CAN I SELL MY HAUNTED HOUSE?
Happy Halloween everyone!
Have you ever felt a draft that can’t be explained, or watched a door in your house slam shut when you’re home alone? Do you sometimes wake up in the morning to find that a cabinet is open… even though you could have sworn you closed them all? It’s more common than you think! In fact, 28% of surveyed Realtors once said they’ve had to sell a home or help a buyer who believes that their current home is haunted. If you think your house is haunted, you may be wondering: Are there ways to scientifically explain (and debunk) the spooky goings-on in my home? Will “perceived paranormal activity” affect my ability to sell the property? Here’s everything you need to know about living in a spooky home — and how to sell a house you suspect is haunted.
Per Minnesota’s disclosure laws, sellers must state if there are any “material facts” that could affect the buyers’ use or enjoyment of the property. But there is one exception to this law.
Home sellers DO NOT have to disclose “perceived paranormal activity” to any homebuyers. This law was put into effect after a homeowner in New York sued when they found out they were about to buy a “haunted” house.
Is your house haunted — or in need of repairs?
There’s a longstanding feud between scientists who believe they can explain away most paranormal activities and the real-life ghostbusters who spend their time communicating with the other side.
And while we’re a no-judgment zone, we do know that some drafts, sounds and light flashes can be explained logically. So before you decide that you have to sell your haunted house, try looking into these alternative causes for haunted happenings.
What’s causing that draft?
If your home has unexplained cold areas or the doors keep slamming shut, don’t immediately assume there’s a ghost in your house, upset that you replaced her vintage door knocker. Check windows, doors and your chimney to ensure they are all properly sealed and see if the drafts are eliminated once the gaps are filled in.
What’s that noise?
Before you decide that the noises in your walls or attic are due to paranormal activity, put out traps or hire a professional to check for rodents, bats and squirrels. Even small critters can make deceivingly loud noises that are easy to mistake for an intruder or apparition.
Seeing flickering?
Whether your lights flicker on and off or the bulbs burn out quickly without explanation, consider hiring an electrician to check for electricity shorts in your home.
Spotting orbs in photos?
Do your photos tend to include orbs or flashes of light that don’t come from your interior lighting? Make sure that your camera lens is clean of dust, debris and hair particles. If the orbs only show up occasionally, keep in mind that they could be from floating dust particles — which is especially common in attics, basements and other rooms with low traffic and minimal upkeep. cenes inside your house, be sure to check carbon monoxide levels immediately. After prolonged exposure, the toxic gas can lead to hallucinations that are even more dangerous than they appear.
Top tips for selling a haunted house
If you check the above and still believe that your house is haunted, you’ll want to behave like any typical home seller would as they list their home for sale. Get to work fixing up the small issues your house has, taking special care to:
Trim up overgrown vines, shrubs and trees.
Repair cracks in the walls.
Light the pathways and driveway for nighttime visitors.
Brighten the home’s interior with a light, neutral paint color.
Fix creaky floorboards.
Close up drafts near windows or doors.
Clean out storage areas in your attic and basement.
Is there anything else I can do about my haunted house?
If logical explanations fail, and you’re not ready to move on, consider doing some research on your home’s history. The property’s location and past owners may be able to help clarify what you are seeing and hearing. If it would give you peace of mind, you can also hire a paranormal team to assess the home.
And if it’s time to meet with a professional about selling your home, reach out today for help. Together, we can make the right selling plan, whether your home is haunted by ghosts, too many belongings… or you just want a fresh start.
