So-- we're buying a house... we made an offer, it was accepted and is under contract. We were to close on 9/30. Today, my agent called to tell me that the owner overdosed and died in the house. She said the ball is "100% in our court" about what we want to do.
What would you do?! It's not like we knew the people, so I don't think I will be too creeped out... but, we will always be known as the people who moved in after the guy died. Also, if we decide to move forward, we KINDA want to get it for less money. I know that sounds insensitive, but there is a certain stigma that goes along with living in a house like that.
Thoughts?

How much money do you want to chop off your offer?

My mother always asked our priest to come over to bless the houses before we moved in...and we never had a problem with ghosts.

I don't know... this is just such a strange circumstance. Like how will it effect the closing? He can't sign obviously-- he and his wife were going through a divorce, but not finalized yet, I don't think.
I'm kinda devastated... not sure what to do.

sounds like good timing to me!! chop that offer in half and see what happens.

maybe you can have a seance, and the medium can sign for the deceased owner? (automatic writing). once the medium is paid for her services, you will have found a "happy medium."

Sounds silly to me and more than a little like you're trying to take advantage of someone's grief and misfortune. People die all the time. It would be different if this were a grisly murder or something.

LMT423 What would you do on the closing if you did not know about the over dose and death? I assume you would close. All sorts of things happen in houses over their life time that you do not(sex on the kitchen cabinets, drugs being made and bought and sold, child abuse) know about.Will the death hurt the value of the house or make it hard to sell in the future? That is possible but it depends on how long you will live there.The public does tend to forget over time.If the fact that someone died there freaks you out you may be better off not closing if that is an option for you.Remember people die in hospitals all the time, but would you still go there if you needed care? I am sure your agent or someone from the title company will let you know how it affects the closing.I guess as far as the price is concerned you will have too let your conscience be your guide.


Good luck

This may all be moot ! At a minimum, a delaying factor nonetheless.

Is your P&S Contract binding on the Decedent's Heirs? Who are they?

And why should they even consider a lower price?

Did the Decedant have a Will or did s/he die intestate?

Will Pennsylvania Law require you to now wait for Probate?

I once had a Buyer commit suicide the night before the Closing, and the Sellers tried to force the sale on the Buyer's Heirs; but that effort failed because the Mortgage was written ONLY for the Decedent. No Money = No Sale !

wow, that sounds difficult, since most kitchen cabinets are mounted on the wall. maybe I'm the exception, but I just use the kitchen for preparing food.

But wait! There's always that...uh, well, never mind.

. . . uh, um, uh . . . kitchen island, kitchen counter, utility room counter, bathroom sink counter, um, uh . . .

Yeh, I wouldn't ask to cut the price. The family probably needs every cent they can get to settle up the guy's debts, etc. If you like the house & want it, buy it. If not, as David Knox says when he's doing his best Deepak Chopra imitation, "Just let go." This is a buyer's market here, so lots of of houses available. Probably not too different where you are.

As always, Vermont brings up the best points. Ever.

Some things will depend on how the deed to the house was held. The house will also (probably) go through probate - even if there is a will; where this stuff is handled: If there are heirs, how many to the estate, and where they are located. If there is an executor/executrix to the estate. Are there any liens or mortgages that need to be delt with. Purchase price, should really be about number 5 or 17 on your list of concerns right now. This isn't something that typically will be done in the next nine days.

***I am not a lawyer, and do not play one on TV, this is not legal advice.

Vermont has cut right to the heart of the matter and whether the deceased died with a valid will in place or died intestate (without a will).

Depending upon the prevailing estate law within the jurisdiction of the deceased, the following may be considered.

Whether there is a will or not?

If there is a will does it have to go through the probate process?

If the deceased died interstate, does the State become the official guardian of the estate or can an interested party apply for appointment as administrator of the estate and do they have to post a bond?

Are there any named or unnamed beneficiaries who will be challenging the will?

Are there any creditors who will be filling claims against the estate?

Are there any tax liens due or pending?

There could be a number of unavoidable delays, untill all interested parties are in agreement, before the estate is settled and the real estate transaction completed.

Locally, the estate administer, executor/executrix/trustee, etc. has up to three years in which to settle the estate, which could be extended if litigation is involved.

In the event you have entered a binding contract and the estate is willing to proceed upon the terms of that contract and you decline to proceed, then that may be interpreted as a breach of contract together with any legal liability emanating therefrom.


Important Notice: This information is provided as basic educational information by the author and is not a substitute for the advice of an expert and/or the advice of a lawyer. There is NO representation as to legality, accuracy, correctness of the herein information and the reader is strongly urged to consult a lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction to ensure accuracy before acting on this information .