Category: General

13 of the Scariest Haunted Houses in America

As Halloween season quickly approaches, thoughts turn to the supernatural, the undead, and the downright creepy. But, really, regardless of the season, is there anything scarier than a haunted house?

From coast to coast, homes that boast a little paranormal activity abound, attracting curious ghost-hunters who hope to catch a glimpse of someone or something from the great beyond.

There’s still time to plan a spooktacular road trip. Let’s take a look at some of the most legendary haunted houses you may want to check out this season. Read on if you dare.

1. Amityville Horror House

 

What took place inside this Long Island estate is so chilling, it inspired a book and multiple films. In 1974, six members of the DeFeo family were found shot to death inside this stately home. Ronald DeFeo Jr., 23 at the time of the brutal killings, was later convicted of murdering his parents and four siblings.

Though the home sold a year after the grisly killings, the new owners quickly moved out citing unusual odors, sudden, unexplainable cold drafts, and a ghost that appeared to be half-demon-half pig.

But despite all that bloody history, the five-bedroom waterfront home has had numerous owners since. It was back on the market in 2016, listed at $850, but sold in February of 2017 for $605,000.

2. Myrtles Plantation

 

This otherwise-attractive plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana is considered to be “one of the most haunted houses in America.” Since it was built in 1797, the sprawling southern estate has been home to multiple owners as well as countless deaths and murders.

Today, visitors have an opportunity to take a day or evening tour, or even stay over at the bed and breakfast for a chance to sample a side of the occult with their coffee and pastries. Legend has it that in addition to ghost sightings, a grand piano has been known to play sans musician, and furniture has rearranged itself. Definitely intriguing.

3. The Joshua Ward House

 

Located in Salem, Massachusetts, one of the most haunted locales in the United States, the Joshua Ward House has earned a reputation for inhabiting the spirit of none other than George Corwin, the High Sheriff during the Salem Witch Trials. Corwin, aka “the Strangler,” is said to be responsible for the gruesome killings of more than a dozen men and women he suspected of practicing witchcraft. Legend has it, Corwin’s body was buried in the basement of the three-story Federal style brick house.

Visitors say Corwin and the ghost of one of the warlocks he killed at this location haunt this home.

4. The LaLaurie House

 

New Orleans’ French Quarter is home to the LaLaurie Mansion, where a socially prominent couple, Dr. Louis and Delphine LaLaurie, lived with their daughters during the 1830s. It was inside this three-story Creole mansion that Delphine reportedly tortured slaves, causing one to jump to her death.

The house, which was owned by actor Nicolas Cage from 2007 to 2009, is said to be haunted by screams of terror emanating from the ghosts of Delphine’s slaves.

If this tale sounds familiar it may be because it was popularized in the TV show “American Horror Story: Coven.”

5. The Lemp Mansion

 

Life magazine named the St. Louis-based Lemp Mansion one of the America’s most haunted houses in 1980. Built in the 1860s, it was the home of brewing magnates who had a history of suicide in the family. In fact, three are said to have died inside the home, which currently houses a restaurant where murder mystery dinner theater takes place. Paranormal tours are offered as well.

6. Franklin Castle

 

This Queen Anne-style Victorian is known as the most haunted home in Ohio. While he lived there, Hans Tiedermann, a German immigrant, lost multiple children under mysterious circumstances. Despite the charm of the exterior, the Cleveland-based home is said to be filled with spirits.

7. The Lizzie Borden House

 

Located in Falls River, Massachusetts, the Lizzie Borden house is where, in 1892, Borden was believed to have murdered her father and step-mother with an axe in their home. Though she was acquitted, Borden was never able to shake her reputation as a cold-blooded killer.

Those who are brave enough can visit this home, now a bed and breakfast, and stay in the room where the couple slept or the room where Borden’s step-mother was found after the grisly murder.

8. The Kreischer Mansion

By Thomas Altfather Good (Original Work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This Staten Island, New York home has been the site of multiple deaths, including a suicide and a murder. The otherwise-charming Victorian is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died within its confines. Despite its history, the home, set on five acres, was listed at $9.5 million in 2016. Ghosts included.

9. The Logan Inn

 

This Bucks County, Pennsylvania inn reportedly receives frequent visits from its most famous ghost, Emily, the daughter of a previous owner, who lived in room 6 and died in that very room as well.

Capitalizing on its haunted history, the inn hosts monthly dinners featuring a medium who delivers messages from beyond. Intrepid guests can spend the weekend and even sleep in room 6 where visitors have noted the scent of smoke, which could be attributed to the military men who once stayed there during the 1700s, and flowers, a favorite decoration of Emily’s.

10. Winchester Mystery House

 

Filled with dark passages and spider web windows, this home in San Jose, California has had millions of visitors pass through its spooky hallways. Guests can take part in a Friday the 13th flashlight tour or a Halloween candlelight tour and see if they discover any of the phenomenons that have made the house infamous with mystery lovers and fans of unique architecture alike.

11. The Whaley House

 

This Old Town San Diego-based home is said to be among the most haunted in the U.S. as it’s the site where a northern criminal named Jim Robinson was hanged. To this day, he’s said to haunt the home, which you can tour — if you’re feeling brave.

12. The Octagon Museum

 

Known for its innovative architecture and beautiful but haunted spiral staircase, the Octagon Museum in Washington D.C. is said to be haunted by at least two ghosts. One is believed to be Dolly Madison, while the other is the daughter of a colonel who fought with her father about her love for a British soldier and fell to her death in that famous staircase.

13. Culbertson Mansion

 

Located in New Albany, Indiana, this stunning mansion will have you swooning over that Mansard roof, but what lurks inside? Well, for starters, there’s occupied coffin in the cellar. Creeped out yet? Even scarier, lightening struck the property’s carriage house in the 1880s, killing everyone inside. Those who lost their lives are said to haunt the place ever since.

Brave souls who aren’t frightened by ghosts can rent the space for balls or even tea parties. Or, simply take a tour and revel in the architecture and perhaps the supernatural.

by megpachas

Have a Bankruptcy on Your Record? Here’s What to Know About Buying a Home

There’s no denying that bankruptcy is a serious financial challenge. But filing for bankruptcy doesn’t have to keep you from successfully applying for a mortgage; you just need to know how to navigate the process.

So how, exactly, do you do that?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined tips for people who are looking to buy a home following a bankruptcy, including:

  • Understand you may need to wait. Most people will have to wait a certain stretch of time after filing for bankruptcy to apply for a mortgage—which can range from one year (for FHA loans) to two to four years (for traditional lenders). If you’ve recently filed for bankruptcy, do your research to see how long your lender will want you to wait before they’ll consider your loan application.
  • Take the time to build back up your credit. Filing for bankruptcy negatively impacts your credit score—so you’ll want to do everything you can to build it back up before applying for a mortgage. Apply for a few revolving lines of credit, pay your bills on time every month, and keep your balances low to help boost your score.
  • The more documentation you can provide, the better. If you filed bankruptcy due to an unforeseen, negative, or extenuating circumstance that kept you from being able to pay your bills—such as a serious illness or the death of a spouse—lenders may be more willing to work with you. Before you apply for your home loan, write a detailed letter explaining the circumstances behind your bankruptcy, and then submit that letter with documentation supporting your claims (like a note from your doctor or a death certificate).
by megpachas

Low Mortgage Rates + High Home Values: Should You Tap Into Your Home Equity Right Now?

Low Mortgage Rates + High Home Values: Should You Tap Into Your Home Equity Right Now?

If you own a home, there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a nice chunk of equity. According to this report from Black Knight, the average homeowner got a $48,000 bump in their home value, raising the average equity to $185,000 in 2021.

Considering mortgage rates are still historically low, and home values are high, it can be tempting to tap into your home like it’s an ATM. With hints of rates going up, and values potentially coming down, it can be even more tempting to rush and pull equity out of your house.

Before you do, consider whether or not you should. Take a look at some reasons to tap into your equity, and some reasons not to pull money out of your house:

Good Reasons

  • Home improvements
  • College costs (if the rate is lower than student loan rates you can obtain)
  • Debt consolidation (if you manage credit well and can use it to lower your payments)
  • Emergency expenses
  • Wedding expenses
  • Business expenses

Not So Good Reasons

  • Vacations
  • Buy a car
  • Risky investments (like “hot” stock tips you read online)
  • Pay off credit cards (if it is a recurring problem)

If you determine it makes sense to turn your equity into cash, you have a few options:

Cash-out Refinance

This type of loan allows you to refinance your home for a higher amount than you currently owe, and take the difference in cash. For instance, you owe $100,000, take out a $150,000 loan, and get $50,000 cash. This can be a great option if your current mortgage is at a rate that is higher than current rates, or you have paid down your original loan substantially over time.

Home Equity Loan

These are a second mortgage on your home, usually at a higher rate than the first. Lenders may also be a bit more careful about how much they will lend, since these take second position to your original mortgage if the home is foreclosed on.

Home Equity Line of Credit

These are commonly referred to as a “HELOC.” They’re also a second mortgage, but in the form of a revolving line of credit, much like a credit card. The rate is often variable and fluctuates with changes in the market, but you can find some that are fixed-rate.

The Takeaway:

The current market conditions are favorable for tapping into your home equity if you have a good amount of it. If you decide to do so, just make sure it’s for a good reason. Try not to take out too much equity. Maintaining 20% equity is an ideal benchmark — taking into consideration that values could also drop a bit in the near future — so be safe when estimating how much you’re taking out.

No matter what your reason, only do so if you know you can handle the payments and it won’t put your hard-earned equity and home at risk. And, as always, make sure to seek the advice of your financial advisor, estate planner, and / or real estate agent before turning the equity in your home into cash.

by megpachas

Recently Married? Here Are the Mortgage Tips You Need to Know

You’re recently married. Congratulations! If you’re like many newlyweds, the next thing on your agenda is probably buying a house—and, in order to do that, you may need a mortgage.

But, as a newly-married couple, what do you need to know about successfully getting a mortgage?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined key mortgage tips and insights newlyweds should keep in mind as they search for their dream home, including:

  • Review your finances. Before you jump into the home search process, it’s important to understand where both you and your partner stand financially. Sit down and discuss your credit scores and outstanding debt, as both will play a major role in your ability to secure a mortgage.
  • You don’t necessarily have to put both names on the mortgage. If you have excellent credit and little debt, but your partner is in a less ideal financial position (or vice versa), you might want to consider only having one half of your partnership apply for a mortgage; that way, one person’s credit score or debt won’t negatively impact your loan terms (for example, higher interest rates). And don’t worry; as long as both names are on the title, you both own the house—regardless of whether both spouses are on the mortgage.
  • If an interest rate seems too good to be true, it probably is. As newlyweds, you and your partner want to get the most competitive interest rate possible for your mortgage. But if a mortgage rate seems too low to be true, it probably is. For example, there are lenders out there that will offer a super-low interest rate—but also super harsh penalties for late payments, which could put you in a financial bind if you’re ever late with your mortgage payment. If you get offered a loan with a so-low-it’s-hard-to-believe interest rate, it could be a red flag—so make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions before moving forward.
by megpachas