Am I wrong to not want to buy a home simply because it overlooks a graveyard

[LynneSin]

I found this really great house. The price range was right in my range and everything about the home seemed just about perfect. My realtor is awesome at finding any potential issues and even she couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Then I went out on the deck and saw that I overlooked a cemetary.

So here is this perfect house in a great neighborhood at a really great price. But it's been on the market for over 160 days and they've even reduced the price once. The only thing I can think is the problem is the graveyard view.

Someone tell me I'm nuts or at least assure me that I'm not crazy for rejecting it because of the graveyard. Hell, I've also rejected a place because the neighbor has a Hummer (and oh, when I did a drive by last night - a pitbull too)

[MonkeyFunk]

1. I love cemetaries

so I'd probably buy it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Wouldn't bother me - guaranteed no one is gonna build a house there.

You will always have that backyard view with no neighbor, and, if there is no fence between you and the graveyard, you have, in a sense, a huge park attached to your house.

But, I can understand that some people get creeped out by cemetaries.

[supernova]

4. That's what I was thinking

Guaranteed view and no neighbors out back. And the ones that are there, won't mind if you walk around in your yard buck naked. ;-) :rofl:

edit: Plus the place is well taken care of, well-manacured. It's not like living next to a derelict vacant lot.

[XemaSab]

41. Neighbors are quiet too

:D

[AngryAmish]

3. You are not nuts

But I would love to have a graveyard as a neighbor. They tend to be real quiet, green and nobody is going to put an IHOP there.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. Would it be possible to build a trellis or something else that would

screen the view? Or is it just the proximity of the cemetary that creeps you out?

[LostinVA]

6. I would -- graveyards are consecrated ground

So, nothing spooky should arise from them.

This makes sense if you're Catholic, was raised Catholic, and have an ounce of Irish blood in you.

The only downfall would be Goth kids hanging out there trying to be cool in a Gothlike way.

[Deep13]

7. That sounds perfect.

No one will ever build a mall or a cluster development there. I like cemeteries, especially old ones. Can't really explain why.

[qanda]

8. My grandfather lived right by a cemetery

He had the quietest neighbors. :-)

[flvegan]

9. A cemetary is an incurable defect.

If you don't mind it, then consider buying it. However, bear in mind that when you go to sell it, you'll have fewer interested parties for the same reason.

[LynneSin]

10. That's exactly what I was thinking

Who wants to buy this home - it's been on the market forever

[Deep13]

14. "it's been on the market forever"

Now's your chance to chisle them down and get it for a song!

[LynneSin]

17. But what's going to happen if I want to sell the place

Not like the cemetary is going anywhere anytime soon.

[Deep13]

28. Having bought it at a chisled price...

...there would be less need to obtain a high price at reslae.

I'm not really trying to convince you one way or the other. I don't know anything about your needs or the house in question. I just like cemeteries myself and would consider it a plus.

[LostinVA]

11. Good point

[stuntcat]

38. yah actually

I was gonna say I'd move there in a heartbeat! But I'd have to want to stay there, it would be harder to sell.

[judaspriestess]

12. if you are uncomfortable now

you will always be uncomfortable. Overlooking a grave yard is bad feng shui. I personally would not buy it due to its stagnant energy.

Best wishes on your decision.

[Deep13]

16. "...due to its stagnant energy"

Yeah, it might breed mosquitoes.

It is no different than any other open field except the openness is a bit restricted by all the headstones.

[judaspriestess]

25. you see it your way, I see it mine

I don't like it and if you do good for you.

on edit: stagnant energy meaning, people going there and releasing their sorrows for their loved ones. As with any energy, it can manifest and affect the people around there with a sorrowful energy. If you don't believe in that then ignore it. I/ME personally believe in it and I am giving my opinion as requested.

[TommyO]

29. Considering that feng shui experts can't agree on how to arrange a specific space

That would be the least of my concerns when considering a property next to a cemetery.

[judaspriestess]

31. good for you

n/t

[MissMillie]

13. I think it's your money and only you can decide

what is or isn't an unacceptable way to spend it.

[TommyO]

15. I wouldn't have a problem with it at all

At least the neighbors are quiet! At least until the next comet or toxic waste release.

[cynatnite]

18. Who wants to walk outside on a beautiful day and see a funeral procession?

I'd probably be hesitant, too.

[jobycom]

19. Nah, it's part of the house, Not crazy. However, I grew up by a graveyard, and it was cool.

The house I lived in from five to fifteen was across the street from a dark, creepy graveyard. Scared the heck out of me. For years I was afraid to go into the front yard beyond the circle of the porch light. (This was out in the woods). But I made myself conquer the fear, going closer and closer to it, and going in it at night. Eventually I was harder to scare than my friends, because of forcing myself to conquer that fear. So I have very fond memories of it.

Eight years ago when we bought a house, we were shown the ugliest, most inappropriate house I'd ever seen. Not enough rooms, too small a back yard, horrible street appeal. But the back yard literally abutted a small, very old graveyard that the subdivision had obviously had to build around. I almost bought the house for that reason alone. Still wish I had--I hated the house we moved into.

But it's preference. If the graveyard bothers you, it does. It's part of the location of the house. On the other hand, if the house has been on the market that long, maybe it's an opportunity to offer a lowball bid and see if they are desperate. Just a thought.

[sarge43]

20. If it makes you uncomfortable, then you're not wrong.

When me and mine were house hunting, I rejected a very nice place just because I felt ill at ease when I was walking around inside. Nothing I could put my finger on, but the place gave me the willies.

As my dear brother used to say, "If it doesn't feel good, don't do it."

[Patiod]

21. Our church's playground is over its graveyard

Quakers are so adamant about the body being nothing but the receptacle for the spirit (plain pine coffins, plain tiny headstones) that when the school wanted to expand the playground, and there wasn't room, they put the playground equipment right over part of the cemetary. Sometimes when I'm out with Sunday school kids, I'll notice a gravestone (about 2" aboveground), and remember where we are. I actually think it's kind of nice - life going on, and these are probably the graves of people who taught Sunday school here themselves 200 years ago.

Having said that, I agree with the posters who said 1) if you're not comfortable with it now,you're unlikely to become comfortable and 2) a lot of people feel the same way, and it might be tough to unload.

Wish I worked in DE and not Phila -- my SO and I would love a deck overlooking the quiet of a cemetery in well-priced house, although the pit bull would be a dealbreaker (especially with a partially-outdoor cat who wouldn't like to become an indoor cat) I've known some nice pit bulls, but I wouldn't want to take the chance with our kitty.

[LynneSin]

24. Wilmington real estate is being overrunned with Philadelphians

Because of the cheap real estate prices & taxes we are getting more folks moving from Philly down to Wilmington. The commute isn't that bad and you can always take Septa in from downtown Wilmington right to center city.

Oh, the pit bull/hummer guy was a different house.

[Patiod]

26. Good point - some colleagues live there & commute

It is do-able. And you can't beat the taxes, that's for sure.

[LynneSin]

39. I pm'd you that graveyard property

The kitchen would probably need to be updated and the garage could barely hold my toyota but everything else was nice about the neighborhood

[Midlodemocrat]

22. Wouldn't bother me. The neighbors would be tres quiet.

[malta blue]

23. I would like to have the cemetary personally.

No noisy neighbors, a quite place for a meditating walk, etc.

[MorningGlow]

27. I would buy it in a heartbeat

For the peace and quiet. Graveyards can be quite beautiful in their own way, too.

If you're concerned about creepiness, contrary to popular opinion/belief/superstition, ghosts don't hang around their graves; they spend time in a place where they had a strong life connection (favorite home, for instance).

[Katina]

30. your home should be a place where you are comfortable

both with the actual house and with it's surroundings. If anything disturbs that to the point of distraction, then the house is not for you. Every home will have it's "issues" from repairs that are needed to neighbor issues, it's up to you to decide how they will make you feel.

I understand the hummer issue and I understand the graveyard issue. If it was my choice, I'd keep looking, but only you know what is right for you.

[Deep13]

32. Make sure the house is well situated to withstand a zombie seige...

...if you decide to buy it. That means entrances that are easily blocked and some high windows permitting an unobstructed rifle shot in any direction. Remember, only a direct hit on the cranium or spinal cord will incapacitate a zombie. Never trade mobility for security. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds cool. If you do survive a zombie attack, make sure at the crack of dawn you look out the window to see if it is safe only to be shot by some yokel sheriff. That would be very poignant, especially in black and white.

I used to work at a cemetery during the summer between high school and college in 1986. I just cut the grass. It was, of course, a dead end job, but at least I had a lot of people under me.

[VLC]

34. Funny. Would plastic sheeting and duct tape do the trick?

I have a lot left over ;-)

[Deep13]

36. Put a couple cans of tuna under the bed too. nt

[DBoon]

33. Wow. A subdivision just for Goths

think of the "niche" marketing opportunities

[stuntcat]

37. *I'd move in

:headbang:

[Shine]

35. Trust your instincts. It's up to YOU. Who am I to say you're "wrong"?

if you feel uncomfortable by a cemetery, and you've determined that the view can't be blocked by anything else, then let it go.

Your home is meant to be a place of comfort, above all.

[deucemagnet]

40. "Quiet neighbors", as they say.

A place next to a graveyard would be a plus, imho.

[Mz Pip]

42. It would have

much less appeal to me than one not by a cemetery.

We found the perfect house years ago; spacious, clean, on a quiet street. A cemetery was across the street. I guess I didn't want to live by a constant reminder of my mortality.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Corgigal]

43. If it was me

I would try to think of anyway I could block the view of the graveyard, in say 5 years. Can adding some fast growing trees work? Certain fencing and other creative ideas. If I couldn't almost block the whole thing within a certain time frame then I wouldn't do it. I don't know about you, but when I finally want to see my home I would like the whole process done and over with in a few months. I wouldn't want to be stuck in a house.

Hell, contact a landscaper and see what they say. Have them come over and see how much it would cost to make your backyard only your peaceful spot. Let me know what you decide.

[Tyler Durden]

44. I live IN a cemetary for about a month and a half.

Very quiet, lots of trees...I recommend it. If you're homeless at the time, that is, and it's not SUMMER and you have good winter backpacking gear that you had before you went broke. Like me.