You don’t need flickering lights or a haunted history to give buyers the creeps. Sometimes it’s the cat litter smell, the cluttered countertops, or the door that mysteriously won’t open.
According to a new Real Estate Witch survey, more than half of Americans (52%) say they’d buy a haunted house if the price was right. But in reality, it’s not ghosts that scare people off; it’s the things sellers forget to fix, clean or disclose.
Here are the top red flags that send buyers running during showings, along with strategies to keep them interested.
1. The Smell of Something Sinister
Nothing kills a showing faster than a funky smell. Pet odors, cigarette smoke, mildew, or even an overly potent plug-in can turn curiosity into disgust within seconds.
In the report, 94% of Americans said they’re more afraid of home repair issues than ghosts, including mold (70%) and asbestos (63%).
If buyers can smell those problems, they’re imagining expensive surprises behind every wall.
What to do: Deep-clean carpets, replace air filters, and remove sources of odor instead of covering them up.
A fresh, neutral scent feels more like “move-in ready” than “what died in here.”
2. Cluttered Chaos
Too much “personality” makes it hard for buyers to picture their own life in the home.
Even if the decor isn’t spooky, piles of clothes, messy countertops, or overstuffed closets can make people uneasy. And 53% of Americans say unexpected costs are the scariest part of homeownership, so clutter can make a home feel like it’s hiding something.
What to do: Pre-pack and store extra items. Clean, organized spaces help buyers focus on the home, not the stuff.
If you’re selling, think “model home,” not “mystery mansion.”
3. Dim and Dreary Lighting
Dark rooms and drawn curtains can make a home feel smaller and older than it is.
Fifty-seven percent of Americans say they’d feel uncomfortable in a haunted house, but many feel the same way in one that’s simply too dim. If a buyer walks in and asks you to turn on the light, and it’s already on, things can go downhill quickly from there.
What to do: Open the blinds, switch to bright white bulbs (or add more lamps for ambient lighting), and turn on every light before buyers start walking in.
Bright, inviting spaces feel bigger and safer. And potential buyers want to see your home at its best. For many, dim lighting has the same psychological effect as clutter.
4. Creepy-Crawly Corners
Cobwebs, bugs, and layers of dust instantly tell buyers a home hasn’t been well-maintained.
Even one spider web can raise questions about what else might be hiding (and how big it might be). And since 65% of Americans say termites are scarier than ghosts, pest control is a must.
What to do: Schedule a deep clean and pest treatment before listing. A tidy home says “well cared for,” not “abandoned house on Halloween night.”
5. Unfinished Business
Half-done renovation projects, chipped paint, and broken fixtures can be red flags for buyers.
Sixty-three percent of homeowners who said their house was haunted also said it was harder to sell because buyers assumed something was “off.”
Even without ghosts, though, visible neglect can haunt a sale. Unfinished business has a vibe all its own. And unless your buyer is looking for a project, it’s got “extra cost” written all over it.
What to do: Finish small projects before listing. Fix loose cabinet doors, replace broken light fixtures, and patch up paint. Small upgrades go a long way toward calming buyers’ fears.
6. Weird Layouts or Locked Doors
Mystery rooms and locked doors make buyers uneasy. In the same survey, 37% of haunted homeowners said they’d seen strange shadows. And 45% said certain rooms had an eerie feeling.
If buyers can’t access a space, their imagination fills in the blanks. Mystery is not a silver lining, here.
What to do: Make sure every room is open and easy to navigate. Even awkward spaces can feel inviting when they’re clean, staged, and well-lit.
7. Overzealous Decor
Halloween decorations are fun when they’re intentional. But too much personal or themed decor can distract buyers from the home itself.
In the haunted house report, 36% of Americans said haunted homeowners are open-minded, and 33% called them interesting. But buyers don’t want to wonder whether you talk to ghosts.
What to do: Keep decor simple and neutral. Store collections, tone down strong paint colors, and stick with a few seasonal touches that make the home feel warm, not weird.
When “Haunted” Isn’t the Problem
Here’s the twist: more than half of Americans (52%) say they’d live in a haunted house if the price was right.
But they won’t live in one that smells like mildew, feels dark and cluttered, or has mystery maintenance issues. Before you worry about ghosts, focus on the basics. Small improvements can make your home feel welcoming to real, living buyers.
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