HGTV Looking for Haunted Houses for new series, "Haunted House For Sale"

I was recently contacted by Sara, a producer at KPI about the "haunted house" I have listed and recently blogged about. Seems they are producing a new series for HGTV called, "Haunted House For Sale." Turns out, my little house in Ogden is not going to work out, but she did ask me to spread the word. Here's the blurb she gave me to share:

KPI, a New York based production company, are currently casting for a pilot episode for HGTV called “Haunted House for Sale.” We are looking to feature 3 haunted houses that are currently for sale anywhere in the US. Each of the 3 stories would include interviews with the seller, the prospective buyer, the Realtor, and a local ghost hunting team who will carry out a night time ghost hunt at the house. These houses must have a reputation for being haunted, with a history of paranormal activity. The house should be currently inhabited or only recently vacated, and in relatively good repair. All filming for the show will be completed in June/July 2010.

If you know of any suitable properties please contact the Producer – Sarah Hodgson: shodgson@kpitv.com or 646-356-0710.

Give her a call if you qualify!

Jennifer Bunker CRS GRI
Broker, Coldwater Creek Properties
Ogden Utah

The Media: One Minute the Economy is Recovering, the Next We're Doomed

I get up about 5:00 a.m. every morning and spend a couple of hours reading the latest news from overnight news outlets. Each day I am amazed at how consistently various media outlets proclaim one of two things; "Housing market collapse is expected to cause a depression any minute now!" or, "The economy is on the rebound, home sales are up a gillion percent!" It never seems to be something in the middle. Something middlishly boring but probably much more accurate like, "Home sales, and as a result the economy, are showing signs of a VERY slow, but hopeful, and correcting recovery."

I am a trained professional in these matters, and yet I'm as confused as anyone else about the outcome in these wobbly times. And actually, it's not even the long range outcome I'm worried about, because I think we will be fine in the big picture. However, it's the getting there that seems so variable and troubling. So many factors, so many opinions, so many spins. What's a regular, struggling family to do?

My answer is, do the same thing our grandparents did when times were tight for them. Tighten your belt, save more, cut out things you really don't need, pay your bills on time, don't incur new bills, and put something aside for a rainy day. Age old advice that we need to hear now more than ever. Like Americans before us, we can and will weather the rest of this storm.

Related Article: As Economy Heals, Many Americans Slipping Back into Old Habits RisMedia

Jennifer Bunker CRS GRI
Broker, Coldwater Creek Properties
Ogden Utah

Ogden City Steps it Up!

Ogden City recently put up a new website, and I have to tell you, I'm impressed. Everything you need or want to know about Ogden, what to do, where to go, how to get around, is there!

Here are some notable quotes from the home page:

* "A playground for adrenaline junkies…" Wall Street Journal, May 2006
* "A stable economy and high ethics from its work force…" The Economist, June 2008
* "The best new place to be…" National Geographic, January 2008

Now that's chops! Check out this gorgeous new website today, and then Get into Ogden!

Jennifer Bunker CRS GRI
Broker, Coldwater Creek Properties
Ogden Utah

My First Haunted House

I recently had the thrill of listing a home built in 1884. Like many homes in central Ogden, at some point mid-century it had been turned from a stately 6 bedroom home to a chopped up 4-plex with 4 kitchens, 4 bathrooms, 6 bedrooms, and 4 living rooms.

It served this purpose well until the early 1990's when dilapidated conditions, and better rent prices down the street shut the structure down for good. The gentleman who owned the property became increasingly elderly and did not visit the home again before his death in 2007. It was his heirs, his adorable daughters, who hired me to assess and sell the property. I was ecstatic to take on the project.

The sisters had never been in the structure, so all three of us went over together. The two-story home had clearly lost most of the upper roof. We also realized that there was no way to ascend to the top floor as the external stairway had long ago rotted away. Despite the condition of the home, it still emanated a stately sense of pride. I could barely wait to get inside.

The inside was a wreck. Water damage had ruined most of the lapin plaster ceilings and walls. Still, there were visible remnants of Victorian style wallpaper, old Victorian fireplaces, and best of all, 2 claw foot tubs sitting in one of the kitchens. My Broker self immediately assessed that showings could be dangerous to agents and buyers alike. In inclement weather, pieces of ceiling could easily cave in and hurt somebody. I made a mental note to require all showing agents to be fully apprised of the situation before entering, and even considered having lookers sign a waiver before going in.

The very creepiest part of the house became apparent to me later, during a subsequent visit. I went in alone, late in the day, to take some pictures before the sun went down. As I entered the house, I had the distinctive feeling that I was not alone. The air was thick with bristling energy as I moved from room to room, simultaneously admiring and mourning the once elegant rooms. I felt closely observed in every room. It was as though I was intruding into some disapproving person's personal, private space.

I wondered if Buyers and other agents would notice this intimidating energy. I still don't know because as of now, I haven't had anybody brave enough to call me to see it. For now the current "tenant" remains undisturbed.

Have you ever been in a haunted house? I would love to hear about it. Someday I'll tell the story about the time I walked into a house where the owner had just died. She hadn't gone very far away because as soon as I walked into the home, I heard her say .... (Stay tuned :-)

Jennifer Bunker CRS GRI Broker,
Coldwater Creek Properties
Ogden Utah