Will it be difficult to rent a murder house?

Question

Here is the scenario.

The Good:  Great neighborhood, excellent location, 3 bed/2 baths, nice lot, garage, excellent price.

The Bad: Arson.  The former owner tried to burn it down.

The Ugly: The former owner murdered his wife and then committed suicide as the house was on fire.

I don't believe in any superstitious nonsense, but I'm sure renters do.  I'm looking for a new DIY project and the situation above has presented itself.

Will this rent or will it require a deep discount to fill?

Kirby Davis · Answer

Depends on the market. Are you in a small town where everyone knows everything or a decent size city? If it's a decent size city, I wouldn't hesitate at all. (Side note - I'm from Memphis; if you couldn't rent a house someone was shot in, a significant portion of the houses in the city would be vacant... Ha.) As someone with marketing/business mgmt experience in a Fortune 100 company, I'd also go with this same evaluation criteria - size of city. In a pond, a catfish looks big. In the ocean, it'd be irrelevant. Weird analogy, but you get the point.

Scott Mac · Answer

Hi James,

That would leave a lot of houses in some parts of Chicago vacant.

But if it's in a small-ish town, for a few years is might (or it might not) mean a reduction in rent below market levels.

If that unknown risk factor is bothering you, it might be better to just find another house and sleep well at night.

Good Luck with your decision!

Jarrod Kohl · Answer

I would worry more about the fire than the stigma, but as others have said in a small town it may have an effect.

James Fisher · Answer

Thank you all for the insight!

Will it be difficult to rent a murder house?

Most Popular Reply