As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and sometimes recommend products from other sellers at no extra cost you. For more details see my disclosure policy and privacy policy.
The famous farmhouse that inspired one of horror cinema’s most successful franchises was set to go under the hammer this Halloween morning. Then, in a twist worthy of its own supernatural thriller, the entire auction was mysteriously canceled just weeks before the scheduled event. Here’s what happened to America’s most infamous haunted house—and why its future remains as uncertain as the spirits said to roam its halls.
For decades, the colonial farmhouse at 1677 Round Top Road in Burrillville, Rhode Island has attracted paranormal investigators, horror fans, and curiosity seekers from around the world. The property’s dark reputation stems from events that occurred during the 1970s, when the Perron family experienced what they described as relentless supernatural activity. Those experiences became the foundation for James Wan’s blockbuster film The Conjuring, which grossed over $319 million worldwide and launched a multimedia franchise.
The Perron Family’s Nightmare Begins
When Roger and Carolyn Perron purchased the 18th-century farmhouse in 1971, they were looking for a peaceful place to raise their five daughters. What they found instead was something far more sinister. The family reported experiencing escalating paranormal activity that began with subtle disturbances and evolved into something they described as malevolent.
Objects moved on their own. Cold spots appeared in specific rooms without explanation. The family claimed to see apparitions of former residents, some of whom appeared friendly while others seemed hostile and threatening. Andrea Perron, one of the daughters, would later document these experiences in her memoir series House of Darkness, House of Light.
The Warren Investigation
Unable to cope with the activity on their own, the Perrons reached out to Ed and Lorraine Warren, Connecticut-based paranormal investigators who were gaining recognition for their work on supernatural cases. The Warrens arrived at the farmhouse in the 1970s to conduct one of their most famous investigations—one that would eventually become Hollywood legend.
According to reports, the Warrens performed a séance at the property that ended dramatically. Carolyn Perron was allegedly thrown across the room by an unseen force, possessed by what the Warrens believed to be the spirit of Bathsheba Sherman, a 19th-century resident suspected of witchcraft and infanticide. This moment became the climactic scene in The Conjuring, cementing the house’s place in paranormal pop culture.
The investigation revealed layers of dark history connected to the property. Built in 1736, the farmhouse had seen nearly three centuries of life, death, and tragedy within its walls. The Warrens’ findings suggested multiple entities at the location:
- Residual hauntings replaying past events—like ghostly echoes trapped in time
- Interactive spirits that seemed aware of and responsive to the living
- Malevolent entities that the Warrens believed were actively hostile toward the family
- Bathsheba Sherman’s spirit—the alleged witch who became the primary antagonist in the film
The distinction between these different types of activity became central to understanding what the Perron family experienced over their decade in the house.
From Private Home to Paranormal Tourist Destination
After The Conjuring premiered in 2013, public interest in the actual farmhouse exploded. Horror fans and paranormal enthusiasts wanted to visit the real location where the Perron family’s ordeal had unfolded. The property’s transformation from private residence to paranormal attraction began when Cory and Jennifer Heinzen purchased it in 2019 for $439,000.
The Heinzens recognized the commercial potential of owning one of America’s most famous haunted houses. They began hosting ghost-hunting events and offering overnight stays for those brave enough to spend the night. The property became a pilgrimage site for fans of the franchise and those interested in experiencing potential paranormal activity firsthand.
A New Owner, New Controversies
In 2022, Boston developer Jacqueline Nuñez purchased the property for $1.5 million, continuing the paranormal tourism business. But her ownership period was marked by controversy and conflict. Local residents complained about noise, traffic, and the constant stream of visitors to their rural neighborhood. Police were called to the property multiple times to address disturbances.
The situation took a bizarre turn in 2023 when Nuñez accused an employee of theft, claiming that a spirit had warned her about the crime. The incident drew criticism from the paranormal community and raised questions about mixing business practices with supernatural beliefs. By 2024, local authorities refused to renew her entertainment license, effectively shutting down the ghost tours and overnight events that had been the property’s primary revenue source.
The Halloween Auction That Never Happened
Financial pressures mounted for Nuñez, and by 2025, the property entered foreclosure. Needham Bank, holding the mortgage, scheduled a public auction for October 31, 2025—Halloween morning. The timing seemed almost too perfect, adding another layer of intrigue to the property’s already dramatic story.
Auctioneer JJ Manning announced that the 3,000-square-foot farmhouse and its 8.5 acres would go to the highest bidder. Prospective buyers needed to provide a $25,000 deposit just to participate in the bidding. The announcement generated massive interest online, with the auction drawing attention from paranormal enthusiasts, investors, and even celebrities.
Celebrity Interest and Media Frenzy
The Halloween auction attracted attention from some unexpected quarters. Several high-profile individuals expressed interest in purchasing America’s most famous haunted house:
- Matt Rife, the comedian, publicly stated his intention to preserve the property’s paranormal heritage
- Elton Castee, a YouTuber known for supernatural content, saw potential for creating unique experiences for his audience
- Various paranormal investigation teams viewed it as the ultimate research opportunity
- Horror film enthusiasts and collectors wanted to own a piece of cinematic history
The involvement of celebrities and social media influencers transformed what might have been a routine foreclosure auction into a media spectacle.
News outlets from The Providence Journal to international publications covered the story. The auction represented a rare opportunity to own a piece of horror cinema history and one of the most documented allegedly haunted locations in America. Speculation ran wild about who might purchase the property and what they would do with it.
The Mysterious Cancellation
Then, in early October 2025, just weeks before the scheduled Halloween auction, everything changed. Needham Bank unexpectedly sold the mortgage to an undisclosed party, immediately halting the foreclosure proceedings. The auction was canceled, leaving potential bidders, media outlets, and curious observers stunned.
Antique Trader reported that the identity of the new mortgage holder remains unknown. No public records reveal who purchased the loan or what their intentions are for the property. The mysterious nature of the cancellation has sparked its own round of speculation and conspiracy theories among paranormal enthusiasts.
What Happens Next?
As of late October 2025, the future of the Conjuring House remains uncertain. The new mortgage holder could continue foreclosure proceedings at a later date, negotiate a settlement with Nuñez, or pursue an entirely different strategy. They might reopen the property for paranormal tourism, convert it to a private residence, or develop it into something completely unexpected.
The timing and secrecy surrounding the mortgage sale have added another chapter to the property’s already dramatic history. Some observers see it as just another business transaction in a complicated real estate situation. Others can’t help but note the eerie timing—a Halloween auction for a haunted house, canceled at the last moment by a mysterious buyer. It’s the kind of plot twist that would fit perfectly in a Conjuring film.
The Property’s Cultural Legacy
Beyond the real estate drama and business controversies, the Conjuring House represents something larger in American culture. The farmhouse has become a symbol of our ongoing fascination with haunted places and the supernatural. It bridges the gap between supposedly real paranormal events and Hollywood’s interpretation of those events.
The property’s story raises questions about authenticity and belief in the paranormal community. How much of what happened at the farmhouse was genuine supernatural activity? How much was influenced by the stress of family life in an old house with creaking floors and drafty rooms? The Perron family maintained for decades that their experiences were real, while skeptics pointed to more mundane explanations.
Movies vs. Reality
Like many famous haunted locations, the Conjuring House has been shaped as much by Hollywood as by its actual history. James Wan’s film took creative liberties with the Perron family’s story, condensing years of experiences into a two-hour narrative and adding dramatic elements for cinematic effect. The movie’s success created a mythology around the house that sometimes overshadows the Perrons’ actual experiences.
Visitors to the property during its years as a paranormal attraction reported their own experiences:
- Unexplained sounds—footsteps, voices, and banging with no visible source
- Cold spots that appeared suddenly in specific locations
- Feelings of being watched or followed throughout certain rooms
- Equipment malfunctions—cameras, recorders, and phones dying unexpectedly
- Physical sensations—being touched, pushed, or experiencing sudden temperature changes
- Visual phenomena—shadow figures, apparitions, and unexplained lights
Whether these experiences represented genuine paranormal activity, the power of suggestion, or simply the atmosphere of an old house is a question each visitor had to answer for themselves.
Lessons from a Haunted House Sale
The Conjuring House saga offers insights into the intersection of paranormal tourism, real estate, and popular culture. Owning a famous haunted property comes with unique challenges that extend beyond typical real estate concerns. The Heinzens and Nuñez both discovered that managing paranormal tourism required balancing commercial interests with community relations, safety considerations, and the expectations of visitors seeking authentic supernatural experiences.
The property’s troubled recent history demonstrates the risks of commercializing locations with paranormal reputations. Neighbors in rural Rhode Island never signed up to live next to a tourist attraction bringing constant traffic and noise. Local authorities had to balance the property owner’s business interests with residents’ quality of life concerns. The entertainment license denial showed that even famous haunted houses must comply with local regulations.
The Economics of Paranormal Real Estate
The price trajectory of the property tells its own story. From $439,000 in 2019 to $1.5 million in 2022, the house’s value reflected its fame more than its condition or location. The foreclosure and canceled auction suggest that paranormal notoriety alone doesn’t guarantee financial success. Without proper management and community support, even America’s most famous haunted house can face economic challenges.
Future owners will need to navigate these complexities carefully. Will the new mortgage holder attempt to reopen the property for paranormal tourism? Will they sell to someone who wants a private residence, ending the public’s access to this famous location? Or will they develop a new model that balances commercial interests with community concerns?
The Enduring Mystery
The Conjuring House continues to captivate imaginations decades after the Perron family’s experiences and years after the films that made it famous. The canceled Halloween auction is just the latest chapter in a story that spans nearly three centuries. From its construction in 1736 through various owners’ lives and deaths, the Warrens’ investigation, Hollywood’s interpretation, and now its complicated present—the farmhouse at 1677 Round Top Road remains a focal point for our cultural fascination with the supernatural.
Whether the property harbors genuine paranormal activity or simply carries the weight of its reputation and history, it has secured its place in American folklore. The building itself is a witness to history, surviving through colonial times, the American Revolution, industrialization, and into our modern era. The stories attached to it—both documented and embellished—reflect our ongoing need to believe that something exists beyond what we can see and prove.
As paranormal investigators and skeptics continue to debate the nature of hauntings, the Conjuring House stands as physical evidence that these discussions matter to people. The property’s value extends beyond its acreage and square footage—it represents a cultural touchstone where belief and skepticism collide, where Hollywood narrative meets claimed reality, and where the past refuses to stay buried.
The mystery of who purchased the mortgage and what they plan to do with the property adds one more layer to this already complex story. In a way, it’s fitting that the Conjuring House’s future remains uncertain. After all, the best ghost stories always leave some questions unanswered, some doors unopened, some shadows unexplained. The farmhouse’s next chapter is yet to be written, but given its history, it’s unlikely to be quiet or uneventful.
Continue Your Journey Into Haunted History
Want to explore more locations where history and hauntings intertwine? Check out Borley Rectory: The Legacy of Britain’s Most Haunted House, where we examine England’s answer to the Conjuring House and its own controversial paranormal legacy.
Curious about other famous investigations? Read about The Story Behind the Enfield Haunting, another Warren case that became a major film and raised similar questions about authenticity and belief.
Interested in what makes a location allegedly haunted? Our guide Signs Your House Might Be Haunted: Uncovering the Unseen explores the common experiences people report in supposedly haunted locations and what might explain them.
Learn about different types of supernatural activity in What is a Poltergeist? Unraveling the Mystery of Noisy Ghosts—the Perron family’s experiences included elements that some researchers classify as poltergeist activity.
For a broader perspective on how different societies view the supernatural, explore Ghosts Across Cultures: A Global Look at Supernatural Beliefs and see how American haunted house stories fit into worldwide paranormal traditions.
What do you think about the commercialization of allegedly haunted locations? Should famous paranormal sites remain accessible to the public, or do property owners have the right to privacy regardless of a building’s supernatural reputation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to stay updated on the latest paranormal news and haunted location stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly articles exploring the strange, mysterious, and unexplained.