It’s October—the season of skeletons, spider webs and ghost stories. But here’s the truth: not all stigmatized homes are haunted houses. Sometimes a property gets an unwanted reputation that has nothing to do with ghosts—and everything to do with perception.

A “stigmatized” property, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is one that carries a psychological or emotional stigma—think a home where a crime occurred, a previous owner passed away, or even one rumored to have paranormal activity.

These situations can make potential buyers uneasy, even when there’s nothing structurally wrong. But in Ohio, sellers aren’t legally required to disclose those details unless they impact the physical condition of the home. Still, that doesn’t mean buyers won’t whisper about it at open houses.

The question I hear most often is whether sellers have to disclose a death on the property…and the answer is no. In Ohio, whether it’s natural, accidental or even death by suicide, the Ohio Revised Code only mandates disclosure of material defects that affect the physical condition or value of the home. In other words, the leaky roof and cracked foundation must be disclosed, but not Grandma’s peaceful passing in the guest room.

Disclose Anyway

because it’s not required to be disclosed doesn’t mean that it’s not a good idea to share that information. Sometimes the rumors about a house can be worse than the actual truth. It’s smart to confide in your Realtor when listing and see what he or she recommends. They can find a way to handle it with clarity and professionalism.

But it is October, so of course we have to talk about haunted houses! In my 16 years practicing real estate here, I’ve yet to come across one of those in the Chagrin Valley area. Cleveland’s Franklin Castle in Ohio City is known as “Cleveland’s most haunted house” but luckily it hasn’t hit the market during my tenure.

According to Zillow and Homes.com, homes with a “dark past” can sell for up to 15–20% less and of course take longer to move off the market. But as any savvy Realtor will tell you—perception can be shifted. With the right marketing, solid staging, and a little curb appeal magic, a stigmatized home can become a steal for a smart buyer.

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This article was previously published in the October 2025 issue of the Spirit of Bainbridge.