It’s officially spooky season, which means witches, ghosts, and ghouls can lurk around every corner. A little fright every once in a while is fun, but what do you do if you end up living in haunted quarters and the nightmare lasts past Halloween? When it comes to buying a haunted house, there are a few steps you can take to make sure to protect yourself before, during, and after the deed is signed.
How to Avoid Buying a Haunted House
The key to making sure you don’t end up buying a haunted house is to do proper research. When you’re looking at potential neighborhoods, make sure you review the home’s history, any properties that have been torn down, and the history of your prospective home. You can get a lot of the information you need by asking the seller’s agent directly. If you’re suspicious of anything, you can always use a service like DiedInHouse.com which allows you to access death records at specific addresses.
Of course, not every potential presence can be confirmed with proper research, so make sure you check for spooky feelings or energies when you go to your first home visit. Even if you’re not entirely sure, your gut will know if you’ve found the right home… or the wrong one.
Steps to Take if You Buy a Haunted House
Even if you take all the right steps, there’s a chance you may still end up with some spooky roommates – especially if you buy a particularly old home or if the seller wasn’t upfront about the history. If you end up signing the deed to a haunted house, there are a few steps you can take.
First, check to make sure it’s actually haunted. Cold spots, creaks, or flickering lights may seem like an indication of a paranormal presence, but they could really just mean your new home is particularly old and could use some updating. In many cases, updating wiring, HVAC, or doing other home repairs can fix those problems. If you notice you’re feeling light-headed or have “ominous” feelings when you’re home, it’s probably a good idea to check for a carbon monoxide or natural gas leak, as those can create many of the creepy symptoms you may feel if you think there’s ghosts about.
Once you determine if the haunt is legit, you can take one of two steps. If you’re set on living in your home, you can call a local ministry person of your preference to bless or cleanse the house. A smudge of sage or a blessing can go a long way in ridding a home of spirits if you’re a believer. However, if you feel your encounters are more ominous in nature, you may need to call in an exorcist to rid your home of any evil presences.
If you feel you’ve been scammed into buying a haunted house, it’s time to review your legal options. While you may not be able to get away with suing on the grounds that you bought a haunted house without knowing, it’s possible that you could take legal action because the seller was not transparent about the history of the house. These laws vary from state to state, so make sure you know the history disclosure rules in the state you’re moving. In most cases, the seller and agent cannot obscure any facts about the house, but they’re not legally required to tell you about deaths so it’s up to you to do your due diligence if you don’t want to purchase a home with a grim history.
The most important point to remember (when buying a haunted house or not) is not to deplete your savings on a home purchase. While it is likely going to be your biggest investment, you don’t want to get stuck in a situation you can’t afford to get out. Looking for a lender who will work to help you find the best mortgage for your situation - and strive to make sure you don’t end up with any spooky co-borrowers? Contact one of the experienced lenders at Flat Branch Home Loans today!
