‘Haunted’ Houses For Sale: What To Know Before Buying

Do you ever watch a scary movie about a haunted house and wonder if you could live there? Could you deal with the sound of phantom footsteps and slamming doors in the middle of the night? Could you handle staring into the eyes of a ghostly apparition or having to dodge objects flying off the shelves?

Watching it happen on the screen is one thing. Experiencing it in real life is another.

If you’re serious about moving into a home with a reputation for being haunted, you’ll likely want to do your research before you buy so you can decide if you’re comfortable with the property, its history and the type of haunting you may encounter.

Here’s some important information you should know before buying a “haunted” house.

What To Consider Before Looking At Haunted Houses For Sale

If you’re thinking about buying a haunted property and turning it into a family home, you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the right space for your needs, your goals and your family’s future.

While buying a haunted home can seem like a lot of fun, you’ll want to consider a few points before you start actively looking for a haunted property. These include:

• How it impacts your family: Before you decide to share your home with spirits, think about how living in a house with a reputation for ghostly activity could affect your loved ones. If you have small children, they may be scared of the home and feel uncomfortable in their own rooms.
• What you’ll do with the home: Think about how you’ll use the property before you buy. Remember, if you’re buying it to live in, you’ll have to deal with any features that contributed to its reputation. These could include creaking floorboards, gusty window drafts or just a generally foreboding atmosphere. On the flip side, if you’re trying to turn it into a business venture like a haunted attraction or a bed-and-breakfast, the haunting may drum up business.
• The future resale value: Haunted houses can be easy to sell if you find the right buyer, but finding that buyer can take time. Often, sellers have to accept lower offers when they’re ready to move just so they can get out of the home.

If you’re confident that buying a haunted house is the right move for you, that’s great. If not, you can always look at other homes in the area.

The Benefits Of Buying A Haunted House

Buying a haunted home may mean sharing your space with unseen housemates, but it can be a great option for those interested in the paranormal. Below are a few benefits you’ll experience when you purchase a haunted house rather than a normal home:

More Negotiating Power

Haunted homes, especially those with dark histories, may be harder to sell. And when a homeowner is struggling to sell their home, they may be more open to negotiating the asking price.

Even some of the most beautiful haunted mansions can sit on the market for months, even years, and many may have their prices drop by thousands of dollars. Past homes have even dropped by millions. You could get a great deal on a gorgeous, historic mansion if you buy one that’s presumably haunted.

Income Potential

Many of the owners of the scariest haunted homes in America have turned the structures into hotels, restaurants or museums. If you’re looking for a way to make extra money, you could host overnight stays, paranormal tours and ghost-hunting events.

If anything, it’ll make your Airbnb listing stand out. Just make sure you get the proper permits and take the right safety precautions before letting strangers in your home.

The Drawbacks Of Buying A Haunted House

Although buying a haunted house may have benefits, it’s not the right move for everyone. Next are a few potential downsides of buying a haunted property to consider before you start looking at homes.

You May Have Trouble Attracting Visitors

Not everyone is keen on sharing their space with a spirit, so don’t be surprised if some of your family members and friends decline an invite to stay over. If you’re planning on entertaining guests often, you may be better off buying a house that isn’t haunted.

The Home May Be Harder To Sell

Haunted homes aren’t perfect for everyone. Don’t find it shocking when potential buyers aren’t interested in purchasing your home when you try to sell it. Many buyers want a home that’s quiet and free of disturbances. An active haunting may make it harder to sell your home or attract buyers willing to pay you what it’s worth.

It May Be Costly

Buying a haunted house may cost you more money than you thought. Many homes with a reputation for being haunted are older and could require significant repairs that your home inspection didn’t uncover.

Don’t Limit Your Search To Haunted Houses Alone

You could miss out on a really great place if you’re determined to move into a house that’s said to be haunted. While it’s important to get what you want in a home (even down to the supernatural), it’s important to prioritize your needs and focus on the more mundane aspects of a property.

Number of rooms, modern renovations, the neighborhood where the home is located, and any non-paranormal problems with the house are important factors to consider. Instead of trying to find the perfect home on your own, work with a real estate agent who can use their local expertise and training to find a place that fits your needs and best matches what you really want in a home – whether that includes ghoulish houseguests or granite countertops.

Famous Haunted Homes That Have Been On The Market

These higher-profile haunted houses have been on the market in recent years, and represent a rare chance to own a home that’s been the site of disturbing events, starred in movies, or both.

‘The Conjuring House’ In Rhode Island

According to the Associated Press, the house that inspired the movie called “The Conjuring” sold for $1.525 million in 2022. The movie didn’t feature the home, but tales of a family’s experiences with alleged paranormal activity in the home during the 1970s are the basis for the script.

The property dates back to 1736. The Perron family bought the property in 1970 and, soon after, supposedly began noticing that objects would often wind up in different places. They also found small piles of dirt on newly cleaned floors, it’s been said. The family’s five daughters claimed to see spirits and hear scraping noises in the home. 

Today, paranormal enthusiasts can camp on-site, stay in the home or take a tour in search of ghostly sightings – proof that the right haunted house can be a solid investment for the right buyer.

The Frankfort Haunted House In Illinois

A Victorian-style home that sold for $399,000 in March 2023 sounds like a solid deal with its granite countertops, new HVAC system, four bedrooms and over 3,000 square feet of house space. Also included in the sale price? A pair of “ghosts,” a history of murder and time spent as the set of a Netflix movie called “The Girl On The Third Floor.”

One former owner claimed that the ghosts of two girls, 10 and 12 years old at the time of their death, haunt the property. Visitors have also claimed to see the ghosts, as well as appliances turning on and off on their own.

The Priestley House In Mississippi

Now listed for $999,999, the over 5,200-square-foot Priestley House in Canton, Mississippi, dates back to 1852. However, it has all the features of a modern home – a pool, walk-in closets and a metal roof – along with its old-time elegance.

The original owners, Dr. James Priestley and his wife, Susan, both reportedly passed away inside the house. Other residents of the home claim to have witnessed or experienced hot spots, falling objects, the appearance of a ghostly woman and a piano that played on its own.

Previous owners allowed paranormal investigators to check the property. The ghost hunters reported problems with the batteries powering their instruments.

The Priestley House has been on the market since the winter of 2022.

The Bottom Line: Creepy Old Mansions For Sale Can Be Fun, But Consider All Angles First

Living in a haunted house can be an adventure, but it’s not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to consider how your new home will impact you and any family members or guests, as well as your lifestyle, before deciding to buy one of the creepiest places around.

If you’re interested in finding a haunted home for sale, or any other homes for sale near you, contact a Rocket Homes℠ agent to get more information and schedule a walkthrough.