The Creepiest Experiences in Real Estate
The Creepies Experience…..
Working in real estate isn’t always just open houses, fresh paint, and happy closings. Sometimes, homes have stories of their own—and not all of them are pleasant. Over the years, I’ve encountered a few that still give me chills.
One December, I arrived at a vacant Santa Cruz home to find strange blue lights glowing inside, the yard rearranged, and the windows completely covered. Someone had broken in, decorated with a Christmas tree, and even removed my “For Sale” sign.
After the police helped secure the home, I returned the next day to find a handwritten letter taped to the door—from the intruder—threatening to sue me for “illegally locking them out.” A quick background check revealed a long criminal history.
Let’s just say… that house had more tricks than treats.
When Energy Lingers…..
Some probate properties carry an energy that’s hard to explain. I once handled a case where a man had been deceased for months before being discovered. By the time I arrived, biohazard crews were required.
Sorting through the belongings of someone who lived and died alone was heartbreaking—and unforgettable. The air in that home felt heavy, as if the walls themselves remembered what had happened there.
The Strangest Story…..
Perhaps the eeriest case I’ve encountered involved a woman who drowned in her bathtub. Her ex-husband, never charged, would mutter unsettling things like, “Certain family members should also be dead.”
Each visit to that home sent chills down my spine. The atmosphere felt thick with emotion, and I could never shake the feeling that something unresolved lingered there.
How These Experiences Changed me….
Every “haunted” house I’ve worked with has taught me something valuable.
Personally: Life is fragile. Cherish your loved ones and check in on people often, you never know what’s happening behind closed doors.
Professionally: Safety first, always. I now walk the perimeter before entering, double-check locks, document everything unusual, and trust my instincts. If something feels off, I never enter alone.
Real estate can be full of beauty, history, and opportunity—but sometimes, it also reminds us that every home holds a story. Some are warm and welcoming. Others… not so much.