Well it is not an external obsolescence to me still I have a listing over 4 months now and even though we are under $70K below value no one wants the property, buyers do not want to see the inside as soon they are in the front of the house, it is accross a cementery with HIGH RISE TOMBS... The view from the bedrooms is all creepy ,listing is going to Auction. On my fisrt BPO I made an adjt of $30K for the view and location, last sold was for $304K and $295K my listing is for #227K and NADA nothing....I will say it all depends the location a least here in Miami people cares about it .

external obsolescence: an appraisal term referring to the loss in value attributable to factors outside the property itself, such as changed economic conditions, changes in zoning, and construction of nearby nuisances.

I think that on this case a cementery it is since affect the value of the subject property and is outside the property itself

In areas that were rural at one time, but now have become part of the urban sprawl, you often find family cemeteries that were part of the old family farm. Then the farm is sold for development and the old family cemetery remains. In our area, I have seen that the actual cemetery land, as well as access to that land, remains with the family and has to be untouched by the newly developed tracts housing.

In our area, an old cemetery was discovered when contractors were excavating to build a new bridge over the RR tracks in a local small city. The local authorities then spent a lot of time and money discovering that the land had once been a church (over 100 years ago) that no longer existed. Took 3 or 4 months to get legal approval to finish the excavation, move the remains to another cemetary and start work again.

And on the cemetery subject, there have been burial grounds of some sort around since before recorded time. The famous STONEHENGE in England has existed since about 2500BC, but it was only discovered in the 1920's that it was a burial ground. And here in the US, they are still finding Indian burial grounds, expecially in areas near rivers, when excavation starts on new projects.

My sister has a cemetery right next door - loves it - great place to take walks. They actually thought it was an asset - it was my listing that they bought. Quiet neighbors is exactly why they bought it - plus it was a very cool house.

Just curious about which came first: the house or the cemetery?

I'd say that the existence of a cemetery is certainly a site influence, but if the cemetery pre-dates the house, the value influence should have been reflected on previous valuations.

I think you ask a very smart question and make a good point. Good 'agenting'.

I used to live in a house that backed up to a cemetary. I seem to recall that when I sold it, the appraiser listed it as "external obsolescence". Personally, I thought it was great. I had problems with some of my other neighbors - but not the ones in the back!

In the 25 years I've been in this business most reactions to a cemetery in the back yard are negative.

Cemeteries are like schools, they can be a positive for some buyers and a negative for others. I have a friend who cannot park a vehicle on the street in front of his house as there is a school across the street and there are signs on both sides of the street with no parking from 7:30am to 10:00 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm due to parents picking up their children. To him, that is a huge negative. Other buyers with small children would feel a school to walk to across the street would be a positive.

It can also depend on the grade level of the school. High schools can bring lots of unwanted foot traffic, squealing tires, parking problems, and litter to neighboring properties. Elementary schools also bring neighborhood influences in addition to the snarled traffic of carpooling parents. I once even had a client who did not want to hear the screams and laughter of children during recess...

Thanks, Doin' bpose, for your kind words.

I just had an exterior where the home sat directly across from a power plant sub station. Even though the power company had landscaped the lot you know it's still there and you can hear a buzz. To most its an obsolescence, LA of the property thought it looked like a passive park and desirable. No thanks.

I grew up on a farm and our only neighbour was a cemetery across the road. We loved it because it made for a great game of hide and go seek.