Someone died in that house! Okay, it is an odd topic, I know … Fifty years ago, it was normal for people to die in their homes and the buyer that subsequently purchased that house had no concerns about it (if it was even disclosed — disclosures 50 years ago is a whole different topic!). Today, buyers are leery of buying a home someone died in. Even if it was natural causes. Does this indicate society has superstitions, a fear of ghosts or a just a general fear of death? (You know, you are not getting out of this life alive right??). I recently went on a broker tour of my local area of San Jose, Willow Glen, and we toured a house that had two recent deaths in the home. The first died of natural causes and the second died from a heroine overdose. Both were non violent deaths. Even as we were about to go through the house with over 40 ‘live’ agents, I heard comments from people who did not want to go in the house. That heightened my awareness and I tried to use my best psychic abilities and see if I could feel anything. Although I did not feel or see anything unusual it was a topic of discussion for about 15 minutes before and after seeing the house. During those discussions, I learned that the house nearby also had a recent death in it. That makes the count 3 deaths and I heard some people say, ‘well death comes in three’s so the bad luck has passed.” To be honest, I would be a bit uncomfortable purchasing a house that someone had died in, and I shyly admit to being a bit superstitious. Would you buy a house someone had recently died in? Do you think a death in the house should result in a lower asking price? Why do you think disclosing a death in the home is such a hot topic? WGx wants to know what percentage of WG homes could be haunted by a previous occupant’s at-home death … Someone died in that house … and still we’re overpriced?

I am sure you know people who check out open houses for a hobby…realtors refer to them as lookiloos. Some of my buyers have converted into lookiloos because they really enjoy looking at homes and cannot seem to stop. Almost like I was the drug dealer getting them their first hits aka, getting them into some homes that met their criteria and they were hooked! Once escrow closed they could not stop looking and they will cruise the streets on the weekends looking for another hit (aka open house).

Some people are simply nosey or more accurately enjoy the voyeurism of looking how other people live. Others are looking for remodeling ideas or that perfect fireplace. Others are looking for their dream home and enjoy picking a house apart. If they find one they cannot pick apart, they might just have to buy it!

Do you like to look at houses? Are you addicted? What are you looking for?

Personally, I see huge value in lookiloos and here are my Top Three Reasons lookiloos are a good thing!

1) They are often talking positively about real estate

2) They may see something that catches their attention and tell a friend that is looking for a home

3) They help agents with pricing. If a property is not priced well, a lookiloo will not only still come and see the home, they will often give honest and knowledge based feedback

Irving Tamura of Tamura Designs has a long history of setting a California outdoor ambience for Sunset Magazine. Tamura has been featured in numerous Sunset Idea Houses, including this one in San Jose. His office in a remodeled carriage house is on The Alameda in San Jose's Rose Garden neighborhood. Lookiloos had a chance to catch up with Tamura to ask his advice on starting a garden plan: Lookiloos: What are the do's and don'ts when starting a landscape plan? Irving Tamura: Here's my list of the Do’s. 1.Start with a theme (the big idea). Italian Tuscan country garden, Butter fly garden, French formal etc. 2. Start collecting photos from magazines, take picture of gardens that you like that connect with your theme. 3. Start to educate yourself on the style of garden. The resources are endless through the internet. 4. Study the areas that you are landscaping as far as sun, shade, wind, privacy issues (screening), vistas to preserve, sound issues. 5. Make a list of features you desire in the garden. Water features, pool, patios, arbors, vegetable garden, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, lighting _ the list could be endless. 6. Develop a master landscape plan that pulls together all the landscaped areas. The Don’ts 1. Don’t sacrifice comfort and functionality for aesthetics. Contact Irving Tamura at his San Jose office at 408-279-0296.