A young couple in rural Victoria, Australia, are weighing the decision to purchase their potential "forever home" for $949,000, despite discovering it was the site of a recent murder-suicide.
The four-bedroom property in Hernes Oak, listed in early October, has attracted the attention of the couple who are looking to raise their children there. However, the selling agent disclosed that the previous owners, Aaron Hammond, 46, and Chamindika Jayawardena, 47, died in an apparent murder-suicide in March.
According to the house hunter, one partner shot the other before turning the gun on themselves. The couple did not have children. The property is being sold by a family member on behalf of the estate. Following the deaths, the home underwent a "full forensics" clean, and new carpet was installed.
In Victoria, real estate agents are legally required to disclose material facts about a property's history, including if a serious violent crime occurred there. Failure to comply can result in penalties.
While the couple themselves are reportedly comfortable with the property's history, they are concerned about how it might affect visitors. "My partner and I are okay with it, but we're more worried about how it would affect our kids and other people being uncomfortable about visiting," the woman shared. She also expressed concern about how their children might react when they learn about the property's past as they get older.
The dilemma has sparked discussion online, with varied opinions on whether a home's dark history would deter potential buyers. Some commenters stated they would not be put off by such a history, especially if the price reflected it, while others expressed that they personally could not live with the daily reminder of a violent event. Some shared anecdotes of living in or near properties with grim histories, noting varied impacts on value and perceived "energy."