Around 38 people attended "Haunted Histories," a workshop that provided a comprehensive overview of how to handle properties with a dark or haunted past, on Thursday, October 29, at Newtown Community Center.

The workshop was led by Justin Birtwell, a licensed Connecticut home inspector as well as the founder and sole operator of Maxim Home Inspections.

He said a property has to meet specific qualifications to have a dark past or the haunted house label. These include deaths whether natural, accidental, or violent; previous criminal activities, cultural and historical factors, and reported paranormal activities — in other words, anything that would attach a stigma to a property and, in turn, make people avoid it.

Birtwell organized his presentation into five different modules. The first cddressed common myths and misconceptions about haunted properties, for example, "all haunted properties are hard to sell" (some can be, but not all of them) and "haunted properties are always cheaper" (sometimes they can sell for more than a standard property). It also covered disclosure laws regarding deaths, crimes, or hauntings in the property, and how prospective buyers can use websites to research properties and see if they have been linked to murders, other crimes, and reported hauntings.

Another module covered working with potential buyers, whether it be identifying the type of buyers who might be interested in such properties or addressing buyer concerns and fears.

The workshop also had several segments involving audience participation. In addition to a "show of hands" segment at the start of the presentation, attendees discussed topics at their tables before later reconvening and talking about it with the rest of the audience.

There was also a Q&A segment at the end, when people could ask Birtwell any lingering questions on haunted histories.

By the end of the course, Birtwell said he wanted attendees to be able to articulate the legal and ethical responsibilities involved in listing, marketing, and selling properties with a haunted past; describe how a property's haunted history could impact its market value and be able to effectively communicate these nuances to potential buyers; and utilize unique marketing and sales strategies tailored for these properties, among other points.

The goal, Birtwell said, was to educate real estate professionals on a subject most people do not really want to talk about. Even if people want to avoid it, Birtwell said the topic will come up, whether they want it to or not.

To that end, he started with the "show of hands" segment, asking if those present had ever sold or bought a house with a dark past, had a paranormal experience in a house, or if they would live in a house where a murder happened. When Birtwell inquired if a buyer had ever asked, "Did someone die here?" nearly everyone in attendance raised their hands.

This is part of why Birtwell wanted to organize the workshop in the first place, he said. Birtwell clarified to the audience that he is not, nor has he ever been, a real estate agent. While Birtwell said he does not have the right to stand before everyone and teach them how to list and market properties, what he can do is facilitate great conversations.

"I feel comfortable presenting information that's relevant to adults who are trying to equip themselves and do a better job," Birtwell continued. "That's what I can do, and that's the plan."

He said the workshop has been a year in the making. In preparing for the event, Birtwell extensively researched Connecticut General Statutes' disclosure laws and combed through the archives of The Newtown Bee to assess the impact resident testimonials, local news and records, and neighborhood folklore have on properties.

The course had also been approved by the Connecticut Real Estate Commission for three continuing education credit hours. Full Bloom Catering provided breakfast for the event, serving eggs, sausage, bacon, bagels, coffee cake, muffins, and croissants in addition to coffee, orange juice, and hot water.

=====

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.