Here’s How Much Money It Would Take for People to Sleep in a Haunted House
Sure, haunted houses are scary, but people are prepared to get tricked for a price.
In a recent report by California Contractor Bonds, a survey of more than 1,000 Americans has found that people are actually okay with sleeping in haunted locations, as long as they’re compensated for it.
To be specific, about half of the participants said that they would spend a night in a haunted house accompanied by friends for $10,000, and would do the same task alone for $1,000,000. Out of all the age groups, millennials were found to be the most thrill-seeking, with 11 percent agreeing to do the dare for free (it’s no wonder why our generation is so broke).
As far as locations go, isolated places — like a cabin in the woods — understandably were avoided, with 25 percent of respondents refusing to stay there no matter how big the reward. A haunted hotel, meanwhile, was more favored than a haunted house — probably because you have neighbors in the next room, and help from the front desk staff just a phone call away.
The report also found some interesting real estate trends, especially if you’re selling or buying a cursed property. 70 percent said they wouldn’t mind living in a house where someone had died in if the price was right. However, the more sinister the backstory, the more cautious buyers became, with the percentage dropping to 38 percent if the death involved murder.
Perhaps before buying an old house, you might want to check with the neighbors about its reputation. If the local community is spooked by the listing, then consider it a red flag. In the survey, only 28 percent of participants said they would purchase a home the neighbors are afraid of.
And basements? They’re a horror movie staple, which is why 65 percent of respondents are afraid of going down into a dark, eerie cellar. If you’re moving houses, it might be best to avoid properties with this feature.
Of course, ghosts and possessed children aren’t the only things that make dwellings terrifying. You’ve got leaky pipes, soaring insurance costs, cranky landlords, and messy roommates. It would be great if you could get paid to deal with these spooks, too.
How much would it take for you to sleep in a haunted house?