What makes a property feel creepy?

Mojisola

Contessa wrote: »

I agree that certain houses can feel "creepy" and it would, and has put me off.

When we've bought houses, the "feel" of the property has been very important. We bought the one we're in now because it felt "right" even though there was a lot of work to be done on it.

I would give a house that felt creepy a couple of visits if it's otherwise the perfect place but I wouldn't buy it if the feeling persisted.

zzzLazyDaisy

I viewed 50+ houses looking for my forever home. When I viewed the place I have now, I walked through the door and before I'd looked round I *knew* it was the one... I can't explain how it was, except to say it felt like a welcoming hug! Which was weird because the owners were anything but welcoming and the house was like a bomb site as they'd done lots of improvements, rewiring, new windows etc and not redecorated or made any effort to make it presentable!

Anyway I came out, got in the car and said to my son 'that's the one'... and he replied 'how can you possibly know, you were only in there 15 minutes'.

Later, I learned about the history of the house, how it was built brick by brick by my next-door neighbour and his dad, so the parents could move into the new place and my neighbour and his wife could move into their house and look after them. The parents were married 60 years and adored each other, and my sellers bought it after they'd died but never settled. My lovely neighbour's wife passed away last year, they'd been together 65 years and they also adored each other. They raised 4 children who are adults now, but still speak lovingly of their grandparents and the happy times they spent in my house. And when the apple tree that grandad planted in my back garden fruits, they come and pick 'grandad's apples' for me, and bring me apple pies.

I came to this area knowing no-one, and inherited a whole family (in a good way!). So my feelings about the house were spot on.

You just know when a house is right.... and when it's not.

kyana

If it's unlived in it may be cold and a brief spell of sun may not have been enough to warm it up sufficiently. I imagine this could make it feel off if not creepy.

Better_Days

Thank you everyone for your input on this, very helpful. It is interesting that you mentioned smell. The living room smelt of old cigarette smoke. All the other rooms smelt a bit different, and frankly unpleasant, but with an underlying 'chemical' smell which I wasn't able to identify. Possibly moth balls or a chemical insecticide.

I was wondering if I was over-reacting as one of the symptoms of my illness is an increased sensitivity to smells. I think there may have been some damp or at least condensation when the weather was colder. There were a couple of corners that were mould spotted, but now dry. Nearly all the double glazed windows had condensation between the panes.

Tixy:

Or take a friend / family member to the next viewing that you haven't mentioned the creepy feel to and see if they say anything similar.

This is an excellent idea, I will do this.

Mojisola

I would give a house that felt creepy a couple of visits if it's otherwise the perfect place but I wouldn't buy it if the feeling persisted.

Thank you. I think I am especially aware of the feeling in this property as the previous day we looked at a house that felt just 'right' . Such a shame as it had a very small garden. Will pop over to the thread you have linked to.

FireWyrm - I will check for power lines when we go back for another look, there may well be some nearby. There is an A road a few miles away, but I live nearer to one now and that is not a problem.

Paully232000 - as to knitting sandals - sorry for the cryptic comment, but just meant that I am usually fairly grounded and practical.

Ivana Tinkle - it was very unhomely - know exactly what you mean by the word, but no worse than some other probate properties I have seen.

Contessa - your experience is interesting, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact issue, but I do wonder, if we both picked up on the cumulative effect of some/all of the factors that have been mentioned here which contributed to the uneasiness.

zzzLazyDaisy

I walked through the door and before I'd looked round I *knew* it was the one... I can't explain how it was, except to say it felt like a welcoming hug!

Sounds wonderful.:) I think that I am looking for that certainty and after looking at over 30 houses I am begining to think that it is too much to ask.

kyana - good point, it has been empty for a while. It was lovely and sunny yesterday, and I think it would be an idea to view it on a dull day to see how it seems when there is not so much light and warmth.

Thanks again all, I was mulling it all over and wondering if I was losing my marbles

rickeeee

We viewed a forced repossesion lovely spot and outlook
and that felt really sad.
Discussed it weeks later with our agent (not them selling this particular place ) who told us the house was cursed and whoever lived in it had bad luck happen to them an theirs :eek:
The agent also said they see certain properties come to the market time and time again, as couples split businesses fail etc

Go with your gut feelings,

dodger1

What makes a property feel creepy?

When the mother in law visits :eek::eek::eek:

lessonlearned

If it feels creepy then trust your instincts, however if you still think you like it then make sure to do some research before you plunge headlong in.

My sister went to see the prettiest cottage in a very sort after village. The house has been on the market for an eternity.

My sister said that when they walked up the path to visit the property the gentleman opposite who was pottering in his garden gave her a "sad smile".

When she went into the house she involuntarily shuddered.

The EA looked embarrassed. He looked my sister straight in the eye and said "I'm not going to lie to you, this house has a very sad history".

Apparently a family lived there, couple and their young daughter. They split and divorced, with the wife and daughter remaining in the house.

A few years passed and the wife found a new man. The husband was insanely jealous. He watched them and when he knew that the new man was away on business he broke into the house, killed the wife, tried to kill the little girl, she lived but died later from her injuries and then killed himself.

Sad house indeed.

It has been empty for a long time and it will probably remain so.

My sister said as soon as she stepped over the thresh-hold she just sensed something was very wrong.

omnasia

I would just say be careful. It is probably nothing more than it being empty and unloved but trust your instincts. Our house is unrecognisable now from when we first bought it and with months of work, we have transformed it physically and also it seems to belong to us at last. There are some houses that you just feel at home straight away but it doesn't mean you can't make the other kind into a home.

Better_Days

Thanks rickeeee and lessonlearned. I find that most houses are 'neutral'. But if the occasional one feels 'creepy' and the occasional one feels like the hug zzzLazyDaisy describes, it does make you wonder if the history of a property does linger.

It was strange that both me and the EA picked up on the creepy feeling at the same time. Although DH never noticed a thing when he came back into the hall :rotfl:

lessonlearned, I will do some research into the propery. It is a probate via a solicitor but I will see what I can find out. Will update the thread if anything interesting comes up.

Mayflower10cat

Tixy's suggestion is spot on - take a friend with you who's really down to earth and tell them nothing, just that you want their opinion.
Years ago, searching for our first home back in the late 80's and property was flying, prices rising fast, we viewed a flat in a Victorian house. On a good road, decent size rooms, we could just afford it. Perhaps being vacant posession was a little unusual at that time, maybe that's what it was. There were a few bits of furniture scattered about, oddments of curtains. Viewing it on a lovely bright day, climbing the stairs to a big, sunny landing (hall), it creeped me out good and proper. I tried to rationalise it and couldn't. Most odd, I felt like I kept looking over my shoulder and felt very uneasy at the top of the stairs. Husband was equally silent without me saying anything. We didn't ask the agent why it was on the market as we weren't interested. It did take a few months to sell which was most unusual for that time.
There you go, my creepy story!