Yahoo Finance ‘Cursed’: Why Harry Potter home won’t sell
The owners of a UK home that featured prominently in the Harry Potter films have described themselves as “cursed” after extreme difficulty securing a buyer.
The home, which features as the birthplace of fictional hero Harry Potter in the films, has been on the market for two and a half years.
The owners have discounted the price of the home by around £50,000 (AU$93,000) but have still been unable to shift the now-$1.7 million heritage-listed property.
Agents Carter Jonas describe the home as “historically significant”, with its “beautiful facade” made famous by the films.
“Forming part of Godric’s Hollow, De Vere House can be seen opposite a fictional graveyard with a Christmas tree in the window, with lights on and music emanating,” the listing reads.
“Deservedly, De Vere House proudly stands as one of Lavenham’s most prized properties to this day.”
However, owners Tony and Jane Ranzetta told the Daily Mail UK their agents believe the popularity of the home among tourists is a major factor.
“Sometimes people knock or ring the bell. We are happy to talk about the history of the building if we have the time,” Tony Ranzetta said.
“The estate agents think that it is not helping having a house which is so incredibly popular,” he continued, noting that most buyers in that area are looking for a quiet retirement lifestyle.
“But living in the house is a bit like being in a goldfish bowl.”
And to add insult to injury, the Ranzettas did not initially receive any financial benefit from appearing in the Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows film, with film crews not requiring permission to film the exterior of the property.
The family was unaware their six-bedroom home had been featured until they were watching the film, as they had been away on holiday when shooting occurred.
“I was asleep in the front row when my son Alexander kicked me as I was snoring,” Ranzetta said.
“He just said, 'Dad, our house is on the screen'. I replied, 'Rubbish', then I looked up and saw that it was.”
In recent years, however, the family has made money by renting out three rooms as a bed and breakfast.
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