We’ve all been there, whether it’s strange footsteps echoing in the hallway or an eerie presence when you’re alone… these spine-tingling encounters aren’t easy to forget, and if you’ve ever experienced this, you’re not alone. A new nationwide survey from All-Star Home asked Americans about the spooky secrets they’re keeping when it comes to their home – and it turns out one in six Americans actually believes their house is haunted! The survey of more than 1,000 Americans shines a light on the types of creepy encounters that are most common, how Americans deal with them, and the U.S. cities most likely to have haunted houses (and we’re not just talking about seasonal ones for Halloween).
The Haunting Statistics
So what exactly is it that Americans say makes their house feel “haunted?” And what types of strange things are happening behind closed doors? The most common is an “unexplained presence” of something or someone they couldn’t see. In fact, 42% of Americans say they’ve experienced this at some point in their home!
A 65-year-old man who asked not to be identified shared one example of what this could look like. He said something appeared to push his mother while they were standing in the living room of her home, and just a few seconds later, the ceiling fixture fell down… right where his mom had been standing.
Other common paranormal experiences are strange sounds (37% of homeowners have experienced this), pets acting strange, seeing ghosts or strange shadows, lights turning on and off by themselves, hearing strange voices, and unusual smells. These types of experiences can be extra upsetting for the growing number of homeowners who live alone.
Haunted Hotspots in the Home
Unexplained or paranormal encounters can happen anywhere, but certain rooms are more prone to strange activity. Surprisingly – it’s not a dark basement or dusty attic that Americans say is the most haunted… it’s the bedroom. Nearly half who reported strange occurrences in their home said it happened where they sleep. Roughly a quarter said the living room or kitchen was the creepiest spot, while just 12% said the basement. Turns out – it doesn’t matter how small your living space is or how safe you keep your home, haunted encounters happen everywhere.
A house’s age may have something to do with the likeliness it’s haunted as well. The average age of houses where Americans reported strange encounters was 88, and 30% say they’re freaked out by old homes and neighborhoods with a high percentage of aging homes.
There may be something alluring about the unknown of a “haunted house,” though as 25% say they’d be willing to buy a house that the former homeowner said was “haunted,” and they’d be willing to spend an average of $250,000 on it!
Coping with Creepy Experiences
While intriguing, there’s no doubt these spooky and unexplained situations can cause stress among homeowners. The survey found Americans are turning to several outlets to cope.
Nearly one in five (19%) said they prayed immediately after their paranormal experience. Others, playing detective, delved into their home’s history or performed cleansing rituals to banish the supernatural.
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As we approach Halloween, America’s fascination with the supernatural and belief in haunted homes continues to be a hot topic. So, whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these findings provide plenty of food for thought during the spooky season.
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