New Survey Shows Over Half of Americans Open to Buying Haunted Houses

Over Half of Americans Would Buy a Haunted Home -- If the Price Was Right

A fascinating new report from Real Estate Witch has uncovered that more than half (52%) of Americans expressed willingness to buy a haunted house, provided the price was appropriate. This highlights a curiosity about the supernatural that consumes many homeowners, albeit it may be more of a novelty than a deterrent in real estate transactions.

The survey revealed that while a significant number find haunted homes intriguing, a majority still harbors practical concerns regarding their potential home. Specifically, it was noted that 94% of respondents are more anxious about common household issues like mold (70%) and asbestos (63%) than they are about ghostly occurrences. This indicates that for many, mundane threats often outweigh supernatural fears.

Among the respondents, two-thirds (68%) indicated they would offer below the asking price for a haunted property. Interestingly, only 32% of current haunted homeowners seem to anticipate selling for less than the fair market value. This disparity suggests a potential disconnect between buyers’ expectations and sellers’ beliefs regarding property values in a haunted real estate market.

Delving deeper, 63% of Americans who claim to have lived in haunted houses believe that it would indeed be challenging to sell such properties. Transparency appears to be a concern, with 68% confirming they would be reluctant to disclose a haunting to prospective buyers. Despite these reservations, 41% of haunted property owners expect to fetch prices above market value, which starkly contrasts the merely 16% of buyers willing to make similarly inflated offers on such homes.

Reflecting on generational attitudes, the data reveals that approximately 19% of Americans believe they have inhabited a haunted dwelling. This belief is pronounced among younger generations, with 30% of Gen Z and 24% of millennials claiming past encounters with the spectral, in comparison to merely 10% of baby boomers. Among those who experienced hauntings, a surprising 25% chose to live in those homes deliberately—a notable increase from just 11% the previous year.

While a substantial 57% of participants admitted they would feel uneasy living in a haunted house, more than three-quarters (74%) wouldn't hastily vacate if they discovered a haunting post-purchase. Furthermore, 68% would stay put even upon witnessing a ghostly apparition. The perceived comfort in deal-breaking real estate scenarios skews intriguingly. For instance, over half (52%) of Americans would categorically refuse to live near a nuclear waste facility, an alarming criterion contrasting the 22% who would entirely dismiss a property due to rumors of it being haunted.

In a revealing statistic, an equal proportion of Americans (approximately 50%) would prefer a home haunted by spirits over one occupied by a hoarder or a person with offensive body odor. This illustrates a rather progressive acceptance of the paranormal compared to potential interpersonal discomfort.

Thus, this study not only provides insight into American attitudes toward the paranormal in real estate but also sheds light on broader perspectives surrounding homeownership, home repair concerns, and the weight people assign to fears, both tangible and intangible. As the ghostly allure of haunted properties continues to draw interest, it's clear that for many Americans, the charm of a haunted home could well outweigh the trepidation.

For more details, you can access the full report from Real Estate Witch at Real Estate Witch Haunted House Report.

About Real Estate Witch
Real Estate Witch is part of Clever Real Estate, assisting buyers and sellers with expert real estate opinions. The publication reaches millions via its insightful content, creating a bridge between dreams and reality in the real estate marketplace.