Bat, Cat or Ghost in the Attic? 86% of Americans Believe "Haunted" Houses Are Possible: Realtor.com® Survey

Rhea-AI Summary

Realtor.com (NWS) survey released Oct 28, 2025 finds 86% of Americans think houses can be haunted and 12% say they have lived in a haunted home.

Common reported experiences include 67% hearing footsteps/noises, 61% seeing shadowy figures, 58% objects moving, and 51% disembodied voices or touch/pressure. Regarding purchase intent, 33% would buy a rumored haunted house if the price is right and 44% would consider buying a home where someone died of natural causes if the deal was good. Conversely, 79% would probably not buy a house famous for a violent crime.

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If The Price Is Right, One Third of Americans Would Buy a House That Is Rumored To Be Haunted

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For many Americans, the creaks and whispers in the night might not just be old plumbing or a mischievous pet. According to a new survey from Realtor.com^®, a combined 86% of Americans believe it's possible that houses can be haunted. In fact, 12% say they've lived in a haunted home themselves, and another 7% know someone who has. Only 14% of respondents say they don't believe in hauntings at all—proof that the supernatural still has a strong hold on the nation's imagination.

Among those who've lived in a home they considered haunted, strange sounds top the list of spooky encounters. Sixty-seven percent reported hearing footsteps, music, or banging noises, while 61% said they've seen shadowy figures or apparitions. Other eerie experiences include objects moving on their own (58%), feelings of touch or pressure (51%), disembodied voices (51%), and flickering lights or appliances turning on and off (48%).

Do "Haunted" Houses Scare Off Buyers?

When it comes to real estate, a ghostly reputation might not be a deal-breaker—especially for bargain hunters. One in three Americans (33%) would buy a home rumored to be haunted if the price was right, and another 14% say it wouldn't impact their decision at all. Only 15% say they'd never move into a home with a haunted history.

Even homes where someone has died of natural causes don't necessarily send buyers running. Forty-four percent say they'd make an offer if the deal was good, while just 9% would flat-out refuse.

Fame, however, is less frightening. Nearly half of respondents (48%) would buy a famous home—whether known for its architecture or former residents—if the price was appealing. But violent pasts are where most buyers draw the line. Seventy-nine percent say they would never or probably never buy a house famous for a violent crime or murder, and 70% would avoid buying a home in which such a crime occurred.

For More Spooky Stories from Realtor.com^®

For those who prefer their real estate with a side of goosebumps, Realtor.com^® has you covered. Check out recent stories on some of America's most infamous addresses, including the haunted "Conjuring" house, eerie "murder houses" that test buyers' bravery, and more ghostly listings just in time for Halloween at Realtor.com/news.

Methodology

A sample of 1,000 American adults (age 18 to 65) was surveyed October 17-19, 2025.  No post-­‐stratification has been applied to the results.

About Realtor.com^®

Realtor.com^® pioneered online real estate and has been at the forefront for over 25 years, connecting buyers, sellers, and renters with trusted insights, professional guidance and powerful tools to help them find their perfect home. Recognized as the No. 1 site trusted by real estate professionals, Realtor.com^® is a valued partner, delivering consumer connections and a robust suite of marketing tools to support business growth. Realtor.com^® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc.

Media contact: Mallory Micetich, press@realtor.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bat-cat-or-ghost-in-the-attic-86-of-americans-believe-haunted-houses-are-possible-realtorcom-survey-302595899.html

SOURCE Realtor.com

FAQ

What did the Realtor.com Oct 28, 2025 survey find about belief in haunted houses (NWS)?

The survey found 86% of Americans believe houses can be haunted and 12% have lived in one.

How common are reported paranormal experiences in the Realtor.com survey (NWS)?

Respondents reported 67% hearing strange noises, 61% seeing shadowy figures, and 58% objects moving.

Would buyers avoid haunted houses according to the Realtor.com survey (NWS)?

33% would buy a rumored haunted house if the price is right, 14% said it wouldn’t affect them, and 15% would never buy one.

How do death circumstances affect buyer interest in homes in the Realtor.com survey (NWS)?

44% would consider a home where someone died of natural causes if the deal was good, while 9% would refuse.

What percentage would avoid homes famous for violent crimes in the Realtor.com survey (NWS)?

79% said they would never or probably never buy a house famous for a violent crime.