What Has Americans Spooked About Homeownership
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, Guest Contributor
What’s scarier than buying a “haunted” house? Mold, foundation issues and termites, finds a new survey of about 1,000 Americans conducted by Clever Real Estate.
That’s not all. Given an election year, many Americans also said living in a haunted house seems more appealing to them than living next door to outspoken Republicans or outspoken Democrats. Several financial aspects of homeownership are also spooking Americans, like unexpected housing costs, high interest rates, bad neighbors or the inability to pay amortgage, the survey finds.
“With homeowners spending about $18,000 a year on home expenses on top of their mortgage and interest payments, it’s no surprise hidden costs are the most common fear,” researchers note in the study. “Rising prices has only added to the anxiety, with homeowners 12% more likely to be worried about surprise expenses in 2024 than they were in 2023.”
Home Repairs That Give Homeowners the Chills
The home repair problems that Americans report fearing the most:
- Mold: 80%
- Foundation issues: 74%
- Termites: 73%
- Asbestos: 73%
- Water damage: 67%
- Leaky roof: 67%
“These damages are particularly sinister because they can compromise a home’s safety and be quite costly to fix,” researchers note. “Even worse, they leave few visible clues to alert home buyers of their presence.”
Horrifying Design
A home’s design also may spook potential home buyers or visitors, the survey finds. About one in eight Americans say a home with a lot of wallpaper is frightening; one in 10 say homes with a lot of carpet also can be terrifying.
A home’s decor may even give off some “haunted” vibes. Survey respondents said the following items spotted in a home for-sale would spook them:
- A large number of dolls
- Gothic furnishings
- Dim lighting
- Taxidermy/animal heads
- Old paintings/portraits
- Victorian-era furnishings
- Black curtains
- Dark paint
- Peeling wallpaper
- Unfinished basements
The home’s location also may be spooky—and even a deal-breaker.
But, I’m Not Afraid of Any Ghosts …
All that considered, living in a “haunted” house doesn’t seem unappealing to many Americans—especially if it comes at a lower price. Signs of a possible Beetlejuice-infested house, they say, include: Strange noises, feelings of being touched or watched, strange shadows around the home, eerie or haunted feelings in certain rooms, and actual ghost sightings.
But more than half of Americans—54%—say they’d still consider buying a haunted house, especially if they could purchase the home at least $50,000 below market value, the Clever Real Estate survey found. More than one-third of Americans also said they’d be willing to overlook any paranormal activity as long as the “haunted” house has modern renovations and appliances.
