About this time of year goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are all the rage, but what if you’re experiencing some seriously scary stuff in the months outside of October? We’ve all had it happen. The chill that runs down your spine, the light flickering in the hallway. Some can simply shrug off that eerie feeling, but when these spooky occurrences continue to arise, you may come to some haunting conclusions. The good news is, if you think your house is haunted, you’re not alone. In a 2014 survey by the National Association of REALTORS, 28% of REALTOR responders have had to sell a house or find a new home for someone who believed their current place of residence was haunted. And while living in a haunted house doesn’t mean you have to immediately pack your bags, if you’re ready to put a for sale sign in the yard, there are some things you should know first.   Determine if your house is really haunted This is the only paragraph where we will reason with any skeptics or cynics, but the truth is that a potential maintenance issue with a home is probably more likely than a haunting. However, both can be equally scary. Sometimes homes make noise, especially when they are older, and there are a number of chilling stories that could probably be solved with a repairman instead of a ghostbuster. Flickering lights? Maybe call an electrician. Windows slamming shut when no one else is home? It might be time to replace them. See a stranger walking down the hallway and then suddenly disappear into thin air? Okay, sell the home! Don’t be spooked by disclosures – work with an agentIn the state of Ohio, REALTORS are not required to disclose if a murder or suicide happened at the property for sale or if the home is believed to be haunted, however, many agents may encourage transparency to protect their sellers from potential legal issues. When it comes to understanding how much you should tell potential buyers about your home’s frightening history, always trust the advice of your real estate professional.Kill any eerie rumors and stigmaAnother area where picking the right agent is crucial. Whether you’re selling a haunted home or just a home that buyers may THINK is haunted, property marketing is important and so is working with an agent who will treat your listing with professionalism and expertise, which includes combating any stigma. Your agent may even suggest making some improvements to the house to give it a fresh (non-haunted) new look.Be prepared to lower the price If all else fails, lower the price. This can be said whether your home is haunted by vengeful spirits or bad wallpaper. If your home in any way poses a challenge to sell, it’s best to prepare yourself that lowering the price may be the only option to get buyers through the door. We hope you never need the tips above, but if you are planning to sell your home, for ANY reason, call a Coldwell Banker Heritage agent today!  

Halloween is just a few days away, and beyond the frightening ghouls and goblins is something truly to be feared – vandalism. As the 2015 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found vandalism peaks on Halloween with vehicles being 2X more likely to be vandalized. Additionally, insurance claims were 9% higher than the average claim. So how can you enjoy treats while avoiding tricks? Number of Insurance Claims by Holiday (2015)Source: Scary Statistic: Vehicle Vandalism Peaks on Halloween, CarscoopsSecureOne of the easiest things you can do is check to make sure your valuables are secure. This means locking your doors and windows for both your vehicle and home. You should also remove or hide any valuables in your vehicle, and park in a garage if possible. It’s also a good idea to install/activate a security and/or ask your neighborhood watch to patrol the area during beggar’s night hours.VisibleAnother key area to reduce your chance of becoming victim to vandalism, is increasing visibility. You can increase visibility by installing/turning on exterior lights around your home. Additionally, if do not own a garage, park your car in a well-lit area. Besides adding more lighting, trimming bushes and shrubs can make it more difficult for someone to hide. While we cannot prevent all tricks this Halloween – we do hope these tips will help to reduce the likelihood of vandalism!SourcesScary Statistic: Vehicle Vandalism Peaks on Halloween, CarscoopsHalloween Sparks Most Vandalism Claims of the Year, APCITrick or Treat, Deter and prevent halloween vandalismHalloween Safety Tips, National Neighborhood Watch