Real estate agents in the UK are struggling to sell a luxury home converted from a former Methodist chapel because it has a graveyard as its front garden.
Buyers have been spooked by more than 20 old headstones and tombs covering the front lawn of the three bedroom house at North Lopham near Diss, Norfolk.
The price of the Grade Two listed home dating back to 1810 has been slashed by more than £100,000 ($188,000) to £490,000 since it first went on the market almost a year ago.
The house was a chapel until it closed in 2014 due to a dwindling congregation and was bought in October 2016 for £246,000 by local property developer Sam Nayler through his firm SNPD Ltd.
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It has now been converted into a modern home with a 25ft by 35ft open plan double height living room and kitchen.
Estate agents Bedfords are now hoping that buyers will overcome their fears about the graves. Emmerson Dutton, a partner at Bedfords office in Bury St Edmunds office, said: "I am sure that the gravestones have been a factor in putting off some buyers.
"It is a very stylish property, but the activity levels around it have certainly been lower than we would expect.
"I think the people who are concerned about the graves don't go as far as asking for a viewing. We are not trying to hide the gravestones away so the details clearly show them.
"But although the house still has the original two doors at the front, the main entrance is at the back via driveway on the side.
"It means that people don't have to walk down the path between the graves into the house.
"Also when you are inside the house, you are not really overlooking the graves because of the layout inside."
The house was originally up for sale at £595,000 with a different agent before it was taken on by Bedfords who cut the price to £550,000, before cutting it again.
Mr Dutton believes the house is worth at least £100,000 more than its price tag due. He said: 'It just seems buyers are put off which is such a shame as the cost of the conversion far outweighs the price it's for sale for.
"Someone is going to get a real bargain. It might be that once a year, on Halloween, it becomes an issue but most people could live with that."
- Daily Mail
