Is a realtor legally obligated to tell you the truth if you ask them if property they show you is haunted?

Question

If the realtor knows that the property has a history of being haunted or of being suspected to be haunted, then do they have to tell if you ask?

Answer 1

Depends on where you live-but YES in some states it must be disclosed. There is a very helpful article that can be found on line called "Haunted Real Estate" by Mary Pope. To quote her article-
"In some states, you must disclose things like ghosts. (Yes, really. It’s a material fact because it influences the buyer’s desire to buy and how much to pay in those states where it is required to be disclosed. This is the case in California and Hawaii, and perhaps other states as well.) In some other states, it’s a “don’t ask, don’t tell” situation (because a material fact is viewed to be structural or physical in nature, not psychological or emotional or psychic for that matter). And in some states, it may be forbidden to volunteer the unseen (especially if it’s a matter of stigma). Most agents do not know the law on this point -– so do a little research and don’t just take someone’s word for it that you do not need to disclose this. "

Keep in mind that some ghostly occurances are linked to actual problems with the structure. A feeling of being watched, feeling sick or uneasy and jumpy is sometimes do to high EMF fields given off by poorly installed or poorly designed electric systems or exposed wires (esp in basements). Odd sounds in the walls and attic can be ghost-and it can be a sign of a rodent infestation. And a "haunted" home in some cases could affect the new buyers resale value if everyone in town thinks it is haunted and won't by it for $10. And some homes that may have been built near a cemetary or even over one may have so much stigma assocaited with them that no one will want to buy it. So despite the chuckles of some-it is a valid issue and one that is covered by law in some states.

Just some amature snooping can help ease your mind-take pictures of the property and look for orbes in the photos. You can take along a small recorder and attempt to get a voice capture, and you can always have a blessing done on the home at move in. And don't lose hope if you are the seller of a haunted home-there are lots of folks who want to buy homes that are haunted.

Answer 2

No, they do not. Realtors are only required to inform prospective buyers of acts or occurrences which have physically harmed the property. Hauntings, as such, cause no physical trauma to a building, and thusly do not need to be disclosed.

It is arguable that a haunting might be a disclosure requirement if it is well publicized and may have an effect on current and/or future values of the property in question.

Answer 3

Since not everyone believes in paranormal and supernatural events, it would be really hard to pass any kind of law like that ...

you can look up the property and town on the internet and see if there are any articles that have been published concerning the area ...

Answer 4

No
If you submit a written request, they have to tell you if anyone was murdered in the house or other crimes were commited.

Hauntings are mythical. It's like saying that have to legally tell you if fairies live in the house or werewolves.

Answer 5

No. They are also not obligated to inform you of pixies, transient vampires, curses, smurfs ,hell-mouths, enchanted objects (unless it satisfies your state's definition of a 'fixture'), trolls, gremlins ,compassionate conservatives, a feasible universal health care plan, or unicorns.

Answer 6

Boo!

Answer 7

yes, its called the Casper law of reality.