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Have chilly drafts, flickering lights, or creepy sounds made you question if your home is haunted? Haunted houses are more common than you think! According to Realtor.com’s study in 2017, about 28% of people believe they have lived in a haunted house. 33% said they would be open to living in a haunted house—while 40% said they would need a price reduction before putting in an offer. Whether or not you’d be open to living in a haunted house, here are a few tips that may help reduce the “spookiness” of your home.

Chilly Drafts: Ghosts or Leaks?

Have you ever felt a cold spot in your home—like “something” just walked past you? Does your hanging décor seem to move as if there was a breeze? While these could be signs of ghosts, the more likely reason is you have a leak somewhere in your house. Check the frames around doors and windows for cracks—are there gaps around electrical outlets or between the baseboards and walls? Caulking around frames and floors could repair small cracks. For larger fixes (such as windows or doors), you may want to consider replacing or upgrading—which might save you money on energy costs.

Flickering Lights: Spirits or Electrical Issues?

While flickering lights could be the presence of spirits, it may also be a sign of an electrical problem. First, check the flickering lightbulb to make sure it’s screwed in tightly. Do the lights only flicker when a particular appliance is turned on? Large appliances—such as deep freezers or AC/Heating units—draw more energy and could dim lights when they turn on. You may also want to consider calling an electrician for larger fixes, regularly blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers, for example. Electrical issues can lead to a house fire, so be sure to have these checked out and repaired quickly.

Creepy Sounds: Haunted or Other? 

All houses make noise. Loud creaks are likely from the foundation settling or the expansion and contraction caused by cold air within your home’s wooden structure. Signs of more severe foundation issues include cracking in walls or floor tiles, in which case, a reputable foundation company would be able to confirm. However, if you feel like you hear other sounds, it may be something more serious. No—not a haunting from evil spirits—but carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Common sources of CO include clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves, and more. Symptoms of CO poisoning could include headache, dizziness, chest pain, and confusion. To protect yourself and your family, purchase a CO detector. They are required by California law to have for any renovations, and if you plan on buying or selling your house.

If you’re ready to rid your home of its “haunting nature,” then it’s time to renovate! Even updated light fixtures and paint colors could help breathe life back into your home. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is exactly what you need to banish those spirits back to where they came from. With low rates, fewer fees, and personalized service, our team of local experts can help you take the “haunt” out of your home. Schedule an appointment with a Yolo Federal Representative today!

 

Subject to approval. Restrictions may apply. Yolo Federal Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 401954

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