High number of house hunters ask about ghosts

New research reveals that a surprising number number of househunters actually ask estate agents about ghosts.

A survey from UK residential property experts Move with Us has uncovered the bizarre things that estate agents are asked when conducting property viewings.

Some 19% of questions asked by viewers were about ghosts with estate agents being asked if they were aware of any spirits residing in the property. One viewer even tried to connect to the ‘other side’ in the hallway just to make sure and another viewer said she would like a ghost in the house as she ‘likes the company’.

Fewer people asked about what is included in the property purchase with just 13% posing this question. However, one viewer asked if the parrot in the house he was viewing was for sale too.

Overall some 12% of the questions independent estate agents were asked by customers were about animals and 30% of those were about cows. Some of the questions included whether a roof has a problem with squirrels, whether the cows in a nearby field would moo too loudly and whether the cows were always in the field.

Only 6% of questions were about the neighbours. The more bizarre questions included asking if the neighbours eat a lot of chips and asking about neighbouring cats was quite common.

Other somewhat bewildering questions included asking if the kitchen was inside or out, could the buyer stay in the house before agreeing to buy and whether there was insulation in then garden.

‘Although the data that we’ve collated is amusing it does highlight the importance of buyers needing to be better equipped with as much information as possible before visiting a property,’ said Robin King, Move with Us director.

‘Knowing what questions to ask and doing a little bit of research is the best tactic and ensures that buyers have all the information they need to make an informed decision on their home purchase, avoiding any disappointments or regrets further along in the process,’ he explained.

‘Jotting down the questions you want answering prior to attending a viewing is always a good idea as often your heart can take over and rule your head before you’ve considered the more practical aspects,’ he added.