In today’s challenging housing market, buyers are learning to overlook all kinds of flaws outdated kitchens, noisy neighbors, or even a stubborn homeowners association. But what about something a little more spine-tingling, like a ghostly whisper in the night?
A new LendingTree survey of 2,000 Americans reveals that supernatural suspicions might not be the dealbreaker you’d expect. In fact, nearly one-third of respondents say they’d consider buying a home believed to be haunted, and a surprising 8% claim they’d actually pay more for the eerie experience.
Whether it’s curiosity, disbelief, or a good deal that draws them in, it turns out that haunted houses aren’t just Halloween stories they’re part of America’s real estate reality.
Key Findings from the Survey
- Haunted houses are surprisingly common. About 35% of Americans say they’ve lived in a home they believed was haunted, and half of those residents think their current home has paranormal activity.
- Ghosts can drive people away. Among those who think they’ve shared their space with spirits, 59% have considered moving and nearly one in five (19%) actually did.
- The price has to be right. While 56% of buyers say they’d avoid a haunted home altogether, 30% would consider it if the price was significantly lower. On average, buyers say the home would need to be discounted by at least 11% to make it worth the risk. Still, 8% admit they’d pay extra for the thrill of owning a haunted house.
- Americans want full disclosure. Nearly three-quarters (73%) believe sellers should be legally required to disclose any suspected hauntings. Ironically, 37% say that if they were the seller, they might keep the haunting a secret.
- Paranormal vs. practical problems. When asked to choose between hauntings and real-world home issues, 47% said they’d prefer ghosts to mold, 41% would take hauntings over bad neighbors, and 39% would choose supernatural roommates instead of structural problems.
Life in a “Haunted” Home
For many Americans, ghost stories are more than folklore they’re lived experiences. More than a third of respondents (35%) claim to have lived in a home they thought was haunted. For families with children, that number jumps to 49%, suggesting kids might be more attuned or more imaginative when it comes to the unexplained.
Interestingly, 19% of people who now believe their home is haunted say they had no such concerns before moving in. Once they settled, strange occurrences began to change their minds.
The survey also found that 15% of Americans have consulted a psychic or medium about paranormal activity in their home, while 16% admit there’s at least one room in their house they actively avoid because it “feels off.”
Common Paranormal Encounters
Among those who have experienced unusual activity, a striking 65% report some form of unexplained event. The most frequent include:
- Feeling a presence when no one else is around (24%)
- Pets reacting to something invisible (22%)
- Hearing unexplained noises (22%)
- Seeing shadowy figures or apparitions (19%)
- Hearing voices or whispers (17%)
- Feeling a touch or grab from an unseen source (15%)
- Objects moving or disappearing mysteriously (13%)
- Sudden temperature changes or flickering electronics (12%)
- Time anomalies, such as moments of lost time (9%)
While most describe these experiences as merely unsettling, some say they’ve been deeply affected emotionally, financially, or spiritually.
“You want your home to be a sanctuary a safe, comfortable place,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree and author of Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More. “If you start believing that something unseen is sharing your space, that sense of comfort can disappear quickly. It’s easy to see why some people choose to move.”
Haunted Homes vs. Real-Life Headaches
Interestingly, Americans seem more tolerant of ghosts than certain real-world nuisances. Nearly half of those surveyed said they’d rather live with possible spirits than deal with mold or structural issues. And when asked to choose between hauntings and bad neighbors, 4 in 10 said they’d pick the ghosts.
“It’s funny, but it makes sense,” Schulz added. “Mold remediation can cost thousands, and bad neighbors can’t always be fixed. A ghost? At least that’s not on your credit report.”
Haunted Real Estate: A Market Niche?
While haunted houses have traditionally been a tough sell, that may be changing. Some agents now specialize in “stigmatized properties,” and social media has created a growing fascination with paranormal real estate.
In fact, 8% of buyers said they’d pay more for a haunted home often citing history, character, or curiosity. Certain buyers see value in the mystique, and for investors or Airbnb hosts, a haunted reputation can even become a marketing advantage.
Real estate experts note that disclosure laws vary by state. In some places, sellers are required to reveal past tragedies or alleged hauntings if they could affect a buyer’s decision. In others, it’s up to the seller’s discretion.
The Bottom Line
For most homebuyers, location, price, and condition still outweigh the supernatural. But as this survey shows, not everyone is spooked by the idea of sharing space with something otherworldly.
Whether or not ghosts are real, the belief in them clearly shapes how Americans feel about their homes. And in a market where every discount helps, even haunted houses can find new owners especially if the spirits keep the noise down.For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.