READING, PA – Every house has a history, but what if the house you are trying to sell has a history that is a bit more…ghoulish than most? If you or your community believes a house is haunted, it can make selling a bit more difficult. However, there a several options for someone with a spooky property to sell. Just follow a few simple steps to get the haunted house off your hands.
The first thing you will want to establish is if you are required to inform potential buyers of their future paranormal roommates. To answer that, you will want to consult your Realtor® about your state’s disclosure laws. “Haunted houses fall into the category of stigmatized properties, remarks Erica Ramus, 2021 President-Elect of the Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS®. “Laws vary by state, so you may be required to inform buyers in writing of any possible problems.”
Even if you do not have to disclose, it is still a good idea to give your buyers a heads up. “If your house is known around the community to be haunted, the spooks will eventually let the buyer know,” said Ramus. “It can create a lot of goodwill if can tell potential buyers to expect a couple of bumps in the night.”
There is a chance that your haunted house may even be a selling point. “Strange as it may sound, there are people who would love to live in a haunted house,” said Ramus. A survey from realtor.com®, revealed that nearly 60% of respondents would consider buying a haunted house. “You can work with a Realtor® to tap into that market in your community, perhaps marketing to clubs or organizations with an interest in the supernatural.”
If you cannot find an amateur paranormal investigator to buy your house, it might be time to lower the price. That same realtor.com® survey showed that 40% of buyers would require a price reduction to choose a haunted home over a non-haunted home.
“If you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, bringing the selling price down might be your only option,” said Ramus. “If ghosts and ghouls have generated interest in your property, then a bargain price should do the trick.”
Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS®
The Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® is the voice for Real Estate in Berks County.
The Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association for licensed real estate practitioners. Membership in the organization is voluntary and consists of both residential and commercial agents and brokers as well as industry affiliates. R–BAR’s membership currently consists of approximately 950+ real estate licensees, and only REALTOR® members are authorized to use the trademark term, REALTOR®.
The Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® promotes a high standard of professionalism, advocates for private property rights, and strives to improve the quality of life in our communities.
610-375-8458 www.realestateinberks.com
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