How to Avoid Buying a Haunted House
Are you worried about buying real estate that might be haunted?
If so, Mark Weisleder, a Toronto real estate lawyer, offers advice on how to avoid buying 'haunted' real estate in an article entitled "If You Bought a House that's Haunted… What Can You Do?" in The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch dated July 2, 2013.
If you're concerned about these types of issues, Mark Weisleder suggests that the best way to protect yourself is to put your concerns in writing before you sign the real estate deal.
It is recommended that the agreement should insert a clause that says "The seller warrants to the buyer that to the best of their knowledge, this property has not been stigmatized by any of the following acts or occurences: (then insert murder, suicide, natural death, haunted house, house of prostitution) that the buyer considers traumatic or horrific."
With this clause, the seller "will have to tell the truth about the property, regardless what they may believe."
Also, it is recommended that the buyer talk to the property's neighbours. They may know about the house's history.
To learn more about a house's history, the guide Research Advice on Researching your House in Toronto: Getting Started and Using Heritage Organizations may be helpful.
Regarding research on known haunted houses and places, the following titles at the Toronto Public Library are recommended:
 |
 |
 |
| Haunted Toronto | Big Book of Canadian Hauntings | Haunted Ontario |
For more titles, search the Toronto Public Library catalogue with the recommended subjects:
- Haunted houses
- Haunted places
Comments