Current Events > buying a house, previous owner died of natural causes. tell my parents about it?

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Hey folks, I'm in a major dilemma and i need advice on what I should do. I've already talked about this with my realtor and asked for her advice. I've searched google and read about this topic in forums.

I've been looking to buy a house since October 2017. Made 2 offers, but both were rejected because the seller decided to go with the best offer on the table, which are cash offer.

But anyways, I found a house that I might like base on the pictures. The disclosure of the house was that the previous owner died of natural causes. California law mandates this kind of disclosure for 3 years after the death occurs when the house is being sold.

Dying is a natural process, and I'm not very superstitious about it despite the fact I was raised in a very religious catholic household. In fact it does not bother me at all.

On the other hand My parents are first generation Filipino immigrants, and extremely traditional. they are very religious and superstitious, i know for a fact if I tell my mom that I'm making an offer on this house, and also tell them, "oh by the way, the previous owner died of natural causes, just letting you know", oh man my mom would have a fright and have a heart attack. That's how old school traditional she is. she doesn't listen to reason.

My approach is that I won't disclose it to them, go see the house with my mom tomorrow, but I wont tell them the disclosure, and if i like it, make an offer.

The other argument is to be honest and say the previous owner died of natural causes. But this will probably end up with me and my parents arguing in a disagreement. And I don't wanna cause any heartaches because no matter how much I show them the facts, they will not see it my way.

What do you folks think I should do. whats the best way. the housing market is so hot right now, inventory is limited. and it's hard to find a good house coz they get sold so fast. i'm telling myself to just pass on this house and keep looking.
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Every home has been owned by someone that's died of natural causes. Do your parents expect you to live under a bridge?
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A_Good_Boy posted...

Every home has been owned by someone that's died of natural causes. Do your parents expect you to live under a bridge?

That's not true. Some people buy newly constructed homes and then have to sell them after a few years for whatever reason. There are plenty of homes that have not been owned by someone that's died.
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Filipino Rebellion posted...

My approach is that I won't disclose it to them, go see the house with my mom tomorrow, but I wont tell them the disclosure, and if i like it, make an offer.

See the house without telling your mom. Besides, you can't properly get a feel for the place just from the pictures. View the house with an open mind, see if you like it.

If you decide to get it, maaaaybe tell your mother about it but not immediately. After you've all settled in the house and stuff. My take on it is that if you're comfortable with the house even with the knowledge the previous owner died in it, it should be fine.

(As long as it was a natural death and not a violent murder I personally wouldn't mind it)
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I don't see an issue. It's not like the corpse is still hangin around in there.

If you like it, and you can afford it, then get it. Ghosts aren't real so that's not an issue. Just do some redecorating and you'll feel right at home.
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It's a house, go for it. I can't understand if it was a friggen crime scene but otherwise man nothing to think about

Are your parents going to live there with you? If not, I don't see how its any of their business.
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DifferentialEquation posted...

A_Good_Boy posted...

Every home has been owned by someone that's died of natural causes. Do your parents expect you to live under a bridge?

That's not true. Some people buy newly constructed homes and then have to sell them after a few years for whatever reason. There are plenty of homes that have not been owned by someone that's died.

I live in central california, so a lot of homes are were built in the last 25-30 years. The house i'm looking at was built in 2006.
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you're not buying the house for your mom, are you?
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tachyonZ posted...

(As long as it was a natural death and not a violent murder I personally wouldn't mind it)

my realtor said the previous owner had lots of health issues. she texted me and said she would never show me a listing where a violent death occured.
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If it were me, I wouldn't have a problem mentioning it and then staunchly standing by that decision. It's gonna be my house - not my parents. They're free to disagree, but it's my decision.
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Kajagogo posted...

Are your parents going to live there with you? If not, I don't see how its any of their business.

hell no they aint gonna live with me, but once they get older to the point where they cant care for themselves, possibly, but i'm hoping that's 20 years down the line
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Fuck they don't have to know. If you like the house get it.
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No. I wouldn't buy it. There's plenty of houses out there that don't require you to keep huge secrets from your own parents. The fact you care what they think at all says enough. Keep looking.
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r4X0r posted...

No. I wouldn't buy it. There's plenty of houses out there that don't require you to keep huge secrets from your own parents. The fact you care what they think at all says enough. Keep looking.

just to give an update, the house was listed 2 days ago on Tuesday. Today, the house is pending on contract. Someone made an offer (possibly a cash offer if it was put on contract that fast)

The housing market is so hot right now, and good houses get sold so fast in just days. So I'm back to the starting line again and will continue looking.

such a shame, i called my realtor this morning and told them that I wanna see the house, but a few minutes later i was informed that it's already pending.
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