The haunted home buyers market

The dark night of Halloween is getting closer, the homes twinkle in candle lights, showing off silly pumpkin faces, black cats and witches, while bats hang from the ceiling and mice hide behind curtains and doors. You’d think you have it all prepared for the spooky night, but what about some real restless spirits?

A recent survey performed with over 1,900 respondents reveals interesting facts about home buyers and already “inhabited” properties. Turns out that not many strange happenings have what it takes to scare people away. According to the results:

• Subjects residing in the Midwestern region of the US are the most attracted to paranormal activity, 26 percent to be precise. The other regions of the country added another 6% to those curious to live under the same roof with a spirit.
• In case you’re wondering how much they are willing to pay for spooked homes, you might be surprised. 19 percent of them would make the purchase only with a 31-50 percent discount, 15 percent would pay the full market value, and 2 percent would actually pay more than the market value for such a privilege.
• Warm and cold spots around the house are not a problem for 62% of the respondents.
• 48% don’t think that footstep, doors slamming, and other noises are a good enough reason to not make such a purchase.
• Lights and appliances flickering aren’t enough to restrain from buying the property for 45 percent of the survey participants.
• 44 percent wouldn’t mind to find their belongings moved from where they were placed (WHAAAAA???!!!)
• Only 11 percent answered that they would seek professional help to get rid of the spooky happenings of the house.

But what about rentals? What would you do if after you’ve signed the lease you discover that you’re sharing your apartment with an unseen roommate? Would you try to cope with the entity, call the “Ghostbusters” or simply break the lease and move out?