Harry Potter and the curse of the house that won’t sell
When it comes to selling a historic property, it having strong links to harry Potter should work like magic.
But the owners of De Vere house have found that its appearance on film as the place where Lord Voldemort murdered the schoolboy wizard’s parents s seems more of a curse.
Tony and Jane Ranzetta have been trying to sell the timberframed 15th century property for t two-and-a-half years. They have e even dropped the asking price for the six-bedroom Grade I-listed house from £995,000 to £950,000 but are still unable to find a buyer.
Their front door in the popular tourist spot of Lavenham, Suffolk, attracts a stream of visitors – Potter fans, not would-be buyers.
The Ranzettas did not benefit from the house’s appearance in harry Potter And The Deathly hallows in 2010 as film crews did not need permission to shoot the exterior.
They realised their home had been used only when they went to see the film. ‘I was asleep in the front row when my son Alexander kicked me as I was snoring,’ said Mr Ranzetta, 58, a retired nhS executive. ‘he just said, “Dad, our house is on the screen”. I replied, “Rubbish”, then I looked up and saw that it was.
‘There were lots of different clips showing our house and aspects of it, which was incredibly bizarre.’
Mr Ranzetta found that the parish council had given permission for filming in the village but it was done while the family were on holiday in France. ever since, fans have flocked to be photographed in front of the house. ‘Sometimes people knock or ring the bell. We are happy to talk about the history of the building if we have the time,’ Mr Ranzetta said.
‘The estate agents think that it is not helping having a house which is so incredibly popular.
‘Most potential buyers want to retire to Lavenham. They want a quiet life but living in the house is a bit like being in a goldfish bowl.’
The Ranzettas have managed to capitalise on their home’s fame, however – they rent out three rooms for bed and breakfast, charging couples £120 a night.