Home Once Owned by a Famous Witch Hopes to Cast Spell on Buyers

The herbs in the basement are long gone, but the spirit of the self-proclaimed witch who grew them lingers on.

“It’s such a special house. It’s magical. Anyone that walks in says it feels like a warm blanket, and it has everything to do with the history,” says listing agent Lori Guisewite, with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.

Built in 1925, this two-bedroom home near the Atlantic Ocean in Indialantic, FL, gained a bewitching resident in the 1960s when Sybil Leek moved in.

“She was very popular and well-known in England and tourism started increasing in her village to see her, and I guess it was overwhelming,” Guisewite says.

After announcing to the world that she was a “white witch” in the 1950s, the resulting backlash forced Leek to leave England. She wound up in Indialantic in 1964.

“She became very well-known in the community for astrology, and she was known to have over 400 healing herbs in the basement of the house,” Guisewite says.

Leek, who published a number of books on witchcraft, astrology, and the occult, died in 1982. Since then, three people have owned the 1,485-square-foot house.

The current owner, who bought the home in 1989, has listed it for $675,000.

“The flow of the home seems to match the characters who resided in it,” Guisewite says. “It still has the original hardwood pine floors and original cabinets. Each owner over the years has added their own additions.”

The current owner added mosaic tile to the fireplace and devoted a bookshelf to Leek and her enchanting story. Updates have been made to the plumbing, electrical, and roof.

The backyard features native plants, a large deck, and an outdoor shower.

While the home isn’t necessarily haunted, some people have reported strange happenings inside the residence.

“The other day, a developer and his grandson were walking around and got a warm feeling as soon as they walked in the door,” Guisewite explains, adding that another person might have felt someone touch his head.

“It is getting a lot of interest, but this house is going to choose the buyer,” she says. “I know right away if someone’s definitely not the buyer based on their vibe. It’s just a special, magical house, and it’s fun to show.”