A real estate expert who has appraised some of America’s most famous murder homes has revealed how a violent death can shave up to 25 percent off a property’s value.
So-called ‘Master of Disaster’ Dr Randall Bell – who was consulted on the sale of the California home where OJ Simpson‘s wife Nicole Brown was stabbed – says it usually takes around seven years for a home to recover from the stigma, but some never do.
This week the 1,700-acre family farm belonging to double murderer Alex Murdaugh was put on sale for $3.9million, while the property where child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, six, was slaughtered is selling for $7 million.
It perhaps explains why the University of Idaho recently made the decision to demolish the house where four of its students were slain.
‘Murder homes in rural areas fare worse than those in cities,’ Dr Bell told DailyMail.com.
‘My guess is that’s because it’s more eerie out in the countryside. Urban areas are busy and they have high crime rates and people tend to move on from it.
‘But in rural areas people have more time to sit and think about it.’
He estimates that on average a property’s value plummets by between 10 and 25 percent in the years after a murder. However, he says the market is unpredictable, meaning some sell for full price while others “never recover”.’
What’s more, thrifty buyers on a budget may be inclined to invest in a ‘murder’ house as their deadly histories can provide discounts.
Dr Bell recalls being offered a significant discount on the mansion where 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult were found dead after a mass suicide attempt.
‘It was a really low price but my wife looked at me like I was crazy,’ he said.
Here, DailyMail.com takes a look at the most famous US murder houses – and how their values have been affected as a result.
$7 million estate where JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in 1996
Beauty pageant contestant JonBenet Ramsey was just six years old when she was bludgeoned and strangled to death in her home on December 26, 1996.
Her death came several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind.
Her death was ruled as a homicide but nobody was ever charged in the case.
The home in Boulder, Colorado, was sold to a group of investors for $650,000 in 1998 before being snapped up for $1 million by Tim and Carol Milner in 2004.
But this week the Milners put the house up for sale again for an eye-watering $7 million.
The couple has attempted to sell the property on five different occasions in the past, according to its Zillow listing.
A Zillow advert describes it as a ‘stately and modernized 1920s Tudor estate’ complete with a gourmet kitchen, media room, wet bar, wine cellar, fireplace and half bath.
The property is 7,240 square-feet and is described as being in an ‘unbeatable location.’
Jeffrey Dahmer’s $350,000 childhood home
Serial killer and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer received renewed attention last year following the release of the Netflix series ‘Dahmer’ in September.
The Ohio native was responsible for the rape, murder and dismemberment of 17 young men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
His childhood home in Akron, Ohio, is estimated to be worth $347, 700 by property website Zillow – though it is not currently for sale.
The website estimates the three-bedroom property could be rented for as much as $2, 566 a month.
The home is also where Dahmer committed his first murder – of hitchhiker Steven Hicks. His body was buried in the woods surrounding the property.
The 2,170-square-foot residence was last sold for $244,500 in 2005 to musician Chris Butler. In 2016 Butler made the house available to rent for $8,000 the week of the Republican National Convention.
Records show the owner has attempted to sell it several times – but has failed to bring in any buyers.
Dr Bell said: ‘The Dahmer homes have never been able to shake off their stigma.’
Sorority house where Ted Bundy slaughtered two women
Ted Bundy confessed to 30 murders across seven states between 1974 and 1978 – though experts speculate his true victim count is much higher.
One of his most famous attacks was on a sorority house in Tallahassee, Florida, in January 1978, where he killed Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy. He also bludgeoned Kathy Rubin and Karne Chandler – though they survived.
The Chi Omega house is not currently for sale but Zillow estimates it is worth $191,600.
Public records state it was sold for $63,800 in 2000. It was listed for $68,500 in 2016 but the advert was removed a year later.
The property is described as a 1,900-square-foot single family home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
1,700-acre Murdaugh family farm
The enormous South Carolina hunting farm the Murdaughs called home was put on sale for $3.9million last week.
It is also where Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were shot dead by patriarch Alex on June 7, 2021.
The property is listed with Crosby Land Company. Todd Crosby recently told the New York Post that he has already had offers on the sprawling estate.
The 1,700-acre property is listed as $3,900,000. According to the advert, it boasts four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms as well as a large games room, guest cottage and an enclosed cleaning station with two walk-in coolers.
The advert also referenced 12 dog kennels – the scene where Maggie and Paul’s bodies were found.
The property is also the site where Murdaugh’s longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield died, aged 57, on February 26, 2018. The death was described as a ‘slip and fall’ accident.
The Moselle Farm borders the banks of the Salkehatchie river and has natural amenities including freshwater fishing, kayaking and abundant deer and turkey.
The $53million mega-mansion built on land where actress Sharon Tate was killed
Actress Sharon Tate – who was played by Margot Robbie in Quentin Tarantino’s movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – was murdered along with five friends in August 1969.
Her killing at the hands of a cult led by Charles Manson was one of the grizzliest crimes in American history.
The killings took place in the home of director Roman Polanski.
In the 1990s, its new owner demolished the property and had it replaced with a new mansion called Villa Bella.
The address was also changed from 10050 Cielo Drive, Los Angeles, to 10066 Cielo Drive.
The new property is now a stunning mega-mansion worth $53million – though it is not currently for sale.
Zillow describes it as the an ‘ultra private palatial masterpiece’ boasting nine bedrooms and 18 bathrooms.
There is also a gym, spa, hair salon, billiards room and bar on-site.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
