Convinced Your House Is Haunted? We Asked Actual Ghosthunters What to Do

Every space has its set of quirks; small, unique idiosyncrasies that make a house feel like a home. But what happens when you witness a creepy creek, random breeze, or flickering light that you simply can’t explain? Could these seemingly normal occurrences be… well, paranormal?  “People often first suspect their home is haunted based on a strange feeling they get in certain areas,” says Wes Leslie, co-founder and ghost hunter at The Haunt in San Francisco. “While this may be psychological, it’s also possible something paranormal is at play.” 

As self-proclaimed homebodies, we’ve always wondered what our walls would say if they could talk; however, there’s always the possibility that your space has a ghost story that would give you full-body chills. So what gives? What are you supposed to do if you think your house is haunted? In honor of Halloween—where even the slightest noise can send shivers down your spine—three paranormal pros are sharing their top supernatural solutions. So take a beat, take a breath, and let these pointers give you some much-needed peace of mind.

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1. Rule out All Logical Explanations

Just because your space feels off doesn’t mean your home is haunted.  According to Cris August, director of OC Ghosts & Legends in Southern California, paranormal or supernatural activity should only be considered after all other logical explanations have been thoroughly ruled out. 

Before crying “ghost,” you may want to look into your home’s structure for any wear and tear. “Strong electrical currents can cause dizziness or disorientation,” says Leslie. “To check for this, you can use a standard electromagnetic field meter: Turn it on, sweep it through the space, and watch for spikes in readings near fuse boxes or large electronics.” If your readings are irregular and can’t be replicated, that may be a sign to investigate further.

The same goes for scary breezes: Though a gust of cold air can be chilling, it’s very possible there’s a logical explanation. “Scanning the room with an infrared thermometer can reveal faulty seals around windows or doors where cold air may be seeping in, causing that eerie chill,” Leslie adds.

2. Document Everything

Yes, everything. While some professionals recommend installing cameras, recording unusual sounds, and adding pendulums to monitor frequencies, Ross Allison of Advance Ghost Hunters of Seattle Tacoma emphasizes the importance of journaling.  “When these sounds are heard, witnesses should time the occurrences and see if there’s a pattern to when these happen,” he says. “Helping us to determine if this could be something electrical happening within the home or property.”

Meanwhile, Leslie says that pets can be great junior investigators. “If your dog avoids a certain room or barks at seemingly nothing, they might be picking up on something we can’t detect,” he says. “Pay attention to their behavior.”

3. Keep It Respectful

The mere thought of a paranormal presence on your property might be terrifying, but there’s no reason to take it out on the ghosts. In fact, Leslie says provoking or taunting the spirits can escalate the situation. Instead, it’s in your best interest to keep any ghostly interactions respectful. “Calmly and firmly state aloud that only positive, benevolent spirits are welcome, and any others must leave,” August recommends. “If you’re okay with a spirit staying, make sure to set boundaries, such as asking them not to disturb you or move objects.”

After all, despite what you see in horror movies, not all ghosts are out for blood. “Most spirits aren’t harmful, though they can be mischievous or disruptive,” Leslie says. “We always approach investigations with positive energy and treat any spirits we encounter with respect and kindness.”

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4. Don’t Panic Before a Second Opinion

Received a paranormal prognosis? Before you turn your home (and life) upside down, Allison says it never hurts to ask for a second opinion.

“I have dealt with many cases where a previous investigation team went in and convinced the owner that they were in great harm—placing these individuals in mental distress and possibly financial ruin,” he shares. “After my team’s investigation, we discovered that many of the claims could be debunked or that the phenomena were not threatening in any way.”

In fact, Allison says that the best way to help clients is to educate them. “Most folks dealing with strange encounters are misled or not educated enough to understand what could be happening,” he adds. “I personally documented many cases where these practices have helped the individuals deal with living with this phenomena and even possibly helping the spirits as well.”

5. Add Spiritual Protection to Your Space

Religious intervention and mental health support are two great ways to resolve a supernatural situation, but a few decor tweaks can also help. “Smudging by burning sage is a popular practice,” August says. “While doing this, set a clear intention, such as asking for protection or driving away negative energy.” He also recommends accessorizing your space with crystals like black tourmaline, obsidian, and amethyst, which are believed to repel negative energy. Stylish and spirit-free? Yes, please.