Connecticut real estate agent discovers grim past of nearly sold property

Real estate agents rarely face the challenge of nearly selling a "murder home," but one agent in Connecticut encountered such a situation.

Kate Joynt, owner of Atmosphere Real Estate, was on the verge of finalizing a sale for a property in Norwalk, CT, when she and her client discovered that someone had been shot dead in the home. Connecticut law requires sellers to disclose such information only if directly asked by the buyer or their lawyer.

"This was the first one I’ve been personally involved in in my career, but they do happen," Joynt said.

Joynt noticed some signs that something might be wrong before the home went under contract. The older woman who lived there had torn out the carpet in the living room, which she and her client initially attributed to lack of updates over the years.

"It was likely bloodstained, so she tore it out," Joynt explained. Additionally, every time they visited the property, the owner was always present. "We just thought it was bizarre... But it turns out she was under house arrest and couldn’t leave."

After making an offer that was accepted and going under contract, Joynt’s real estate lawyer uncovered the property's grim history. On January 20, 2022, homeowner Ellen Wink allegedly shot her tenant Kurt Lametta after an argument. Wink has been charged with murder and will proceed with a self-defense claim at her upcoming trial.

"If our lawyer never asked, we would never have known," Joynt stated.

Delivering this news to her client was unusual but well-received. "I try not to weigh in with my opinion," Joynt said. She presented options: take the property as is, negotiate a lower price due to its stigma, or withdraw from the deal entirely. Ultimately, her client chose to walk away from the purchase after some consideration.

Murder homes fall into a category known as "stigmatized properties," which are often difficult to sell according to the National Association of Realtors®. These include homes where suicides or violent crimes occurred or those near cemeteries or other stigmatized locations.

"I’ve probably been involved in more murder house deals than I realized," Joynt remarked. "Some states require disclosure; some don’t... Everyone is turned off by something grotesque happening on a property."

The time these homes stay on the market depends on how much sellers are willing to discount them. A notorious event can also attract unwanted attention from true-crime enthusiasts and lookie-loos.

Eventually, despite its history, the Norwalk property sold for $605,000 in March 2023.