Chills, Thrills, and Disclosure Skills: How to Sell a Haunted House

by William Brown

banner title graphic: How to sell a haunted house

About this time of year, goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are all the rage, but what if you’re experiencing some seriously scary stuff in the months outside of October? We’ve all had it happen. The chill that runs down your spine, the lights flickering in the hallway… Some can simply shrug off that eerie feeling, but when these spooky occurrences continue to arise, you may come to some haunting conclusions.

The good news is, if you think your house is haunted, you’re not alone. In a 2020 survey from Realtor.com, 13% of Americans said they believe the home they currently live in is haunted. While living in a haunted house doesn’t mean you have to pack your bags immediately. If you’re ready to put a for sale sign in the yard, there are some things you should know first.

Determine if your house is really haunted

This is the only paragraph where we will reason with any skeptics or cynics, but the truth is that a potential maintenance issue with a home is more likely than a haunting. However, both can be equally scary.

Sometimes, homes make noise, especially when they are older, and several chilling stories could be solved with a repairman instead of a ghostbuster. Flickering lights? Maybe call an electrician. Windows slamming shut when no one else is home? It might be time to replace them.

Some other instances of paranormal activity could be animals acting weird, strange shadows, and unusual smells. These could still be not paranormal, though, like your pet is sick, the shadows are a result of faulty lighting, or some plumbing issues. Checking for carbon monoxide leaks is also a good idea, as it can cause hallucinations or sickly feelings.

But…did you see a stranger walking down the hallway and suddenly disappear into thin air? Okay, it sounds haunted; sell the home!

Don’t be spooked by disclosures – work with an agent

In the state of Ohio, REALTORS are not required to disclose if a murder or suicide happened at the property for sale or if the home is believed to be haunted; however, many agents may encourage transparency to protect their sellers from potential legal issues.

When it comes to understanding how much you should tell potential buyers about your home’s frightening history, always trust the advice of your real estate professional.

Kill any eerie rumors and stigma

Another area where picking the right agent is crucial. Whether you’re selling a haunted home or just a house that buyers may think is haunted, property marketing is important, and so is working with an agent who will treat your listing with professionalism and expertise, which includes combating any stigma. Your agent may even suggest making some improvements to the house to give it a fresh (non-haunted) new look.

By having an agent who isn’t in it for the “press” of the haunted house novelty, they can help you get around the stigma and market your house to the perfect buyer. You don’t have to accept a low offer right away; your ideal buyer is out there!

Be prepared to lower the price

Even though you don’t have to accept a low offer right away, depending on the intensity of hauntings, lower the price. However, this can be said whether your home is haunted by vengeful spirits or bad wallpaper. If your home in any way poses a challenge to sell, it’s best to prepare yourself that lowering the price may be the only option to get buyers through the door.

We hope you never need the tips above, but if you are planning to sell your home for any reason, call a Coldwell Banker Heritage agent today!