Family Buys 38 Room Ontario Funeral Home For 599 999 And Turns It Into Dream Home

“100 percent, it’s haunted.  But it’s quite friendly.  It’s mostly very friendly,” Heather Blumberg told CTV News Toronto during a Halloween interview.
Heather, originally from the UK, and her husband Arryn, originally from South Africa, moved into the massive 12,000 sq ft home a year and a half ago with their children Rafferty, 20, and Noa, 14.
The young family lived in Toronto’s trendy Roncesvalles neighborhood before they saw the $599,999 listing for Dresden, Ont.  internet property.
The Blumbergs didn’t want to leave Toronto — and admitted they didn’t know the place was a funeral home until shortly before viewing the 38-room property in the middle of the pandemic — but that changed once they opened the door.
The Blumberg’s 38-room Dresden, Ont.  the house can be seen in this picture.  (is provided)
“We walked into this place and literally within minutes, we were like, ‘Yeah, we’re buying it,'” Heather recalls.
The purchase raised some eyebrows among their neighbors in Toronto, however.
“I think our neighbors thought we were out of our minds,” Arryn explained.  He added that their families in South Africa and the UK were less surprised by their unorthodox choice of home after years of living abroad and out of touch.
As with any older property, the Dresden home was in need of repairs, especially after being vacant for five to six years before being sold.  During this time, Arryn explained that the property had been hit by the Ontario winter weather and the damage was starting to show.
Pictures of Blumberg’s Dresden, Ont.  home are seen here.  (is provided)
“I think the community was worried about what would happen to it because it was such a focal point for such a long time,” he said.
To that end, the family has since installed new plumbing, HVAC and other major improvements to the home to keep it in good shape, while working with the neighborhood to ensure the space lives up to its former glory.
“We make sure we respect what we do at home… You know, we can’t please everyone.  Some people still think we’re weird, but for the most part it’s been good,” Heather said.
And this attempt to play nice with the locals has gone too far.  The Blumbergs say the people of Dresden have gone out of their way to welcome them.
Their good nature was accepted not only by those who live in the area, but also by the ghosts that the family believes live with them.
Pictures of Blumberg’s Dresden, Ont.  home are seen here.  (is provided)
“It could be anything from footsteps walking into certain rooms.  We have a female voice calling out “Hello”.  Day.  Night.  Never anything other than “Hi,” Heather says of a few of the supernatural personalities she cohabits with. 
“We have music playing from the basement.  We have a guy that people see on our side porch or walk down our hallways, doors opening and closing, etc.,” he added.
For the most part, Blumberg’s patience with the paranormal has created a practical living arrangement as long as certain rules are followed
“Don’t try to engage [with the ghosts] and don’t compete one way or the other.  You know, then everyone can live vaguely peacefully.  They were here first, and they’ll probably be here long after we’re gone,” Arryn said.
Monday night marks the first Halloween at home where the Blumbergs can really focus on their spooky festivities.
Pictures of Blumberg’s Dresden, Ont.  home are seen here.  (is provided)
Those lucky enough to be in the area tonight will be greeted by a house covered in red light and at least 1,000 fake bats meant to mock the very real bat problem the Blumbergs have faced at the property. 
“We have a bit of a bat infestation here.  And they randomly fly towards us… So we will run from the house in bloody torn black clothes after the attack [by the bats],” said Heather, describing their festive presentation.
Halloween aside, Heather and Arryn seem very happy in their new home and say that their citizenship applications were only submitted about a month ago.
The Blumberg family says they plan to continue their renovations, breathing new life into the otherwise forgotten property.
“We love being here and [feel] very neat,” Aryn said.  
The Blumbergs are seen at their home in Dresden, Ont.  (is provided)

title: “Family Buys 38 Room Ontario Funeral Home For 599 999 And Turns It Into Dream Home " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-28” author: “Robert Allen”

“100 percent, it’s haunted.  But it’s quite friendly.  It’s mostly very friendly,” Heather Blumberg told CTV News Toronto during a Halloween interview.
Heather, originally from the UK, and her husband Arryn, originally from South Africa, moved into the massive 12,000 sq ft home a year and a half ago with their children Rafferty, 20, and Noa, 14.
The young family lived in Toronto’s trendy Roncesvalles neighborhood before they saw the $599,999 listing for Dresden, Ont.  internet property.
The Blumbergs didn’t want to leave Toronto — and admitted they didn’t know the place was a funeral home until shortly before viewing the 38-room property in the middle of the pandemic — but that changed once they opened the door.
“We walked into this place and literally within minutes, we were like, ‘Yeah, we’re buying it,'” Heather recalls.
The purchase raised some eyebrows among their neighbors in Toronto, however.
“I think our neighbors thought we were out of our minds,” Arryn explained.  He added that their families in South Africa and the UK were less surprised by their unorthodox choice of home after years of living abroad and out of touch.
As with any older property, the Dresden home was in need of repairs, especially after being vacant for five to six years before being sold.  During this time, Arryn explained that the property had been hit by the Ontario winter weather and the damage was starting to show.
“I think the community was worried about what would happen to it because it was such a focal point for such a long time,” he said.
To that end, the family has since installed new plumbing, HVAC and other major improvements to the home to keep it in good shape, while working with the neighborhood to ensure the space lives up to its former glory.
“We make sure we respect what we do at home… You know, we can’t please everyone.  Some people still think we’re weird, but for the most part it’s been good,” Heather said.
And this attempt to play nice with the locals has gone too far.  The Blumbergs say the people of Dresden have gone out of their way to welcome them.
Their good nature was accepted not only by those who live in the area, but also by the ghosts that the family believes live with them.
“It could be anything from footsteps walking into certain rooms.  We have a female voice calling out “Hello”.  Day.  Night.  Never anything other than “Hi,” Heather says of a few of the supernatural personalities she cohabits with.
“We have music playing from the basement.  We have a guy that people see on our side porch or walk down our hallways, doors opening and closing, etc.,” he added.
For the most part, Blumberg’s patience with the paranormal has created a practical living arrangement as long as certain rules are followed
“Don’t try to engage [with the ghosts] and don’t compete one way or the other.  You know, then everyone can live vaguely peacefully.  They were here first, and they’ll probably be here long after we’re gone,” Arryn said.
Monday night marks the first Halloween at home where the Blumbergs can really focus on their spooky festivities. 
Those lucky enough to be in the area tonight will be greeted by a house covered in red light and at least 1,000 fake bats meant to mock the very real bat problem the Blumbergs have faced at the property.
“We have a bit of a bat infestation here.  And they randomly fly towards us… So we will run from the house in bloody torn black clothes after the attack [by the bats],” said Heather, describing their festive presentation.
Halloween aside, Heather and Arryn seem very happy in their new home and say that their citizenship applications were only submitted about a month ago.
The Blumberg family says they plan to continue their renovations, breathing new life into the otherwise forgotten property.
“We love being here and [feel] very neat,” Aryn said.