Would you live in a haunted house? Our survey uncovers what truly frightens homeowners
Do you think your house might be haunted? You're not alone. We surveyed 1,000 homeowners to find out what has them spooked about homeownership. According to Angi’s latest survey results, 60% of homeowners suspect their home might have a few unwanted visitors causing mischief. As Halloween approaches, Angi dives into the eerie habits of homeowners across the U.S., from unusual sounds and flickering lights to spine-chilling home repairs.
While some homebuyers are willing to put up with an outdated bathroom or creaking floors to save on the cost of a house, would you live in a haunted one? You may be surprised to learn that 58% of homeowners say they would consider it. So, don’t expect a haunted home to get you a good deal on a house!
Over 65% of respondents have experienced unexplained phenomena in their homes. From objects moving on their own to strange noises and creaking floorboards, these events are keeping people up at night. In fact, 77% of respondents reported hearing spooky sounds at home, such as unsettling noises in the walls (31%), creaky floors (30%), and flickering lights (26%).
What’s even creepier? Over half of homeowners think unexplained footsteps are the spookiest sounds you can hear at home, followed by 37% who would feel unsettled to hear a toilet flush when no one was around—and 13% have! But don’t get too scared of that last one. “Ghost flushing” is a real occurrence; however, the reason behind it isn’t quite as frightening as it sounds.
It isn’t just ghosts and unexplained events scaring homeowners. Nearly 20% are afraid of certain areas in their homes, like basements and attics. (A finished basement or attic would probably make the space a little less welcoming to ghosts and a little more human friendly.) Additionally, nearly 60% of homeowners would prefer not to be home alone.
Even if your house isn’t haunted by ghosts, it might be haunted by problems. About 64% of homeowners believe home repairs often spiral into nightmare scenarios, with many sharing their home repair horror stories. From scary mold to leaky pipes and electrical issues, you never know what’s lurking behind your walls, which is why it’s best to follow a maintenance schedule.
Most homeowners have had some scary discoveries, including water damage in their ceilings (25%), hidden mold or mildew (24%), and bug infestations (23%). The scariest discoveries? Gas leaks (40%) and electrical issues, like sparking wires (38%), top the list of homeowner fears. And it’s not hard to understand why—these are two issues homeowners should never ignore.
Whether you’re dealing with spooky sounds or trying to avoid a home repair nightmare, Angi’s got your back. With trusted pros ready to tackle any project, you can leave both the ghost-busting and repair nightmares to the experts.
Angi conducted this survey through Pollfish. On September 9, 2024, we surveyed 1,000 homeowners across the U.S., ages 18 and up.
