder about us living in "that house". It's in an affluent part of town and has a very small town feel. Everyone knows what happened. I have wondered if parents would not want their children to come over and play in our home.

Home value is upwards of 900k-1mil. It's listed for 400k. It was built in 2006 but needs minor repairs like paint, kitchen appliances, landscaping etc but still a very good deal. 

[minniebee]

I think I would buy it.

[catinthehat]

The man got 30 years in prison. He's 55 so I pray he doesn't see the light of day ever again. I had a quick thought of "what if he ever got out? Would he prey on my children because we lived there?"

All sorts of things have run through my head. I currently live in my childhood home and my father passed away here (peacefully). I can handle living in a home if someone died but Im having a tough time with this one. Maybe because it involves innocent children. But the rational side of my brain tells me all sorts of "dark" and horrible things happen in homes. I just don't want to regret my choice. Otherwise it would be my dream home.

[EmilieMadison]

If that's the only thing "wrong" with it, then I'd definitely buy it. But then again, I live in a house that many people have died in and have no problem with it. Even if neighbors see it as "that house" for a while, does that really matter? Why wouldn't the neighbors want their kids to play there? I mean, surely they're not dense enough to think that you condone what happened there, or are child abusers yourselves, simply because you bought it. In a while, even if people do remember what happened, they'll begin to see it as YOUR house.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't buy it.

But...someone I trusted and knew for several years turned out to be a pedo, and the police found several drawings and stories about me in his stuff, and I felt very violated. To live somewhere where a child was actually violated in such a way would depress the hell out of me. I realize it's possible that any house has housed such a monster, but I don't want to know about it.

[Deleted]

I hate to be a downer, but child sexual assault is RAMPANT. It happens all the time, all over the place. It has probably happened in lots of older homes, and it could have happened in your current home. And am I reading it right that you'll have a 50% savings? Do it!

[catinthehat]

I was thinking about talking to a few of the neighbors to see if I can get a more accurate feel of the neighborhood. I thought maybe I could knock on their door introduce myself as an interested buyer and ask their thoughts on the neighborhood, community and home.

I've done this before in other neighborhoods and uncovered important info on schools so I was thinking this could help me gauge things a bit more. Sound weird? What should I ask?

[flatlan]

I think, based on your description of the neighborhood, that the neighbors would be happy that someone moved in and brought a fresh air to the house, rather than thinking that you are "those people" in "that house."

[niq]

Why is it priced so low? Even if it were a distressed sale wouldn't they try to get more than that?

The talking to neighbors idea sounds really smart.

I think in that situation I would buy it and try to do something to the house so it felt and looked like it was "mine" more than the perv's. Landscaping, renovating, whatever.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

$500K of instant equity? Hell yeah, I'd buy it.

The man committed those crimes, not the house.

[Deleted]

Doubtful--Weirdly I am more bothered by that than a if a murder (unless there was torture involved) happened there. It's nothing to do with you but I'd feel bad "profiting" off that circumstance--I just would. Moral of story, don't google.

[jek]

If I loved the house and it was a good price, I wouldn't let this stop me.

[cosmowife]

The price reduction seems too good to be true. There could be other issues with the house, otherwise I have no idea why it would be priced so low.

Other thoughts - was your house budget $400k or $1mil? Because if it was $400k and now you are buying a house worth $1mil, the upkeep of the house might be more than you'd want. For instance, the taxes could go up to an amount based on the full value. Utilities, repairs and maintenance are all going to be much higher than you would pay with a house that is only worth $400k. I found this out when we bought a very big house for cheap - everything is SO much more expensive just due to sheer size.

[jerseyjaybird]

Jan 21, 2013 0:36:17 GMT -5 flatlan said:

I think, based on your description of the neighborhood, that the neighbors would be happy that someone moved in and brought a fresh air to the house, rather than thinking that you are "those people" in "that house."

This would be true in my neighborhood.

Also---this might be too New Age-y for you, but who knows---you can "smudge" a house by burning sage, which is supposed to usher out the bad juju and give you a fresh start. I don't know if that would be meaningful to you (it might just feel silly), but something like that and painting, etc., could help bring you a sense of making the house your own.