Every house has a history, but what if the house you’re trying to sell has a history that is a bit more…ghoulish than most? If you or your community believes a house is haunted, it can make selling a bit more difficult. However, there are several options for someone with a spooky property to sell. Here are some tips for selling a ‘spooktacular’ property.
The first thing you will want to establish is if you are required to inform potential buyers of their future paranormal roommates. To answer that, you will want to consult your Realtor® about your state’s disclosure laws. “Haunted houses fall into the category of stigmatized properties, says Peter Ilani, UCBR President “Laws vary by state, so you may be required to inform buyers in writing of any possible problems.”
Even if you don’t have to disclose, it’s still a good idea to give your buyers a heads up. “If your house is known around the community to be haunted, the spooks will eventually let the buyer know,” said Ilani. “It can create a lot of goodwill if can tell potential buyers to expect a couple of bumps in the night.”
Turn the ghoulish house into a selling perk: there is a chance that your haunted house may even be a unique selling point. “Strange as it may sound, there are people who would love to live in a haunted house,” said Ilani. A survey from realtor.com®, revealed that nearly 60% of respondents would consider buying a haunted house. “You can work with a Realtor® to tap into that market in your community, perhaps marketing to clubs or organizations with an interest in the supernatural.”
If you can’t find an amateur paranormal investigator to buy your house, it might be time to lower the price. That same realtor.com® survey showed that 40% of buyers would require a price reduction in order to choose a haunted home over a non-haunted home.
“If you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, bringing the selling price down might be your only option,” said Ilani, “If ghosts and ghouls have generated interest in your property, than a bargain price should do the trick.” Your local Realtor ® can advise you on the best decision in making your haunted property attractive to the new owner this selling season. For more information, give us a call at (845) 338- 5299, we’re here to help!
