Have we ever sold a home we thought might be haunted? You betcha! One of our agents still talks about it with goosebumps. Every time she turned the corner near the bedrooms, she felt like something—or someone—was brushing past her. It felt like there was always a presence in the house, as if someone was there, even though it was completely vacant. 😱 Needless to say, she didn’t love being alone in that home!
But here’s the kicker: the buyers didn’t have this experience. Just a perfectly normal house. And guess what? They’re still living there today, happily and ghost-free!
Now, whether you believe in ghosts or think it’s all just Halloween fun, it raises an interesting question: Does it really matter when it comes time to sell your home?
In Maryland, real estate law says nope! 🎃👻
Sellers aren’t required to disclose if a house is haunted or if someone has died on the property. Why? Because these things aren’t considered material facts—meaning they don’t directly affect the condition or value of the home. But what exactly is a material fact?
Material Facts: The Serious Stuff 🏠🔍
A material fact is anything that could influence a buyer’s decision to purchase the home or impact the price they’d be willing to pay. Think along the lines of past fire damage, a history of flooding, or foundation problems—those are the kinds of things that could sway a deal. Ghostly presences and creepy feelings? Not so much!
Selling or Buying a Haunted House: What to Do 👀🔍
If you’re selling a home with a spooky reputation, it’s a good idea to know your audience. Some buyers might be intrigued, while others could be spooked away. If you’re on the buying side and wondering about a home’s history, don’t be shy—do some digging! A simple search can sometimes uncover a property's history.
So, would you live in a home with a haunted history, or do you prefer your spaces ghost-free? Either way, there’s a buyer for every home—haunted or not!
