6.66 Ways to Avoid Moving Into a Haunted House (according to the movies)

1. Avoid the quick sell. Be very wary if the estate agent asks for far less than you thought the house was worth. Chances are, the house rests on an ancient burial ground and they want to sell it quick. If they do demand for the asking price, still don’t let them close the deal before researching the property thoroughly – you may discover the last family to live there were murdered in a horrific tragedy… See The Others.

2. Don’t get a big house if your family is small. The number of bedrooms should correspond to the number of inhabitants. If not, things will rattle and doors will slam and you wont know why. Also, avoid taking a baby into a new house – their random crying just adds to the overall jumpiness. See Paranormal Activity 2.

3. If the house is remote, it’s remote for a reason. The neighbours moved away because they were so scared of it. Living in the sticks will just fuel your fear that your only company is a malicious supernatural being. See Cabin in the Woods.

4. Swerve old houses. If it’s Pre-Victorian simply steer clear. See The Woman in Black.

5. Watch out for bad furnishings. Even if the house isn’t haunted, the following things will make you think they are: creaky floorboard, holes with draughts, shaky banisters. Try to find a house with self locking doors too. Ghosts seem to be able to pick locks, but I’ve never heard of them conquering a self-locking door. See The Conjuring

6. Beware of unreliable utility companies. The heating goes off, water goes cold, light bulbs go pop – all things to convince you there is a ghost in your house. Go with a provider you trust and if things do start going bump in the night, don’t tell the utility company you think there’s a demon in the airing cupboard. Just say you have a bad boiler. Before they send in a plumber though, ask the telephone operator if they know any good exorcists. See The Grudge

6. 66. Don’t move into a house at all. Move into an apartment in the city. When is the last time you saw a haunted apartment in the city? Well, apart from The Sixth Sense, The Ring, The Ring 2, 1408 and a Japanese film literally called The Haunted Apartment. Hmmm…..

Written by Gareth Brown | @GarethBrown26