Haunted Houses Theresa Grant

Real Estate Columnist It’s one thing to settle into a new space knowing it will take some time to get used to all the little quirks and sounds that come along with every individual place. It’s quite another thing to try to get used to things that go bump in the night – every night. When it comes to haunted houses, we’ve all heard stories of strange sounds like children crying, someone calling your name, apparitions that seem to walk the hallways and so on. Some people love ghost stories and actively seek out haunted places. Some will spend big money to stay in hotel rooms that are known to be haunted, hoping to have an experience with a ghost. Others, however, are not as enthusiastic about the paranormal, especially when it comes to purchasing a home. One might think that if something horrific took place in a house that you are considering purchasing, that that fact might be disclosed to you. You would be sadly mistaken. In Ontario anyway. In Canada, the Province of Quebec is the only Province that requires the seller or the seller’s representative to disclose any paranormal activity in or on the property, or any stigma associated with the property such as a murder, suicide or major crime. The Canadian Real Estate Association deems a stigmatized property to be one with an intangible, non- physical attribute that could elicit and emotional or psychological response from a potential buyer. In Ontario it is buyer beware. That being said, The Ontario Real Estate Association does require all Registrants to operate with fairness, honesty, and integrity. This is part of the code of ethics. So, to break it down, the seller or seller’s representative do not have to disclose by law, but ethically, if they are aware they should. On the buyer’s side however, it’s a bit of a different story. If a buyer’s agent is aware of stigma associated with a property their purchaser is thinking about, they are obligated to share that with their client. Just another reason to work with an agent that knows the area you are looking to purchase in, and whom you trust completely. I myself purchased an old semi in downtown Oshawa years ago. It was over 100 years old when I purchased it and in need of real help. I moved in and got to work painting and updating it. I took great pleasure in watching the old house take on a whole new look and feel over the next couple of years. It was during a conversation that I had with my neighbour who owned the other side of the semi, that I was made aware of a horrific incident that had taken place there thirty years earlier. There had been a large and devastating fire at the house and the little boy who lived there did not survive. The family remained in the house and the back of the house was rebuilt. After several years the family moved away. Given that there is no obligation on the part of the seller to disclose stigma, it is definitely in the best interest of the potential purchaser to ask questions regarding this type of thing if it would affect your decision. Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at newspaper@ocentral.com