OK so I'm one of those that believes in energy and vibes.. Open the windows get some fresh air in there.. get some sage and walk around the house with it getting all the corners. Finish painting - own it!

Start to fill it with new memories, yours, happy ones. You will soon forget the bitter memories of the past month or so.

Paint, Landscaping and Lighting will make big changes for you. Have you moved your furnishings in yet? Just moving your things in will help a great deal. Changing window treatments will help.

I don't know if this will work or not, but what about applying a little Feng Shui to your home?
Here is something that might help at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Things-Feng-Shui-Your-Home/dp/1596525673?tag=vglnk-c1285-20

You can have your home cleansed if your into that sort of thing. I know people who have done it I just don't know how you find someone to do that sort of thing for you. I think it involves salt water and sage but I really don't know all the details. Hopefully over time as you continue your painting and decorating you will think less about the negative sellers.

Seriously, have all of your friends over for a party and create some new, pleasant memories.

I agree, finish painting and make it your own. We had a similar experience, though not quite as bad, and now, the house is so different, it feels like a completely different house than what we first saw.

Congratulations and best wishes!

You own the home. They are gone. Sometimes it just helps to say to the house you are mine and all the negative issues of previous owners are gone now. Open the door and let them all leave. Or just in your mind determine that you are going to love the house and make it your own. We bought our home from my Mother in Law and hubby's sister threw an epic hissy fit even though she didn't want to purchase it.

Sorry you had to go through that but yes, friends, sage, painting all that helps. Washing the windows, throwing out all their old window treatments if there are any left, stuff like that. Plant new things in the yard...well, maybe not right now.

The bad feelings will fade.

Best of luck!

lol...dclostboy :)

Some have mentioned sageing -- that means to burn a bundle of dried sage and pretty much shoo out any negative energy with the smoke. You may also consider having your home blessed as part of a housewarming celebration. All good advice above -- especially a party. Congratulations on your new home!

I had a similar problem. The seller was not nice. What helped me was when I went to a block party soon after moving in and everyone was SO nice. One woman thanked me for getting "the cranky lady" out of the neighborhood. You might find, like I did, that your pain was worth it for you and others, too.

How about replacing some light fixtures? I think I pulled out five within the first two months!!!

You know, it really depends on your sensibilities. If you believe in super clean, try that, inside and out. If you think that smells linger after old owners are gone, put some Italian aromatic candles with natural oils to burn. If you think that Feng Shui will help, try that, too. Of course, having friends over, painting walls, changing lights, moving your furniture in, all that will change the mood and create a new stepping stone into your home ownership. If, however, you feel guilty that you bought a house on short sale or foreclosure and you feel that somehow this was someone's home and you "evicted" them, then I suggest you go to a therapist and have a little sit down about why you feel that way. But that's only if my theory is right, and you bought in a foreclosure or short sale. Good luck, and don't feel bad. The old owners will find their luck eventually!

Maybe minor changes in the front of the house could help such as replacing address numbers, painting the front door, replacing mail box, new rug on the front steps. Have good music playing when painting. Am I thinking too much outside the box??

Nope, good ideas Suzanne, especially the music!

Love all of the ideas, sage, music, remove window treatments that was theirs and bring lots of sunshine in. For a while, fresh flowers in every room! Flowers always are happy looking. If you can, hire Merry Maids to clean every surface (outside and inside cupboards) and windows to wash the negative away. (Not you). Remove the screens until you need them in the spring to let the most light in. Also, if you can, replace the faucets in the kitchen and bath to remove items they touched often. Throw yourself a House Warming Party! dclostboy's comment made me laugh because I was thinking "pee in every corner" or make love in every room of the house! :)

Dclostboy you owe me for that keyboard and monitor spew... I was laughing so hard my drink almost came out my nose!

Sobering up and wiping things off... the sage smudge, or use sweetgrass, will help you with 'owning, claiming and repurposing' the place as YOURS. I've helped a lot of friends with that one over the years... that 20-30 minutes will really help make it yours. When you think of them, just close your eyes and remember the good scent, and know you 'blew them right out of your house!'

This may sound super strange....but I felt the same way when I moved into my home. Cleaned, painted, took down curtains and was ready for new carpet/flooring, but still felt uneasy. I had a friend who said to look for a piece of jewelry (please note my region of the country for odd notions). I thought she was full of it until I found an earring wedged between the baseboard and the carpeting in our bedroom. That sucker was gone as quick as could be. Often, it just takes time, and not random earring removal. Remember how it took awhile to make your first apartment feel homey? Same thing applies with every house purchase.

Advice from an intuitive friend: Find some pretty decorative bowls - ones you really like. Put some sea salt and water in them and place them near entrance doors in the house. Front door, patio door, etc. it's supposed to absorb any negativity.
Fill the house with you and the things and people you love. Say a blessing every day for your good fortune. The bad mojo will pack up and leave - your home and your memory. Wishing you many happy years there.

@Natasha Assa ... I do not feel at all bad about the sellers. That's not the issue.

Thanks everyone for great advice. Will have to look into that sage thing. A few other things I've done ... cleaned top to bottom, including the basement. Also replaced the toilet seats and the front door knob. Progress is being made.

Talianko, invite the sellers over for dinner? What would that possibly accomplish?

Don't worry. I will never, ever invite the sellers over for dinner or anything else.

Time will heal your 'bad' experience.

Think of it this way - you saved this house from evil. It will repay you!

I will wax a bit philosophical here. We never really know the circumstances that dictate the decisions of others. Perhaps the old owners were forced to sell because of unfortunate circumstances... could be the reason for their difficult and unpleasant demeanor. The best thing you can do is adjust YOUR perception and relationship with the house and the situation. Bless and release the entire chapter surrounding the sale. The house is now your HOME. Make it your own by creating your own memories there, as previously mentioned, or by decorating it in a manner that makes you happy and projects your personality and style. Most important - forgive them. Forgiveness, btw, is something we do for ourselves, not those who have wronged/offended us. It allows us to stop investing our precious energy on circumstances beyond our control (look at the amount of energy invested by many in this discussion already, on a situation that is in the past) and focus it on more positive, productive and fulfilling endeavors of our own choosing and moves us definitively from victim-hood. Haven't the sellers already gotten enough of your energy...? Congratulations on YOUR new home!

Wonderful advice Daniel, not just in this case, but for life in general.

Hey triple D, long time no see :)
Very good advice, it really is all about your own perceptions and changing them. Other people shouldn't be allowed into your psyche to ruin the happiness in purchasing a home that you obviously wanted to buy. Live for yourself, don't worry about others, they aren't there anymore, only you are.

If you are a God-fearing person and believe or experience what you feel is "evidence" that the previous owners have exposed your home to anything evil or demonic, you might anoint the corners and entry of the property and the openings in your home, banishing anything of that nature and praying for protection from any further activity by that particular wicked spirit. It isn't a bad idea for all believers to do this with a new home - even new construction. People bring bad stuff in with them that they may not even be aware of.
I think that is why so many people include a spiritual element in their housewarming gatherings. Our Greek Orthodox neighbors had the priest burn incense and pray over their property. Sometimes you may feel the need to do some "purifying" when certain people leave your home. Depends on how sensitive to these things you are, but you seem to have sensed it enough to post it as a dilemma, and we may find others chiming in with their own experience here.

I once had my Pastor come to my new classroom space during a particularly huge transition in my life. He blessed the space and the work I would do with my students there. It really helped.

All great ideas. Too many to comment on each, but I am sure that each, or all together will help you feel better about that bad vibe. Maybe there is a better history and vibe prior to the last owner that will make up for it. I wish much happiness in your new home.

Years ago my husband and I bought our first home. The builder was difficult, rude and unapproachable. Close of escrow arrived and I did not want to go to the new house. I let him ruin my first home experience. I finally made my way to the house and my husband had purchased bar stools, and had signs in every room
" with love and hope we can make this house our home".
We had a friend come over and we saged every room, with kindness and hope for the future. I believe this is a cleansing. It worked for my thoughts and future. Congratulations on your new home. Enjoy and make your memories.

Another thing you can do is write a letter to the sellers and tell them your experience, but forgive them.

Throw a big 'ol party and share YOUR home with all of the people you love and who make you happy. Don't wait to "finish". Just do it. It will purge all thoughts of the previous owners.

Forgiveness is the only way to get this out of your mind. You don't know what the sellers are going through. Just forget what happened, and be happy that you have a new home. Put on happy music, cook a good dinner, put on a comedy, brighten up your space. If you still have bad vibes, you may need counseling or something -- or it may be someone currently living with you that is bringing the bad vibes. If you believe in prayer, pray aloud in each room of your home for peace and calmness in your home.

What about a "Real Housewarming"? Have a large happy get-together and invite your minister to pray a blessing over your home. Ask everyone to bring a written blessing for your new home. Take lots of pictures of everyone who comes and include the written blessing with their photo in an album to enjoy later.

All great ideas, all help. We were having "trouble" with a house/life once and I did a fung shui ritual called " feeding the hungry spirits". I found it in a book & it was easy to do...may sound silly to some but really no different than the housewarming scene from "It's a Wonderful Life" - just eastern philosophy. I have also "talked" to the house - wait until the kids are at school so they don't think you are looney- that also helped. Why it works doesn't matter, just as long as it does.

Like the idea of opening ALL the windows and doors (yes, even in cold temps) for just a short while. Also, immediately changing all the window coverings that were left from previous owners. I hope some of the ideas posted help you feel this house is your home to enjoy.

Party. Don't need a reason.

I wonder if what some of us respond to is the residual cooking or cleaning smell left by the previous owners. The smells can be faint or strong. They may cling to fabrics such as curtains or to the walls themselves. It could be why applying new smells (sage, lemon scented cleaner, new paint) is a popular housewarming tradition in more than one culture.

talk to the house and tell it the bad people are gone and you are there and you love it - the house will heal itself and so will you

In my personal experience, a house is not a home until a lot of my loved ones come to visit and bring their goodness with them. Call it energy or vibe, but it has always worked for me. I never had this negative experience you're having, but newer homes always feel empty to me - until a lot of people come and visit. Good luck. You'll forget about the last owners before you know it.

apple_pie made a good point. We feel comfortable with familiar smells. Spray your perfume or your hubby's aftershave on your bedsheets. You'll sleep better and wake up to a familiar scent. Take the time to remember how clean your shower wash or your hubby's soap smells just after you get out of the shower. Put some vanilla in a pan with some water and boil it for a couple of minutes and let the scent fill the whole house. it won't be long before you can't remember the names of the sellers and wouldn't recognize them if you saw them again. :)

Pray in the name of Jesus for any bad thing to leave. Believe it and will be gone.

Matthew 18-19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven."

Prayer

I agree with many of the comments above although I haven't read all of them. The most important thing to do is start living it up and making good memories there. Prayer never hurts and often helps. I can't say that I think smudging with any sort of incense, sage, or whatever would help much unless you just like the smell. Personally I'd either bake a loaf of bread or have a friend who's a baker over to make a batch of cookies. Those are two of the "most homey" smells I can think of to chase away the bad feelings. If you adhere to superstitions - in certain Asian cultures they throw beans out the doors and windows on new years to chase away anything bad that might have crept in. European traditions include hanging a horseshoe over the entrance with the horns up to keep the luck in. Preferably the horseshoe must be found by the one using it. Certain charms were made by braiding wheatstraw and hung in the home. Try searching the yard for a 4 leaf clover. Also, Pennsylvania Dutch hex symbols were intended to prevent evil influences from entering the barn or home by catching them rather like a spider web. They are bright and cheerful and might make an interesting art piece.

It's not all about money ...but be glad you got the house
For a good price ...one up on them ...
Once your things are in place
and you have painted
Making it feel like your home ......
One door closes and another one opens .....
Think of the door slamming on them .....and their unpleasantness
(Although not knowing why )
We have moved a few times
Sure you always wonder about the people who had owned the
House before ..
But best not dwell on it ...sorry tooooo hear they were not nice toooo be dealing with
Think of it as the new happy chapter....
Yes smells make us think of many things



as do objects
Full your new home with nice smells !!!!
I had toooo laugh at the comment ...
Regrading the pee ..
And it looks like I was not alone ...over 20 likes .....
They do say if you have a new pair of shoes
and they. squeak
You must pee in them toooo show you have paid for them
As this post is way back from January
We are sure you must have moved in by now
And all is well .
Enjoy your new home and making happy times
There ..

@Daniel Dionne - thank you for the wonderful words of wisdom. Not applicable just here, but to all facets of our lives.

While reading your comment, the Frozen theme song was running through my head. Let it go, let it go......

Wow! What a lot of superstitious notions!

I agree with the poster who advised you to pee in the corner. I think that it would add a much more personal element than burning a bouquet of weed,filling a bowl of salt water, or an upside down horse shoe.

Feng Shui, really? Spirits that come in one door and can't find their way out the back door because the sofa is in the way and not pointing the right direction? Really? Seriously, they can transcend time, space, and some other unknown dimension but they can't handle the random placement of furniture? Really, people? They can be stopped on the spot by a closed window? Really?

Seriously, it is all in your head. The previous owners are gone. If you had not dealt with them and experienced their hostility, you would have none of these feelings about the house, itself. You are projecting your negative interactions with real people onto inanimate objects. So, when you see something in the house that is evidence of something that they did, such as painting a room two different colors, or that stain in the kitchen sink, you are seeing and thinking of them. Banishing evidence of them with painting and new fixtures is getting rid of the reminders and completely refreshes the house.

To be fair, it is somewhat understandable that people perform rituals that give them the feeling that they are doing something. It changes how you perceive of the situation. If you think that the negativity is gone after that, Well, then, it is gone because it was all in your own perception anyway.

After living there for a while I am sure that you have established your own sights, sounds and smells. My only remaining fear would be that the hostile folks might be lurking in the bushes and stalking you. Real live crazy people are much more threatening that are clueless "spirits" that are confused by furniture arrangement and scared witless by burning weeds, yet can't find their way out of the window if it not directly adjacent to the one they came in through.