Ghosts Are Scary, but 95% of Americans Are More Afraid of Home Repairs (2024 Data)

Haunted House Owners | Selling Haunted Real Estate | Haunted House Indicators | Cleansing a Haunted House | Buying Haunted Real Estate | Price for a Haunted House | Home-Buying Fears | Scariest Aspects of Homeownership | Properties More Terrifying Than a Haunted House | What Makes a House Feel Haunted

Haunted houses will be teeming with visitors looking for a thrill this spooky season, but for many Americans, a haunted house isn't just a novel attraction they tour once a year. It's a place they call home.

About 1 in 7 Americans (14%) believe they've lived in a real haunted house, according to a new study from Real Estate Witch. Of those, 1 in 9 Americans (11%) knew the home was bewitched before they moved in and still chose to live there. 

Americans who have lived with ghosts, however, are haunted by remorse. About 27% regret buying a haunted home, and 54% would not purchase another house they knew was possessed.

Although 73% of haunted homeowners wouldn't recommend it to others, buyers in this monster of a real estate market may risk it, especially for a lower price. More than half of Americans (54%) who have never lived in a haunted house would consider buying one. 

Keep reading, if you dare, to find out what's scarier than a haunted house. 

1 in 7 Americans Believe They've Lived in a Real Haunted House

Americans may be willing to open their homes to spirits from the otherworld during spooky season, but for some homeowners, living with ghosts is a year-round reality.

About 1 in 7 Americans (14%) believe they've lived in a real haunted house.  

Of course, Americans are more likely to believe they’ve lived in a haunted house if they already believe in the supernatural. With 79% of millennials and 71% of Gen Z saying they're believers, it's no surprise they are also the most likely to claim they've lived with ghosts. 

About 25% of Gen Z and 18% of millennials think they've lived in a real haunted house, compared to just 10% of boomers who say the same.

Although a majority of Americans say they've never lived in a possessed property, 74% believe it's possible for a house to be haunted — with 37% saying they've even experienced unexplainable events in their home. 

Americans may claim to believe in the supernatural, but in practice, they may struggle to suspend their disbelief. About 72% of Americans who have lived in a haunted house say they've told others about the haunting, but 70% say they weren't believed. 

More Than 2 in 3 Homeowners Would Not Willingly Disclose a Haunted House

Not all buyers are afraid of things that go bump in the night, but most haunted homeowners recognize that creaking floorboards, flickering lights, and dark corners don't entice many home shoppers. 

Among those who have lived in a haunted house, 69% admit they are harder to sell, and 60% think they would sell for less. Their fear has merit, with 2 in 3 Americans (67%) saying they would expect sellers to discount the price of a haunted home. 

With ghosts jeopardizing their home sale profit, 68% of sellers would not willingly disclose their haunted house to potential buyers. Of those:

• 44% would only do so if it was required by law
• 15% would only do so if the buyer asked directly about supernatural experiences
• 2% would only do so if they thought the buyer wouldn't lower their offer

Some homeowners are so desperate to be rid of their haunted house that they'd risk breaking the law. About 1 in 16 sellers (6%) wouldn't ever disclose that their home is haunted, even if it was required by law.

About 42% of Americans would consider suing home sellers who knowingly sold them a haunted house, but it's unlikely a lawsuit would be successful.  

Just four states — Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York — have specific laws regarding the disclosure of haunted real estate. However, there is broad support among the American public for more transparency.  

About 65% of Americans believe the government should require home sellers to disclose if their house is haunted, and 81% believe real estate agents should be required to disclose if a property is stigmatized.

Nearly 90% of Haunted House Owners Didn't Know Their Home Was Haunted Before Moving in

As the housing market swings back toward buyers, home shoppers can afford to be more selective about the properties they choose. With buyers less willing to overlook a few ghouls to secure a home, it's likely fewer sellers are disclosing paranormal activity. 

Of those who have lived in a haunted house, 89% say they did not know the house was haunted before they moved in — up from 73% in 2023. 

Americans say they discovered their home was haunted because of:

• Strange noises (66%)
• Feelings of being touched or watched (52%)
• Strange shadows around the home (47%)
• Eerie or haunted feelings in certain rooms (43%)
• Ghost sightings (40%)

Although most homeowners were shocked to discover paranormal activity in their home, 1 in 9 (11%) say they knew about the home's haunting and still chose to live there. 

It may seem crazy to willingly let the likes of Beetlejuice wreak havoc on a home, but homeowners who knew their house was haunted before moving in insist their experience was more positive. In fact, 67% say they chose to live with ghosts because they were friendly. 

They say spectral inhabitants are also a small price to pay for: 

• A house they love (60%)
• A larger yard or more land (40%)
• A lower price (33%)
• A safer neighborhood (27%)

Despite the potential perks, 58% of Americans who have lived with ghosts would not purchase another house they knew was haunted.

Not all haunted homeowners are lucky enough to live with a friendly ghost like Casper. It's more likely they experienced spirits that caused fear and emotional distress:

• 65% of haunted homeowners felt more stressed living in their house.
• 52% lost sleep living in a haunted house.
• 50% say living in a haunted house scared them.
• 36% felt unsafe in their haunted house.
• 32% dreaded returning home because of their haunted house.

Overall, nearly 2 in 3 haunted homeowners (63%) say there are no benefits to living in a haunted house, and more than 1 in 4 (27%) regret it.

Only 1 in 4 Homeowners Would Move Immediately If They Discovered Their House Was Haunted

Some daredevils might be thrilled to learn their house is haunted, but it's most likely a frightening surprise for unsuspecting homeowners. 

Residents want to feel safe in their homes, and unexplainable events are more likely to put them on edge. Americans say they would be most afraid to experience:

• Objects moving or levitating on their own (36%)
• Feelings of being touched or watched (25%)
• Ghost sightings (13%)

Despite haunted happenings in their home, fewer than 1 in 4 homeowners (23%) would move immediately upon discovering their house is haunted — especially when high home prices and limited inventory make braving the housing market a much scarier alternative.  

Before relocating, homeowners would try to:

• Cleanse the home (31%)
• Coexist with the ghosts (28%)
• Conduct an exorcism (15%)
• Contact the ghosts (13%)
• Salt the entryways (9%)

Even after attempts to remedy the situation, some phenomena are too creepy to endure. Americans say they would move immediately if:

• A serious crime was committed in the home (42%)
• Objects moved or levitated on their own (41%)
• They experienced feelings of being touched or watched (36%)
• They saw ghosts (29%)
• They learned about a crime or death in the home prior to their occupancy (27%)

More Than Half of Americans Could be Persuaded to Buy a Haunted House

Although 73% of homeowners who have lived with ghosts say they wouldn't recommend it to others, more than half of Americans would ignore their warning. 

About 54% of Americans would dare to buy a haunted house, but 34% of those would do so only under certain conditions. 

What could possibly possess someone to buy a haunted house? Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (72%) say they would do so for a lower price. Besides price, Americans would also consider buying a haunted house if:

• It had friendly ghosts (55%) 
• It was located in a safer neighborhood (42%)
• The seller offered concessions and was willing to negotiate (41%)
• The home was cleansed before moving in (39%)
• It has a large yard (36%)

Another 36% of Americans say they'd buy a haunted house if it had modern renovations or appliances. But buyers beware. About 42% of respondents believe renovating a house could stir up spirits and displease them with the disturbance to their home.

82% of Home Buyers Would Offer Below Market Value for a Haunted Home

Americans could be convinced to buy a haunted house, but they wouldn't pay full price for a home that comes with unwanted roommates who don't pay rent.

Even if everything about the property met their criteria, 82% say they'd only offer below market value on a haunted house. That's up from 62% a year ago, when the market was more friendly to sellers. 

As home inventory has increased, buyers can be more selective and negotiate even greater savings. About 43% of buyers would offer at least $50,000 below market value on a haunted house, and 18% would offer at least $100,000 below market value. 

That's 39% and 64% more, respectively, than the percentage of buyers who would have done the same in 2023.

Nearly 2 in 3 Americans Wouldn't Feel Comfortable in a Haunted House

Despite the potential savings, 65% of Americans say they would feel uncomfortable living in a haunted house — especially if they're alone. 

Almost 3 in 4 Americans (71%) say living by themselves would make them less likely to reside in a haunted house long term. About 1 in 3 Americans (31%) would be so spooked they wouldn't even spend one night alone in a haunted house — even if they were paid to do so. 

With 65% of haunted homeowners saying paranormal activity occurs most often in the evening and at night, it's not surprising few people would want to risk a sleepless night plagued by spirits from the otherworld.

However, a majority of Americans say a financial incentive could help them overcome their fear of sleeping in a haunted house alone. About 57% say they'd do it for the right price. Of those, 29% say they would need $10,000 or more.

About 1 in 8 (13%) brave souls would spend a night alone in a haunted house for free.

Americans are more likely to feel comfortable in a bewitched property if they have solidarity with the living when the supernatural strikes. A majority of respondents say living with friends (52%) or a spouse or partner (51%) would make them more likely to live in a haunted house. 

One exception is when it comes to living with children. About 80% say they would be less likely to live in a haunted house with their kids for fear of placing them in an environment that could cause stress, fear, or harm. 

Home Buyers Are More Worried About Costs Than Discovering Ghosts

Most Americans fear purchasing a home already inhabited by ghosts, but they're also haunted by the idea of purchasing any home — including those without supernatural activity. In fact, 87% of respondents harbor at least one fear about homeownership.

The most terrifying aspects of homeownership are almost all financial in nature:

• Unexpected costs (56%)
• High interest rates (44%)
• Nightmarish neighbors (43%)
• Inability to pay mortgage (39%)

With homeowners spending about $18,000 a year on home expenses on top of their mortgage and interest payments, it's no surprise hidden costs are the most common fear for the third year in a row. 

Rising prices has only added to the anxiety, with homeowners 12% more likely to be worried about surprise expenses in 2024 than they were in 2023. 

The good news is that the fear of high interest rates has dropped slightly from 46% in 2023 to 44% in 2024, reflecting the recent half-point drop in rates that has made financing a home a little less frightening.

Just 1 in 11 homeowners (9%) are worried they'll discover ghosts in their home. However, 93% of homeowners who have lived in a haunted house say they are more common than people believe.

95% of Americans Believe Home Repairs Are Scarier Than Ghosts

Forget ghosts. Just 5% of Americans say they are the scariest aspect of homeownership.

For the 95% of Americans who believe there's more to fear than pesky poltergeists, home repairs are what make owning a home truly scary. The home repair problems Americans find scarier than ghosts are:

• Mold (80%)
• Foundation issues (74%)
• Termites (73%)
• Asbestos (73%)
• Water damage (67%)
• Leaky roof (67%)

These damages are particularly sinister because they can compromise a home's safety and be quite costly to fix. Even worse, they leave few visible clues to alert home buyers of their presence. 

Invisible threats, such as lead paint and radon, can also cause occupants to experience serious health problems. But for some Americans, these real dangers aren't nearly as scary as what their imagination can conjure. 

More than one-third of Amerians (35%) don't think lead paint is scarier than a haunted house, and nearly half (49%) don't think radon is scarier.

Although not nearly as impactful to health and home, the wrong design choices can also horrify buyers. About 1 in 8 Americans think homes with a lot of wallpaper (12%) are more concerning than a haunted house, while 1 in 10 think homes with a lot of carpet (10%) are more concerning.

Living With Ghosts Is Preferable to Political Neighbors

Real estate is all about location, and some are so bad they'd be downright terrifying places to live.

When purchasing a home, about 2 in 3 Americans (67%) say a property within a mile of a nuclear waste facility would be a dealbreaker. Americans say they'd also refuse to purchase:

• A home on top of a burial ground (60%)
• A home next to a nightclub (58%)
• A home that was a former meth lab (58%)
• A home within a mile of a prison (54%)
• A home next to a busy highway (53%)

Only 1 in 3 Americans (36%) say they would not buy a home that is confirmed to be haunted. They're even less concerned about whispers of a haunted house, with just 22% saying a house rumored to be haunted would be a dealbreaker.

Although the percentage of Americans who wouldn't buy a haunted house is small, they're so spooked by the prospect of living with ghosts that they would endure major inconveniences to avoid it: 

• 61% of Americans would prefer a house with no internet access over a haunted house.
• 57% would prefer a house with a long commute to work over a haunted house.
• 52% would prefer a house with bad cell phone reception over a haunted house.

Although few people are dying to live in a haunted house, it may still be preferable to other properties.

About 79% of Americans would rather live in a haunted house than one with frequent break-ins. More than half would also choose a haunted house over one with frequent power outages (58%) and constant construction noise (56%). 

What's more, 42% of Americans would rather live in a haunted house than next door to outspoken Republicans, while 36% would rather live in a haunted house than next to outspoken Democrats.

The sentiment proves that, in an election year, sometimes the scariest aspect of homeownership isn't the unwelcome ghouls inside a house, but rather, those living next door.

Americans Believe Someone Who Died Tragically Is Most Likely to Haunt a House

Ghosts aren't particularly choosy about where they live, but 65% of Americans believe some places are more likely to be haunted than others. Jails, hospitals, and hotels are prime haunts for ghosts, but so are American homes. 

Hollywood has portrayed haunted homes as old Victorian mansions filled with cobwebs and dilapidated furniture. The image has firmly embedded itself in the public psyche, with Americans saying the following decor gives homes a haunted feel:

• A large number of dolls (40%)
• Gothic furnishings (39%)
• Dim lighting (36%)
• Taxidermy/animal heads (34%)
• Old paintings/portraits (33%)

However, even modern homes with updated infrastructure and interiors can succumb to a haunting. More than 1 in 4 homeowners who have lived with ghosts (26%) say their home was fewer than 50 years old. 

In the end, the likelihood of a haunting is influenced more by the home's occupants than by its age. Most Americans believe ghosts have some connection to the home they haunt:

• 61% believe someone who died tragically in the home is most likely to haunt it.
• 57% believe spirits connected to the land or property are most likely to haunt it.
• 34% believe previous homeowners or occupants are most likely to haunt it.
• 18% believe animals or pets that once lived in the home are most likely to haunt it.

Although ghosts are commonly thought to haunt places that have a connection to their past life, that's not always the case. Just 32% say an unknown entity is most likely to possess a property.

Methodology

Clever Real Estate surveyed 1,000 American adults to discover their views on buying and selling haunted houses. The survey was conducted Sept. 12 to 13, 2024. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

About Real Estate Witch

You shouldn’t need a crystal ball or magical powers to understand real estate. Since 2016, Real Estate Witch has demystified real estate through in-depth guides, honest company reviews, and data-driven research. In 2020, Real Estate Witch was acquired by Clever Real Estate, a free agent-matching service that has helped consumers save more than $160 million on realtor fees. Real Estate Witch's research has been featured in CNBC, Yahoo! Finance, Chicago Tribune, Black Enterprise, and more.

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