One in five Americans believe they’ve lived in a haunted house

Buying a home in 2025 can feel like stepping into “The Amityville Horror” — a dream house that turns into a nightmare once you see the fine print.

For many Americans, that fear isn’t just cinematic. Between high prices, surprise repairs and a few possible ghosts, homeownership is giving people the chills.

A recent survey from Clever Real Estate subsidiary Real Estate Witch found that nearly one in five Americans believe they’ve lived in a haunted house, while another 22% worry they’ll one day discover their home is bewitched.

But for most, the real horror isn’t ghosts — it’s the cost of homeownership.

The survey shows that 94% of Americans find home repair problems more terrifying than the supernatural.

Mold (70%), termites (65%) and asbestos (63%) top the list of anxieties — easily outpacing fears of perceived ghosts or hauntings.

Only 6% of respondents said ghosts are the scariest part of owning a home. Instead, 53% cited unexpected expenses, 52% pointed to bad neighbors, and 47% feared high mortgage rates.

Living with spirits — or just drafts

While a majority of Americans (57%) say they’d feel uneasy living in a haunted house, three-quarters (74%) wouldn’t immediately move out if they discovered one.

Many said they would try to cleanse the space or simply coexist with their spectral roommates.

Some homeowners insist hauntings are real.

Among those who’ve lived in a supposedly haunted house, nearly half (49%) said there’s no logical explanation for what they experienced.

Still, many “hauntings” coincide with ordinary home issues such as creaky floorboards, rattling pipes or poor insulation.

Discount for the undead

High prices are driving many to consider homes that come with more than a few ghost stories.

More than half of Americans (52%) said they’d buy a haunted house, although most say they would only do so at a discount. About two-thirds said they’d offer below asking price on a haunted property.

Ironically, many haunted homeowners expect to sell above market value. Forty-one percent believe their home is worth more than comparable properties, despite only 16% of buyers agreeing.

If they ever sell, most haunted homeowners plan to stay quiet about it. About 68% of Americans say they wouldn’t voluntarily disclose a haunting to potential buyers, while 6% said they’d keep it secret even if disclosure were required by law.

Four states — New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota — have specific laws about revealing a home’s haunted history, Clever reported. Still, two-thirds of Americans support requirements for sellers to disclose paranormal reputations.

Gen Z and millennial respondents were far more likely to believe in haunted houses than older generations. Thirty percent of Gen Z say they’ve lived in one, compared to just 10% of baby boomers.

But the younger crowd isn’t spooked by the supernatural. In a market where affordability remains elusive, many say they’d welcome a ghost — especially if it lowers the price.