Would You Take a Ghostly Deal? Haunted Houses Tempt Buyers With Big Discounts

Picture this: It’s Halloween season, you’re house hunting, and you stumble across a charming old home with a history—and possibly a haunting. Would you walk away? Or would you jump at the chance, especially if it came with a lower price?

According to a 2024 survey, 54% of Americans who’ve never lived in a haunted house say they’d still consider buying one, while 46% say absolutely not—no matter the deal. But when discounts enter the picture, the opinions start to shift in favor of the supernatural.

A YouGov study found that around 70% of potential homebuyers would accept a haunted house if it came with a big discount. That number climbs even higher—to 82%—when the home is listed below market value.

In today’s hot housing market, especially heading into 2025, the idea of sharing space with a ghost might seem like a small price to pay for a rare bargain.

The Allure of the Paranormal (and the Price Cut)

Believe it or not, some buyers are actively drawn to haunted homes. A recent Zillow analysis found that 29% of buyers are actually attracted to a home with a ghostly reputation. Maybe it’s the history, maybe the thrill, or maybe just the aesthetics of older homes with stories to tell.

But the flip side is also strong: 33% of buyers say they would never consider buying a haunted home, no matter the price.

In real estate terms, these homes are often labeled stigmatized properties—meaning they’re tied to a notorious or disturbing past, such as a murder, suicide, or alleged haunting. While not physically flawed, these homes can carry a psychological burden for potential buyers.

Stigmatized properties often stay on the market longer, attract fewer offers, and may require significant price cuts to sell. One Hollywood actress, for instance, purchased a beautiful home where a famous murder took place. Though she lived there peacefully for 16 years, she had to sell it well below the asking price due to the home’s dark backstory.

Haunted Homes as an Affordable Option?

In a time when many first-time buyers are struggling to break into the market, a haunted house could offer a path to homeownership—if they’re brave enough.

Buyers looking to stretch their budget or land a home in a tight market may find that a spooky reputation brings real value. After all, if no one else wants to make an offer, there’s less competition and room to negotiate.

Still, some questions remain—namely, how many haunted homes are out there? No one tracks that data officially, and most sellers aren’t legally required to disclose paranormal activity. State laws vary, but in many areas, sellers only need to report what they know—and sometimes not even that.

That means you might buy a haunted home without even knowing it.

Would You Live With a Ghost?

If a home had the charm, the space, the right neighborhood—and a few reports of things that go bump in the night—would you still move in?

For many Americans, the answer depends on the discount. However, for others, the risk of sharing space with an unseen roommate is simply too great.

So this Halloween, if you come across a home with an eerie past, think carefully:
Would you make an offer?
Would you ask for a bigger discount?
Or would you turn and run?

One thing is certain—haunted or not, a deal is a deal… if you dare.