STIGMATIZED PROPERTIES

A netizen posted this photo online with the caption, "I lifted the rugs in the newly purchased house to find this."

(see second photo)

In the Philippines, one of the most notorious examples of a stigmatized property is the unit in Lerato (Makati) where a woman was stabbed by her roommates, dismembered, and disposed of in trash bags via the garbage chute. Do you think anyone would still be interested in renting that unit? Or would the owner even consider staying in it?

Another example is the Ozone Disco tragedy in 1996, where a fire and a faulty main door design led to the loss of 165 lives. The space remained vacant for over two decades until Goodah! established a branch there. The restaurant features an open-air design, likely to deter bad omens. Despite this, reports of paranormal activities on the premises continue to circulate.

These instances are referred to as "psychological damage" to properties. Sometimes, the psychological impact is so profound—due to events like violent crimes, highly publicized murders or suicides, or widespread reports of hauntings—that a property becomes stigmatized and consequently loses value.