How To Sell A Haunted House

A good challenge every now and then is good for the mind and the soul. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for us, real estate provides a broad range of situations. Many could inspire the next record-breaking film that graces the big screen. Drama, comedy, romance, you name it; yes, even horror.

Stigmatized properties (or stigma real estate) are among the biggest challenges anywhere. Some are a little more simple than others, like a decades-old case of asbestos or UFFI that won’t present an issue unless disturbed.

Then there are haunted houses, a home stigma like no other. Whether a believer or a skeptic, no one can deny the power of a rumour once it takes hold.

If you put your house up for sale and then a story circulates, you are definitely in for an interesting ride. In this post, we’ll talk all about how to sell a haunted house.

If you’re ready to sell, our detailed Seller’s Guide is a tool you will want to keep handy. Download your copy right here.

True Home Selling Story From Beyond

Today’s post may very well sound reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock tale, except every word is true, and somehow, each member of our team survived to tell the story.

We were tasked with selling the Burnham Mansion, an esteemed historic site in Peterborough with a rich and fascinating past. It was originally constructed in 1873 as a private residence for the wealthy Burnham family. Executors for the estate later sold the home, which sat vacant from 1966 to 1974 when it reopened as Burnham Steakhouse.

When we took on the listing, the Burnham Mansion was a famed aspect of Peterborough’s heritage. At the time, it hosted a veterinary clinic on the main level and a spacious, fully modernized apartment on the second level.

With so much investment potential, convenient highway access, and more than 2 acres to offer, this property should have been an absolute breeze to sell. Investors should have been lined out the door, offers in hand. Except for one small problem. Yes, it was haunted, at least reportedly so.

Ghosts or no ghosts, there are plenty of reasons to seek your next home in Peterborough. Learn why in the posts below:

Haunted House For Sale: Odd Happenings All Included

Like most paranormal activities, there was no documented proof. However, the Internet was rife with stories of strange phenomena, lights turning on for no reason, mysterious footprints on dusty floors and furniture that seemed to move by itself.

Of course, no respectable haunted house would be without the obligatory cold spots in certain spaces. And let’s not forget the disembodied voices. Burnham Mansion had all of these great, spooky things, and more.

It’s all fun and games when you’re telling spine-tingling tales around a campfire. But when you’re trying to sell a property? That takes a little more finesse. It’s not like you can just hang out a “Haunted House For Sale” sign and expect many takers. Stigma houses are always a little more complex.

The Implications of Selling Stigmatized Property (Ontario)

No matter what, a real estate agent’s first step is to conduct research and understand the situation from all angles. We put on our buyer’s hat, and try to think what terms they might be searching for. Armed with information, we can help to soothe a worried buyer’s fears. These are some of the questions we might expect:

How to Find Out if Someone Died in Your House

Buyers could lean on official resources like public or online databases. More often than not, they could turn to online services like “Creepy House” or “House Creep” to hunt down the sordid details. The bottom line is that every house has a story. Even a brand new build sits on land that is older than time.

Do Realtors Have to Disclose Death in a House (Canada)?

“Have to” are strong words. Every real estate agent must disclose latent defects. These are flaws not visible upon a casual inspection that might impact liveability. Someone dying in a house is a different issue. It doesn’t mean that no one can live there safely.

Ethically, it gets a bit more complicated. A Realtor® must be transparent and honest. Under those guidelines, we should disclose a death in the home if the knowledge would affect a buyer’s decision. If they explicitly ask, the rules of disclosure are even more clear and we must provide a truthful answer.

Selling a haunted house isn’t the only challenge Jeff & Katie are happy to rise to. Here are some other scenarios we can help with:

Here’s How to Sell Your Haunted House

Since it would be unethical to hide a stigma, we must find a way to work with the situation. Ideally, we’ll focus on finding a buyer who is intrigued by the idea of living alongside a ghost or two. The market consists of all kinds of interesting people. As we speak, it’s almost certain that someone out there is searching for “Haunted houses for sale near me.”

Rather than trying to soothe the fears of an apprehensive buyer, those are the ones we want to reach. At the very least, we want someone who is not spooked by rumours of hauntings. That is where real estate marketing comes in.

In addition, we turn to our network. After years of serving Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and surrounding areas, we have connections to countless other agents and brokerages. Each of these agents has an extensive database of clients who are eagerly searching for a new home. There’s a good chance we can find a ghost-friendly potential buyer for your haunted (or otherwise stigmatized) house, just as we did for the Burnham Mansion.

Are you ready for a change? Our Peterborough real estate agents can guide you through even complex selling situations. Reach out to team@jeffandkatie.ca or call 705-243-9797 to start the conversation today.