2025 Data: More Than Half of Buyers Aren't Afraid to Purchase a Haunted House

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Buying a home in this market can feel like jumping into a horror movie, with buyers bracing for all kinds of frightening surprises along the way.

Americans say the scariest aspects of homeownership come in the form of unexpected costs (53%), bad neighbors (52%), and high interest rates (47%). 

But rates, repairs, and real-world problems aren't the only fears keeping homeowners up at night. About 1 in 4 Americans (22%) worry they'll discover their home is haunted.

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) believe they've lived in a real haunted house, with 75% of those homeowners not knowing the home was haunted before they moved in.

Although a majority of Americans (57%) would feel uncomfortable living in a haunted house, the housing market is so terrifying that three-fourths (74%) would not move immediately if they discovered their house was bewitched.

In fact, some Americans would jump at the chance to live with ghosts if it meant getting a discount. More than half of Americans (52%) would dare to purchase a haunted house, with 73% of those saying they'd do so for a lower price. 

Keep reading to find out what's scarier than a haunted house in this frightening real estate market.

1 in 5 Americans Believe They've Lived in a Real Haunted House

The U.S. has spooky spots aplenty, from haunted hospitals to ghoulish graveyards and eerie inns. But another prime haunt for ghosts is American homes. 

It's not just a bunch of hocus pocus. A whopping 76% of Americans believe it's possible for a house to be haunted, and 82% think haunted houses are more common than people believe.

In fact, nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) believe they've lived in a real haunted house. 

But not everyone is thrilled about the arrangement. A slim majority of haunted homeowners (53%) insist there are no benefits to living in a haunted house — not even a lower price. For many, the experience is more tricks than treats:

• 52% of haunted house owners say they've lost sleep living in a bewitched property.
• 49% say living in a haunted house has scared them.
• 45% have avoided certain rooms of their home because of the haunting.
• 41% have felt unsafe in their haunted house.
• 41% have felt stressed in their haunted house.
• 35% have dreaded returning to their haunted home.

Living with ghosts might seem like a nightmare, but a surprising 72% do not regret living in a haunted house, and 47% claim it actually has its perks. 

In a housing market still plagued by high prices, Americans who aren't afraid of the paranormal can snag a good deal. More than 1 in 3 haunted homeowners (39%) say their house was less expensive than other homes in their area.

In fact, half of haunted house owners (50%) would purchase another house they knew was haunted. That's up from 42% who said the same a year ago as cost-conscious buyers have felt little relief in the market.

Gen Z Is 3x More Likely Than Boomers to Say They've Lived With Ghosts

Younger generations are the most likely to claim they've lived in a haunted house, with 30% of Gen Z and 24% of millennials saying they've roomed with ghosts. That's more than double the percentage of boomers (10%) who say the same.

Back in their day, it seems boomers chalked up mysterious noises to creaking floorboards and groaning pipes. Yet even with this rational mindset, 26% of the older generation admit they've experienced something unexplainable in their home. 

Younger generations are less reluctant to acknowledge the supernatural, with 79% of millennials and 75% of Gen Z saying they're believers. 

However, being so preoccupied with the paranormal can make their fears less rooted in reality, potentially leading to real-world consequences:

• 75% of Gen Z are more concerned about ghosts than radon, compared to just 37% of boomers.
• 64% of Gen Z are more concerned about ghosts than asbestos, compared to just 19% of boomers.
• 49% of Gen Z are more concerned about ghosts than mold, compared to just 18% of boomers.

What's more, roughly 1 in 8 zoomers (12%) say nothing would be scarier than a haunted house — 4x the percentage of boomers (3%) who say the same.

2025 Homeowners Are Twice as Likely to Knowingly Buy a Haunted House Than in 2024

Having survived a pandemic, persistent inflation, and multiple polarizing presidential elections, Americans aren't fazed by a few ghouls.

Among those who have lived in a real haunted home, 1 in 4 (25%) knew it was haunted and still chose to live there — more than double the 11% who said the same in 2024.

However, three-fourths of haunted house owners (75%) say they unknowingly purchased a bewitched property. They only discovered their home was haunted because of:

• Strange noises (59%)
• Feelings of being touched or watched (56%)
• Certain rooms having an eerie or haunted feeling (45%)
• Strange shadows around the home (37%)
• Cold or hot spots in the home (35%)

Paranormal Activity Has No Logical Explanation, According to Half of Haunted Homeowners

Americans blame ghosts for the spooky phenomena that occur in their homes, but so-called hauntings could have many rational explanations.

Some of the same homeowners who say their house is haunted because of strange noises also report that their home has creaky floorboards (44%), rattling pipes (21%), and animals in their attic or walls (19%).

Others who believe their home is haunted because of cold or hot spots say they have drafty doors and windows (30%), uneven heating and cooling between rooms (25%), as well as poor insulation (24%).

Yet almost half of haunted house owners (49%) say there are no logical explanations to the supernatural events that occur in their home.

When eerie events occur in their home, many haunted house owners are quick to assume ghosts are to blame.

If they heard footsteps in an empty house, 89% of Americans would attribute the sound to ordinary causes. But for those who have lived in a haunted house, a ghost seems like the most likely culprit. 

Nearly 1 in 4 (22%) would assume a ghost caused the sound — more than double the 10% of non-haunted house owners who would think the same.

The Market Is So Scary, 3 in 4 Americans Wouldn't Move Out of a Haunted Home

Although a majority of Americans (57%) say they would feel uncomfortable living in a haunted house, re-entering a housing market plagued by high prices and limited inventory is a much scarier alternative.

Three-fourths of Americans (74%) would not move immediately if they discovered their house was haunted. Instead of packing their bags, Americans would try to:

• Cleanse the home (32%)
• Coexist with the ghosts (30%)
• Conduct an exorcism (16%)
• Make contact with the ghosts (14%)
• Make the home more comfortable for the ghosts (12%)

However, not all attempts to peacefully remove or cohabitate with ghosts are successful, and homeowners are prepared to tolerate some truly terrifying phenomena to stay in their homes. 

Americans claim they wouldn't move even if:

• They saw a ghost (68%)
• They saw an unknown reflection in a mirror (67%)
• A serious crime was committed in their home (64%)
• They experienced feelings of being touched or watched (64%)
• Objects moved or levitated on their own (60%)

Not even the most eerie events could drive out 1 in 7 of the bravest Americans (15%), who say nothing could convince them to leave their home. These fearless homeowners refuse to move because:

• They love their home (40%) 
• They couldn't afford to move (29%)
• They're not easily spooked (29%)
• Moving is a hassle (21%)
• They love their neighborhood (20%)

2 in 3 Americans Would Not Disclose a Haunted House to Potential Buyers

The quarter of Americans (26%) who would bolt upon learning their house is haunted may want to hire a ghostbuster before calling their real estate agent. 

Of those who have never lived in a haunted house, only 2% say they'd actually want to. The vast majority of buyers are spooked by the thought of a haunted home. 

That can have a chilling effect on haunted properties, with 63% of haunted homeowners admitting they are harder to sell. Haunted houses can sit on the market longer and attract fewer buyers, causing some sellers to turn to cash-buying companies so they don't have to wait for someone brave enough to make an offer through the traditional process.

Rather than jeopardize their sale, 68% of Americans would not willingly disclose if their house was haunted. Of those:

• 41% would only disclose a haunting if it was required by law.
• 21% would only disclose a haunting if directly asked about supernatural experiences.
• 6% would never disclose a haunting, even if it was required by law.

About 44% of Americans would consider suing home sellers who knowingly sold them a haunted house, but just four states — New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota — have specific laws regarding the disclosure of haunted homes.

However, there is broad support for more transparency. About 67% think the government should require sellers to disclose a haunted house, and 78% think real estate agents should be required to disclose if a property is stigmatized.

More Than Half of Americans Would Dare to Buy a Haunted House

Although 57% of haunted house owners would not recommend it to others, ghosts don't scare today's house hunters — high prices do.  

More than half of Americans (52%) could be convinced to purchase a haunted house, but of those, 73% would only do so for a lower price. 

About 2 in 3 Americans (68%) would only offer below the asking price on a haunted home that otherwise met all their criteria. This may come as a frightful turn of events for haunted house owners, of whom only 32% expect to sell below market value. 

In a delusion as unfathomable as their property, 41% of haunted house owners expect to sell above market value — more than 2.5x the 16% of buyers who say they'd make such an offer on a haunted home.

Those haunted house owners are dreaming of offers that are downright otherworldly. About 22% expect an offer that's at least $50,000 above asking price, but just 9% of buyers say they'd pay that much.

Instead, buyers are 4x more likely to say they'd offer at least $50,000 below asking price (36%) than offer $50,000 above asking price (9%).

92% of Americans Believe Owners Who Claim Their Homes Are Haunted

Despite the potential savings, many Americans believe bunking with ghosts is a grave mistake. About 48% would not purchase a haunted house for any reason.

Those who refuse to purchase a haunted house have concerns about their mental and physical health, with 66% saying they'd have too much anxiety and 36% saying they'd worry about being physically harmed. 

For some, however, the real fear is being judged. Nearly 1 in 6 Americans (17%) would pass on a haunted house not because of the ghosts but because they don't want to be considered "weird."

Buyers who are worried about looking strange can relax. Americans view haunted house residents more positively than many might expect. About 1 in 3 respondents say haunted house owners are spiritually sensitive (39%), open-minded (36%), and interesting (33%). 

Those who have actually lived in a haunted house view themselves in an even kinder light, with 49% saying they're spiritually sensitive, 53% saying they're open-minded, and 46% saying they're interesting. 

Americans who have never roomed with ghosts are the most likely to judge haunted house owners, with 24% saying they are paranoid and 22% saying they have an overactive imagination. Meanwhile, just 1 in 8 Americans (13%) who have shared space with spirits describe fellow haunted homeowners that way.  

Despite some skeptical views, most Americans think haunted house owners are telling the truth. A whopping 92% of respondents think people who claim to live in a haunted house are not liars.

94% of Americans Believe Home Repairs Are Scarier Than Ghosts

Even in a house full of spirits, real-world problems are more likely to terrorize homeowners. 

Just 6% of Americans believe ghosts are the scariest aspect of homeownership. Instead, an overwhelming 94% are more afraid of home repair problems, such as:

• Mold (70%)
• Termites (65%)
• Asbestos (63%)
• Foundation issues (62%)
• A leaky roof (58%)

Many home hazards feel scarier than ghosts because they leave visible clues. But when it comes to invisible threats, ghouls are more frightening. 

Although radon and lead paint may also lurk in the walls, they don't rattle chains or meddle with the lights. These substances are objectively more harmful — causing cancer — but 57% of Americans say radon is not more concerning than a ghost, while 47% say the same about lead paint. 

Those who have lived in a haunted house are, likewise, more spooked by spirits than costly home maintenance problems.

• 59% of haunted house owners say termites are scarier than ghosts, compared to 72% of non-haunted house owners.
• 58% of haunted house owners say mold is scarier than ghosts, compared to 67% of non-haunted house owners.
• 53% of haunted house owners say asbestos is scarier than ghosts, compared to 66% of non-haunted house owners.

Close Proximity to a Nuclear Waste Facility Is Worse Than a Haunted House

Few Americans are dying to live in a haunted house, but they say there are far worse places to live. 

About half of Americans would refuse to buy a home near a nuclear waste facility (52%), a home that was a former meth lab (47%), or a home on top of a burial ground (47%). 

In comparison, only 34% say a house confirmed to be haunted is a dealbreaker, while 22% say the same about a house rumored to be haunted. 

Although a haunting turns away a significant number of buyers, if they had to choose, Americans would rather endure the supernatural than more corporeal threats. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (73%) would prefer to live in a haunted house over one with frequent break-ins.

Life with ghosts may involve more tricks than treats, but it's generally considered less troublesome than technological disruptions. Americans would rather live in a haunted house than one that has:

• No internet access (59%)
• Frequent power outages (54%)
• Bad cell phone reception (49%)

Ghosts Are Preferable to Smelly, Messy Roommates

Americans who purchase a haunted house are basically signing up for roommate drama. But when the alternative is living with another person, ghosts may actually be the better option. 

Pesky poltergeists might rattle the pipes or turn the lights on and off, but at least their mischief isn't illegal. More than half of Americans (52%) say they'd rather live with ghosts than a criminal.

They'd also prefer living with phantoms to:

• A hoarder (50%)
• Someone with bad body odor (49%)
• Someone who never picks up after themself (40%)
• A smoker (38%)
• Someone who borrows things without asking (34%)

Methodology

Clever Real Estate conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,000 U.S. adults on Aug. 14, 2025. Respondents were asked about their experiences, opinions, and beliefs regarding haunted houses in real estate.

About Real Estate Witch

You shouldn’t need a crystal ball or magical powers to understand real estate. Since 2016, Real Estate Witch has demystified real estate through in-depth guides, honest company reviews, and data-driven research. In 2020, Real Estate Witch was acquired by Clever Real Estate, a free agent-matching service that has helped consumers save more than $210 million on realtor fees. Real Estate Witch's research has been featured in CNBC, Yahoo! Finance, Chicago Tribune, Black Enterprise, and more.

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