HAUNTED HOUSE … FOR SALE

Things that go bump in the night; appliances that turn on themselves; plates that fly off shelves; chains that rattle in the attic; eerie specters; and a strange or brutal past: these are the makings of great ghost stories and horror films. And a pretty good indication it’s time to call the Ghostbusters. So what do you do if these things are happening in your house and you want to move?

While it may seem crazy to some, in a “Haunted House Report” conducted by Realtor.com in 2013 over 36% of Americans reported that they have lived at one time or another in a haunted home. That’s over 1/3 of those polled! And in that same report, over 68% of these same Americans said they would consider buying a home already occupied by some spiritual guests. Of course, that number dramatically decreased depending on the nature of the haunting. Poltergeists and evil voices screaming, “Get out!” deterred even the bravest of buyers. But fear not! (Pun intended) If your home falls in the category of “haunted” there are things you can do to still procure a sale.

§  Is Your Home Really Haunted?

Ok. This seems like something to which a zombie would say “duh,” but for those who feel terrorized by the unseen – and possibly the undead – it’s not so clear cut. Truly haunted homes are actually quite rare even by Ghostbuster standards. The rise in TV shows and movies drawing awareness to the paranormal have caused more people to question oddities that they might otherwise have ignored. Here is your basic step by step guide to determine if your home is spook central:

1.       If it is noises that get your blood pressure rising, start logging the time they occur. Look for a pattern – does that rattle happen every time someone runs the faucet downstairs? Does the moaning coincide with the heater kicking on? Or do you hear that scratching noise every time Fido slides into his comfy spot against the wall? You get the idea.

2.       Shadows are another time-linked scarer. When are you seeing that shadow and where? Does it happen at the same time every day? Is it connected with the placement of a movable object or a passing car?

3.       Hot and cold spots are biggies on the paranormal meter. Start looking for logical explanations:  are there areas where there is a draft or maybe an over-insulated spot? The phrase “drafty old house” came into vogue for a reason. Old houses tend to be drafty. And even new construction can be notorious for keeping rooms at an inconsistent temperature.

4.       Check on the history of the home. While most paranormal experts will tell you that there is no real rhyme or reason why ghosts and poltergeists choose to haunt where they haunt, and some suggest they can just as easily attach to an object or a person as to a residence, it pays to do your homework on the property. Was there an event or events that took place in the house that might cause a spirit to want to remain? A home built on an ancient Indian burial ground seems a much more likely home for a ghoul than new construction in the burbs.

5.       Levitating objects or blood dripping down walls – OK. It might be time to call in the experts. On a good note, true paranormal experts don’t charge for their services – it is usually a hobby for them or they are researchers.

§  If You’re Really Living with a Ghosts or Ghosts

1.       If you’re pretty convinced your home is truly haunted, others will likely be as well because your own anxiety may leave a negative feeling in the rooms. First impressions mean a great deal when it comes to buyers. Before calling in the big guns, explore your own reactions to the spirit or spirits and see if simply accepting them vs. fearing them doesn’t make them go away.

2.       Call in a medium to kindly ask the spirit(s) to leave.  You can locate mediums by going through your local paranormal societies.

3.       Do a cleansing. This usually involves sage and there are directions on the internet.  Using a medium who specializes in cleansing homes is often recommended.

4.       If it’s a creepy poltergeist or horrific spook, it might be time to call in the clergy. Homes can be cleansed, blessed, and in extreme cases exorcised. In the case of the latter, the Catholic Church requires lots of proof before she sends out her people and there are only a handful of priests trained for this purpose.

§  Be Honest

1.       Disclosure laws may or may not come into play depending on your state. If you saw a ghost once a few years ago, you’re probably in the clear; but if you have frequent problems of which the neighbors are aware or your home is notorious, you are living in what could be considered a stigmatized property. Some states such as Oklahoma require buyers to ask in writing if a home has been “psychologically affected,” and the seller must also answer back in writing. Others have specific laws requiring disclosure, and still others have no laws governing spirits at all. Withholding such information to a buyer in any state could potentially cost you a small fortune once the buyer discovers his new home came with unwanted guests. Bottom line: when in doubt, disclose.

2.       Talk to your realtor. He or she is your best resource on what must be disclosed. Ghosts are tricky. As a seller, you do not want to turn a few odd noises into a version of the Amityville Horror, but you don’t want to end up in a law suit when the neighbors share what they know.

3.       If the spooks are friendly and just won’t leave, you may have to embrace them and help buyers to do the same.  There are some buyers out there that find haunted homes charming and welcome the idea of living in one.

Like location, hauntings may be an unchangeable fact about your home. The one variable you can work with is price and like any home, if it’s priced to sell, it will! Happy Selling!