When you buy a new home, you hope that the biggest issues you’re going to have to deal with are the cosmetic choices the previous owners made while they lived there. Unfortunately, a Burlington, Connecticut man is learning that there are far scarier things out there after he found three dead bodies when he walked through his new house for the first time.
The reason why Edward Marchion didn’t make the discovery before closing on the home is that he bought it sight unseen at an auction, according to NBC Connecticut. The discovery was made on June 14, just a few days after the June 9 auction where Marchion placed the winning bid of $525,000.
While officials didn’t originally know who the skeletal remains belonged to at first, they have since identified two of the three bodies. Now the story is making national headlines, with places like The New York Post reporting on the news.
The case remains under active investigation as officials try to piece together exactly what happened.
The House Was Last Sold to a Couple in 2019
NBC News also picked up the story, saying that the property was last secured by a $385,000 mortgage in 2019. At some point after the purchase, the homeowners stopped making payments, and the bank eventually foreclosed.
Now, the Connecticut State Police say that they have identified two of the three bodies as belonging to 22-year-old Brian Cash and his 54-year-old mother Sally Ann Cash. Authorities are still working on identifying the third body.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continues to work on the cause of death for all three. That being said, the office told NBC News that they don’t suspect foul play at the moment.
Protect Yourself When Buying a Home at Auction
You can get a great deal when you buy a home at auction—Marchion paid just $525,000 for the house, which the New York Post valued at $650,000—but you do need to protect yourself from the unexpected.
According to Zillow, you should take several important steps before bidding on a home. First, the real estate website suggests familiarizing yourself with the area. You may not be able to get into the home, but you should be able to see where it’s at and even take a look at the property from the street.
Next, you’ll want to do some research to see what homes in the area are going for so you don’t overbid. You should also assume that there may be some repairs or updates, and add that number into your budget when deciding how much you can afford to spend. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure you have the money to purchase the home. If you’re going to be using a loan, you’ll need that money the day of the auction, so secure your financing before making a bid.
Lastly, make sure you’re registered for the auction so that you’re allowed to place a bid when the time comes. While none of that would’ve helped Marchion avoid the gruesome discovery he made in his new home, it can help you prepare if you’re considering bidding on a foreclosed property.