🤔 Today's Trivia Question:

Which Two US States Allow Sellers to Omit Disclosure of Paranormal Activity to Buyers?

Correct Answer: C) Massachusetts & Minnesota

👻 Haunted House? Most States Don't Require Sellers to Disclose Ghostly Past

As Halloween approaches, a chilling reality for home buyers emerges: your dream home might come with an unexpected, otherworldly guest, and in most states, sellers aren't obligated to mention it. According to Zillow, only four states – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota – have specific real estate laws addressing paranormal activity.

In New York, a sale can be nullified if a seller knowingly promotes a home’s haunted reputation and doesn't inform the buyer. For instance, if a seller calls in ghost hunters for a televised investigation and later sells the house without disclosing its eerie history, a court might cancel the sale. In contrast, New Jersey requires sellers to disclose paranormal activity only if asked by the buyer.

Many states have regulations regarding property issues that could cause “stigma” or “psychological impact,” yet do not require disclosure of supernatural happenings. Massachusetts and Minnesota explicitly exempt paranormal events as factors that must be revealed during a sale.

For real estate agents, haunted properties pose unique challenges. Jennifer Stauter Kornstedt, a Zillow Premier Agent in Wisconsin, recalls dealing with a homeowner who claimed their house was haunted. During an open house, unexplained noises from the basement and eerie phone calls unnerved her, prompting a decision to disclose the alleged haunting to potential buyers, despite Wisconsin not mandating such disclosures. Ultimately, the sellers opted not to move, but the unsettling experience lingered with the agent.

Beyond ghostly encounters, nine states have specific laws around disclosing deaths on a property. For instance, California requires sellers to inform buyers of any deaths occurring within the last three years, while in Alaska, the disclosure window is one year. Some states, like South Dakota, only require sellers to reveal homicides. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and South Carolina, sellers are only required to disclose deaths on the property if directly asked.

Curious if your potential home comes with a paranormal past? Be sure to check your state’s disclosure requirements before buying – or else you might end up with more than just four walls.

Source: Zillowgroup.com