Buzz
Whether you're actively searching for a new home or just casually browsing, chances are you've used Zillow. With an impressive $8.1 billion in revenue for 2021 and details on approximately 110 million properties across the United States, Zillow has become a key resource for buyers, renters, and sellers alike. Their well-crafted website and mobile apps make it easy to find the property you're seeking—or simply explore out of curiosity!
With such a vast selection of homes available, it's no surprise that some stand out for their unusual characteristics. Many people find empty houses inherently creepy, perhaps due to the feeling that they still hold echoes of the lives that once occupied them. Then, there are properties that appear typical at first glance, yet something about them sends a chill down your spine. Here are ten of the most bizarre and unsettling homes found on Zillow, both past and present.
10. Rockport, Maine
In Rockport, a unique single-family home is up for sale. This expansive six-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion spans 9,500 square feet (882.6 square meters), offering plenty of space for family and friends in this charming town. Originally built as a Methodist Church in 1887, this home comes with an intriguing backstory. Priced at over $2.5 million, it may be beyond the budget of many buyers, but it would make a perfect summer retreat for those who can afford it.
However, on a cold winter night, this spacious house, which still retains the appearance of a church, might unsettle those with vivid imaginations. As the wind howls and the old structure creaks, it’s easy to imagine something lurking outside. A power outage could leave you wishing you had booked a motel for the night.
9. Baltimore, Maryland
The Townsend Avenue property in Baltimore is no longer listed on Zillow. Perhaps it was snapped up by a fan of Gothic horror tales, as this house was nothing short of eccentric.
From the street, this modest house seems like countless others, but once inside, the story changes. The owner clearly has a penchant for black and white, as every inch of the house is decorated in those colors, with eerie touches such as coffin lids and Gothic crosses. While there’s no blood spattered across the floor or headless chickens running around, it certainly evokes a creepy atmosphere.
To further enhance its bizarre charm, the owner has transformed the backyard into a small cemetery. Let's hope it's just a fake one.
8. Guildhall, Vermont
The video might give the wrong impression, as there’s no actual evidence suggesting that the house on Courthouse Drive in Guildhall is haunted. Still, it’s a rather peculiar place.
The Jail House, constructed in 1878, was once the home of the local jailer. It’s a charming place that could easily become a cozy family home. Since the jailer was responsible for watching over the town’s prisoners, the house came with a wing that had seven secure cells for detainees. Guildhall has always been a small town, with only 558 people recorded in the 1880 census, suggesting that the locals were quite a rowdy group, given the number of cells.
The cells are still intact, although the wing requires some restoration work. If you ever find yourself hosting unruly guests, this could be the perfect solution. Unfortunately, the house was sold for $150,000 in 2021, and we’re not sure what the new owner plans to do with the jail cells.
7. South Lake Tahoe, California
When this property hit the market in early 2021, it quickly gained attention. The seller listed the 1962 house for sale ‘as is,’ meaning any buyer would get more than they bargained for.
The house is a bit cluttered and the decor feels outdated, but someone with a flair for DIY could easily turn it into a comfortable, cozy home. However, selling the property ‘as is’ comes with an unsettling surprise: mannequins scattered and posed throughout the house. This would be enough to unsettle anyone with a vivid imagination who believes they aren’t alone on the property.
Why anyone would choose to fill their home with fashion mannequins is a mystery—our video delves into that question.
6. Placerville, California
Perched on a hill and spanning over 18 acres (7.3 hectares), this house appears quite ordinary at first glance. Secluded and luxurious, the property offers ample space. While the listing claims there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms, a closer look reveals much more space than those numbers suggest.
In 1990, Ms. Jeanne Clearey purchased the property for a mere $50,000 and set about making it her own. The main house offers 4,400 square feet, a separate 2,400-square-foot storage room, and a 1,100-square-foot apartment above the garage. Guests will find staircases and doors that lead to unexpected spaces, all featuring more storage than anyone could possibly use. One of the most striking features is ‘The Room’—a massive, empty, air-conditioned space with 16-foot (4.9-meter) ceilings.
Surprisingly, Ms. Cleary wasn’t in the storage business. A single woman with a passion for books, she clearly had a tendency to keep everything and loved shopping. She passed away at the age of 89 in 2021, and her family generously donated most of her belongings to victims of the forest fires that devastated California.
5. Parthenon, Arkansas
John Hay, the successful founder of Celestial Seasonings Tea Company, was a prepper who sought a safe haven to survive a potential nuclear disaster. And where better than a cave in Arkansas? In the 1980s, he acquired Beckham Creek Cave, stocking it with enough supplies to support 50 people for up to two years. After making the necessary modifications to make the space livable, he and members of his religious group moved in to ride out a couple of scares.
Over the years, several owners have added their own amenities while preserving the cave's natural features. Unfortunately, one of these natural characteristics is the tendency for some of the stalactites to drip. Though the property is no longer for sale, it is available for vacation rentals.
Living in a cave isn’t for the claustrophobic, and despite its luxurious additions, the views are somewhat limited.
4. Austin, Texas
Just a 10-minute drive from Austin's lively downtown is the odd, charming (and slightly spooky) Bloomhouse. This quirky spot is featured on Zillow's blog and has become a popular attraction, earning a spot on many visitors' bucket lists when they come to Austin.
In the 1970s, two architecture students from the University of Texas decided to break away from conventional designs and create something truly unique. They purchased a piece of land and spent over ten years crafting the unusual structure you see today.
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what inspired the creators—the uninitiated might speculate that hallucinogenic substances played a role. With no straight lines, the entire building appears to be something Alice might have encountered on her adventures. Anyone who appreciates traditional architecture will likely find this place bizarre and unsettling.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can book a night there.
3. Delavan, Wisconsin
For just $1.2 million, you could own the Allyn Mansion in Delavan, Wisconsin. Although the city is small, it draws many tourists, both for its local attractions and its proximity to the picturesque Lake Geneva.
Charming may not be the first word that comes to mind when describing the Allyn Mansion. Impressive? Absolutely. Built by the Allyn family in 1885, the house holds a certain gravitas. Years later, in 1913, Mr. Allyn passed away while perusing his mail in the parlor. Some say his ghost still roams the house, unsettling any who dare stay.
Whether or not Mr. Allyn’s ghost lingers, the property changed hands several times before it was converted into a nursing home (a haunted nursing home, no less!). Afterward, it briefly became a furniture store before transforming into a bed and breakfast. This business closed its doors in 2007, though the mansion may still be listed for sale.
2. Bolton Landing, New York
Once, a father might have promised his son a model train set and then spent the majority of his time enjoying it himself. But John Lavender took it further by promising his three-year-old son a castle—and then began building one.
Lavender has done an exceptional job creating a stunning location with breathtaking views. The castle looks authentically medieval, though the amenities are unmistakably modern. It would make an ideal venue for banquets and weddings, though living in such a historical setting might feel a little out of place in today’s world.
The interiors of Highlands Castle are so meticulously designed that it’s easy to imagine being transported to the thirteenth century. From there, it wouldn’t take much to feel as though the past is coming back to life.
1. Olalla, Washington
The quaint town of Olalla offers a variety of attractions for visitors, including one house that has gained attention on the Zillow blog. While most people refer to it as 'Snow White’s Cottage,' the owner prefers the name 'The Storybook Cottage.'
Nestled on 7.5 acres (3 hectares) of land, the property also includes Shrek Island, a wishing well, and a treehouse. Anyone stumbling upon it would feel as though they’ve stepped right into a fairytale. One might even imagine hearing the seven dwarfs sing as they go about their daily routine. This whimsical space would make the perfect set for a Disney movie.
Though the house is no longer on the market, it is sometimes available for weddings, making it the ideal venue for couples who adore fairytales. However, living there might feel a bit over-the-top.
