Imagine you tour a house you love, only to find out it has a haunted past. Your instinct may be to run away screaming—but you might be missing out on a rare opportunity.
Furthermore, you’d also find yourself in the minority: According to a spooky survey done by Clever’s Real Estate Witch, 52% of Americans would actually consider buying a haunted house, with 72% claiming they’d do so as long as they got a lower price.
For the brave, agents agree that you may actually score a deal, if you’re willing to risk a run-in with a spirit from the beyond!
Why a haunted house may be a good idea
Jokes a side, let’s be clear that when a house is classified as “haunted,” this is typically derived from legend, lore, or lights that flicker in the night. In other words, no concrete proof.
Nevertheless, when a community or homeowner dubs a home “haunted,” the notoriety can be a deterrent for many people, creating opportunity for others.
“Remember, that a haunted reputation doesn’t necessarily make it a bad home,” explains Casey Gaddy, senior real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty in Philadelphia.
“Neighbors might say it’s haunted, but in reality it’s a house with good bones that’s been neglected and needs the right buyer to bring it back to life,” explains Gaddy.
Julie Zulanas, licensed real estate agent in El Dorado, Hills, CA agrees.
“If someone has no fear, they could end up with a fabulous bargain,” she says.
Sometimes, a “haunted” home is merely an abandoned home or a fixer-upper that just needs some TLC. The latter has actually become a hot commodity, with fixer-upper homes are up to 78% cheaper in several metros, including places in the South like Jackson, MS.
When to avoid one at all costs
One reason a home is dubbed “haunted” is due to its notoriously gruesome history. Think the Manson murder house in Los Feliz, CA, or the “In Cold Blood” house in Holcomb, KS.
Buying one of these “haunted” estates or “murder houses,” as some might call them, may ultimately be too disturbing for you.
“We all have our own level of comfort with things of this nature,” Gaddy acknowledges. “With that said, if you discover there was tragedy or horrific events that would weigh heavily on you or your family, then it may be worth passing up any savings.”
Moreover, if resale value is important to you, you might want to think twice as perception is value.
“Sometimes, no matter how many renovations you do, some properties never shake their spooky reputations,” says Gaddy.
Legalities around haunted houses
Most states don’t require sellers to disclose their home is haunted, largely because hauntings can’t be scientifically proven.
“You can prove a home has radon, and you can prove a home has mold, but there isn’t a widely accepted test to prove a home has a ghost,” says Mark J. Schmidt, broker associate at RE/MAX Country in Milltown, NJ.
Only four states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, mention “paranormal activity” in their disclosure laws.
New York follows the “Ghostbusters ruling” in which sellers must reveal their house is haunted if that’s the way it’s advertised to the public.
While New Jersey and Massachusetts don’t require sellers to be upfront about their haunted house, they must be honest if buyers ask them directly.
Minnesota has a “buyer beware” rule that states sellers aren’t required to disclose paranormal activity, and it’s the buyer’s responsibility to do the research if something doesn’t seem right.
Do your homework before closing
Before you sign on the dotted line, be honest about how you feel in the home. If there is a negative energy, you might experience a certain heaviness or dread when in the property.
“This is something to watch out for while initially touring the property, and any other time you’re there, like for the home inspection,” advises Schmidt.
Also, don’t forget to do your own research, ideally before making an offer. Schmidt explains that if the home is over 100 years old, there is a good chance either someone died in it or a wake for a deceased person was held there.
You can search online to see if there have been any events that would claim lives at the home, such as a natural disaster, fire, or homicide.
“A great resource I recommend to anyone who is concerned about whether someone may have passed in the property is DiedInHouse.com. For a small fee, they’ll tell you if anyone has died in the home,” says Schmidt.
Lastly, Zulanas recommends you invest in all contractual inspections plus additional paranormal-focused inspections. These can give you some peace of mind and prevent costly repairs for things like mold, termites, and asbestos—and alert you to how many bumps in the night you’ll be up against in your new abode!
