Ninth-floor apartments sell for 5 percent less because of a fake internet rumor about dust.

Homebuyers in some regions believe that a specific middle band of floors in skyscrapers is more exposed to pollution. This dust floor rumor is a total myth with no basis in physical science. Even though the information is false, it has a massive impact on real estate prices. The penalty for owning a unit on these floors grows even larger during sandstorm seasons. We assume that housing prices are driven by objective factors like square footage and location. This case proves that a single piece of viral misinformation can destroy thousands of dollars in property value.