Mystery of ‘Nightmare House’ Listing in South Carolina Solved!

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Mystery solved. A “nightmare house” listing that went viral on the web turned out not to be so scary after all.

An oddly worded listing for a home for sale in Cayce, SC, set the web abuzz this month. The ominous-sounding description (now removed) was picked up by Twitter and then shared all over social media:

“Upstairs apartment cannot be shown under any circumstances. Buyer assumes responsibility for the month-to-month tenancy in the upstairs apartment. Occupant has never paid, and no security deposit is being held, but there is a lease in place. (Yes, it does not make sense, please don’t bother asking.)”

Of course, the internet did bother to ask, but no answers were forthcoming. The vagueness of the mystery tenant caused wild speculation and drew a frenzy of attention to the charming but run-down home. Even listing agent Randal Longo had no idea—his business helps people put up their own ads on the multiple listing service.

“What I know is basically what’s online,” Longo told the Post and Courier. “He’s got some mystery tenant up there that apparently he can’t answer many questions about, which is kind of strange.”

While strange, the reality of the “nightmare house” listing, as the Huffington Post called it, turned out to be a story of good intentions wildly misunderstood.

According to the TheState.com, the tenant upstairs is Randall McKissick, an artist who had fallen on hard times. “The house contains no nightmares, just the artist and his three cats. It is untidy,” according to the news site.

About a decade ago, homeowner Michael Schumpert Sr. offered McKissick, his longtime friend, the upstairs apartment, rent-free.

Schumpert was later hospitalized and the family thought to sell the house to help with their tight finances. But how could they do this without making McKissick move?

Michael Schumpert Jr. reportedly wrote the ad to keep people from bothering the artist, but instead piqued the interest of the internet.

The listing has since been taken down, and the Schumpert family aren’t sure if they will reword the ad or simply keep the home off the market. Maybe just a simple “For Sale” sign on the front lawn next time?

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