How to sell a haunted house

Halloween is approaching, and haunted houses are all the rage. But with if you’ve got a real haunted house to sell?

If a house is rumored to be haunted or someone has died in the home, it may be a challenge to sell. According to the National Association of Realtors, such homes are referred to as stigmatized properties, and there are laws within individual states that govern sales. After checking with a lawyer in your area, consider the following to take the scare out of your sale.

Disclose, disclose, disclose. If a death occurred in the home within the last three years, the homeowner is legally obligated to disclose this fact before selling. If someone died of natural causes, no legal disclosure is warranted. However, if there was something in the home that contributed to an accidental death, such as an electrical problem, a disclosure is required. In the event that the home was a crime scene in which someone was killed, a buyer can sue the seller after the closing if they believe the property’s history will hurt its future value. In the event that owners were involved in criminal activity, full disclosure is also required before a sale is final.

Dispel rumors — and spirits. If a home is known in the area to be haunted, many real estate agents have hired professional ghostbusters or spiritual leaders to cleanse or bless the home. For a potential buyer who believes in the spirit world, this may give the home a new life. At the same time, holding an open house to show area residents that the home is just an average house should be enough to clear the air — if not the evil spirits.

Find bewitching buyers. Believe it or not, there is a substantial supernatural home buying market. A recent realtor.com survey found that 62% of buyers polled wouldn’t be deterred by a haunted house —and many would even prefer a home with such a colorful history. You can tap into this niche market by seeking out groups or individuals who have a special interest in paranormal phenomena. A spirited buyer just might be seeking out your spirit-filled home.