Some homes, despite their eerie reputations, have commanded prices exceeding $1 million. However, as time passed, their values diminished significantly, potentially influenced by changing housing markets, neglect, or the chilling tales of paranormal activities associated with them.
Haunted Homes: From Million-Dollar Listings to Reduced Values
The storyline of unsuspecting individuals discovering their new home is haunted is a common trope in horror movies. But what if this were a reality?
Some houses with haunted histories have managed to maintain or increase their value due to their notoriety, attracting curious tourists and horror enthusiasts. However, others have seen drastic reductions in their market worth, possibly due to their reputations scaring off potential buyers or the neglect they suffered.
Exploring the Price Histories of Haunted Properties
By examining records from Zillow, we can track the fluctuating prices of some of America’s most infamous haunted houses. While these properties were once valued at over $1 million, they have since seen significant decreases in their market values.
The Amityville Horror House
Known as the Amityville Horror House, 112 Ocean Avenue in Long Island, New York, gained notoriety after a mass murder in 1974. Despite being listed for $1.15 million in 2010, it eventually sold for $950,000. In 2017, it fetched $605,000, considerably less than its initial listing price.
Charming Forge Mansion
The Charming Forge Mansion in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, built in 1784, boasted a listing price of $2.5 million in 2009. However, it struggled to find a buyer and eventually sold for $650,000 in 2019, after multiple listings over a decade.
Franklin Castle
Cleveland’s Franklin Castle, considered one of Ohio’s most haunted places, faced a similar fate. Despite its storied history and renovations, it sold for $260,000 in 2011, down from $350,000 in 1999.
LaLaurie Mansion
The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, infamous for its dark past, saw a decline in its estimated value from $2.1 million in 2010 to approximately $910,527 in 2020.
The Pillars Estate
Located in Albion, New York, the Pillars Estate, valued at $1 million in 2015, eventually sold for $450,000 in July 2020, experiencing a significant drop in value.
The Sallie House
The Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas, known for its ghostly reputation, faced challenges in the market, with its price dropping from $1 million to $499,900 within a year.
Highland Cottage
Once serving as a mental hospital, Highland Cottage in Ossining, New York, had a chilling history attributed to its transformation into a psychiatric facility. However, its value has likely diminished over the years.
Conclusion
Haunted houses, despite their intriguing pasts and potential for tourism, often struggle to maintain their market value. Whether due to superstition, neglect, or changing market dynamics, these properties serve as reminders of the fine line between allure and apprehension in the real estate world.
