When I first moved to California, I had the choice of renting a 700 square foot apartment for $650 per month and an 850 square foot apartment for $550 per month. Both were in the same building. The larger and less expensive one even had a better view.
I was puzzled by the bargain until the landlord explained to me that there had been an “unfortunate incident” in the larger apartment. As a result, no one was willing to rent it. It was as if the apartment was contaminated.
Although I didn’t....