Spooky real estate deals

Posted by Al Lewis on October 18, 2012
Survey Said ...

Would you buy a haunted home?

Most people probably would, according a survey released today by Campbell, Calif.-based Realtor.com.

“Things that go bump in the night won’t be a problem for most sellers as long as the price is right,” the real estate website says.

I always thought haunted houses would command a premium given the popularity of ghosts on reality TV shows, but most people surveyed actually expect a discount. In any case, most people don’t seem to have a problem with the idea of a ghost.

According to Realtor.com’s survey, 32% of people say they would buy a house perceived to be haunted and another 33% said maybe. Only 35% said no way.

The survey’s findings are below:

 

——

HAUNTED REAL ESTATE SURVEY – CONSUMER SURVEY

 

Conducted from October 1, 2012 to October 3, 2012

1,910 survey respondents

 

 

Would you ever consider purchasing a home if you found out someone had passed away in it (assuming the home is otherwise a good fit)?

  • 41% – Yes, regardless of how the person passed away
  • 41% – Yes, if the person passed away of natural causes
  • 18% – No

 

Would you ever consider purchasing a home that was perceived to be “haunted?”

  • 32% – Yes
  • 33% – Maybe
  • 35% – No (end of survey)

 

What rumored spooky happenings would NOT stop you from purchasing a home (assuming the home is otherwise a good fit) (Select all that apply)?

  • 62% – Warm or cold spots
  • 48% – Strange noises (footsteps, doors slamming)
  • 44% – Objects being moved from where they were placed
  • 45% – Flickering lights/appliances
  • 43% – Strange sensations
  • 41% – Ghost sightings
  • 36% – Levitating objects
  • 35% – Strange voices
  • 24% – All of the above would stop me from purchasing a home

 

How much would a “haunted” home have to be discounted (from its market value) for you to decide to purchase it?

  • 15% – 0% I would pay full market value of the home
  • 12% – 1-10% less than market value
  • 17% – 11-20% less than market value
  • 18% – 21-30% less than market value
  • 19% – 31-50% less than market value
  • 17% – 51%+ less than market value
  • 2% – I would pay more than market value for a “haunted” home

 

If you decided to purchase a “haunted” home, would you seek professional help to eliminate the spooky happenings associated with the home?

  • 11% – Yes
  • 62% – Maybe, I would need to see if they bothered me
  • 27% – No