"You visit an open house for a stately old Victorian on a quiet street. It has a wraparound front porch and all kinds of vintage charm ... but you can't help but wonder if that sudden cold draft is the result of poor insulation, or a past occupant dropping by. And the lights on that stunning chandelier are flickering in a way that might foretell an expensive visit from an electrician - or an exorcist."
"That depends on where you're house hunting. In most states, the seller doesn't have to disclose anything. For example, according to Massachusetts state law, whether the home "has been the site of an alleged parapsychological or supernatural phenomenon" is not a material fact that has to be mentioned in a real estate transaction. However, the seller or agent are also not allowed to lie about it."
"One such incident led to the 1983 court case Reed v. King. Dorris Reed purchased her California house from Robert King, who did not disclose that a woman and her four children were murdered in the home ten years prior. King had even requested that a neighbor not tell Reed about the killings. Reed's attorneys claimed that while she had paid $76,000 for the home, it was really worth $65,000 because its history seriously damaged its value and desir"
A prospective buyer may notice unexplained cold drafts or flickering lights and wonder about paranormal activity on a property. Seller disclosure requirements differ by state; many states do not obligate sellers to disclose alleged paranormal phenomena. Massachusetts law states whether a home "has been the site of an alleged parapsychological or supernatural phenomenon" is not a material fact that must be mentioned. Minnesota similarly says sellers have no duty to disclose suicide, accidental death, natural death, or perceived paranormal activity. Sellers and agents are prohibited from making false statements. Search services and court cases illustrate nondisclosure can affect perceived value.
Read at SFGATE
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