Haunted House Hunting

In a previous post, I spoke about a ghost hunting team in Oregon that offers its services for prospective home owners. The purpose? Find if there is a ghost already living in the house that is being considered for purchase.

Llewellyn author Annie Wilder was house hunting and stumbled upon a home that spoke to her on many levels, including a ghostly one. She harbored a large suspicion that it was haunted, but it didn’t stop her from purchasing the house. Annie’s senses were correct, and she has been experiencing many strange happenings in her gorgeous home over the past 14 years, and others are eager to hear about them in many ways. She wrote about her ghostly experiences in her book, House of Spirits & Whispers. She hosts haunted tea parties and as she gives a tour to the guests, she points out areas of uniqueness (the house was split into three apartments at one time) to the home, as well as relay paranormal experiences that have happened in that room.

Purchasing a haunted home may be a bonus to some, hindrance to others. This article, which features Annie, focuses on how a haunted house can be very profitable. With the extreme popularity of ghost hunting shows, people are fascinated with ghosts and want to experience something paranormal. They seek out haunted hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, and other various venues with the hope they will encounter something ghostly.

I’ve lived in haunted homes and I thankfully never felt threatened. The ghosts were always friendly, but could be annoying at times. Especially when it would hide utensils on me. Would I purposely buy a house that was haunted? It all depends on how I “felt” when I was in the house. I have been in homes and buildings that have had a very negative presence and I know to listen to those feelings and get out as quick as I can. I definitely sensed a presence in Annie’s home, and the spirits responded by poking me a few times. It was like they were saying “Hey! We’re here!” I didn’t feel threatened, but there were a couple rooms where I felt uneasy or sick. Like someone was sad and/or annoyed. Would that stop me from buying a house? Probably not. If I felt a very heavy and evil presence? I’d be out of there as soon as my legs would carry me.

I make a lot of decisions on feeling. If it feels right, I go for it. If I knew a house was haunted but I loved it and felt it was right, I’d take it in a heartbeat. I would be aware and respectful of the spirits, but I definitely would let them know when they were crossing a line with me! I also have burned sage to clear away negative energies when I feel that all is not well in the home.

Would you seek out a haunted home when house hunting, and would you not buy a home if you knew it was haunted?