More than half of Americans would buy a haunted house, new research shows

Imagine visiting a house you love, only to discover that it has a haunted past. Your instinct may be to run away screaming, but you might miss a rare opportunity.

Plus, you’d also find yourself in the minority: according to a chilling study from Clever’s Witch of real estate52% of Americans would actually consider buying a haunted house, while 72% claim they would do so as long as they got a lower price.

For the brave, agents agree that you might just score a deal if you’re willing to risk an encounter with a ghost from the afterlife!

Why a haunted house can be a good idea

Just kidding, let’s be clear that when a house is classified as “haunted” it is usually derived from legends, lore, or lights that flicker at night. In other words: no concrete evidence.

Nevertheless, when a community or homeowner calls a house “haunted,” the notoriety can be a deterrent for many people, opening up opportunities for others.

“Remember, a spooky reputation doesn’t necessarily make it a bad house,” explains Casey Gaddysenior broker at Keller Williams Real Estate in Philadelphia.

“Neighbors may say it’s haunted, but in reality it’s a house with good bones that has been neglected and needs the right buyer to bring it back to life,” Gaddy explains.

Julie Zulanas, certified real estate agent in El Dorado, Hills, CA agrees.

“If someone has no fear, he or she can get a fantastic bargain,” she says.

Sometimes a “haunted house” is just an abandoned house or fixer-upper that just needs some TLC. The latter has even become a hot commodity, with fixer-upper homes being up to 78% cheaper in several metro areas, including places in the South like Jackson, MS.

When should you avoid one at all costs?

One of the reasons a house is called “haunted” is because of its infamously gruesome history. Think of 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 may call them, may end up being too disturbing for you.

“We all have our own level of comfort with this kind of thing,” Gaddy acknowledges. “That said, if you discover that tragedies or horrific events have occurred that would weigh heavily on you or your family, it may be worth leaving all your savings.”

Furthermore, if resale value is important to you, you may want to think twice because perception is value.

“Sometimes, no matter how many renovations you do, some properties will never shake their creepy reputation,” says Gaddy.

Legalities surrounding haunted houses

Most states do not require sellers to prove that their home is haunted, mainly because haunting cannot be scientifically proven.

“You can prove a house has radon, and you can prove a house has mold, but there is no universally accepted test to prove a house has a ghost,” says Mark J. Schmidtbroker at RE/MAX Land in Milltown, NJ.

Only four states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Minnesota, list “paranormal activity” in their disclosure laws.

New York is following the “Ghostbusters ruling,” in which sellers must disclose that their home is haunted if that is how it is advertised to the public.

While New Jersey and Massachusetts don’t require sellers to be honest about their haunted house, they do have to be honest when buyers ask them directly.

Minnesota has a “buyer beware” rule that states that sellers do not have to disclose paranormal activity, and that it is the buyer’s responsibility to do the investigation if something doesn’t add up.

Do your homework before closing

Before you sign on the dotted line, be honest about how you feel at home. If there is a negative energy, you may experience a certain heaviness or fear when you are in the property.

“This is something you should pay attention to when you view the property for the first time, but also when you are there at other times, for example during the home inspection,” Schmidt advises.

Also remember to do your own research, ideally before placing a bid. Schmidt explains that if the house is more than 100 years old, there’s a good chance someone died in it or a wake for a deceased person was held there.

You can search online to see if events have occurred that could claim lives in the home, such as a natural disaster, fire or murder.

“A great resource that I recommend to anyone concerned about whether someone has passed into the property DiedInHouse.com. For a small fee they will tell you if someone has died in the house,” says Schmidt.

Finally, Zulanas recommends that you invest in all contractual inspections plus additional paranormal-oriented inspections. These can give you some peace of mind and prevent expensive repairs from things like mold, termites, and asbestos, as well as warn you of the many bumps you’ll encounter overnight in your new abode!