Would you give warning of ghosts in your STR?

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Would you give warning of ghosts in your STR?

Collin HaysBusiness Member
Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes

Disclaimer:  I am not a believer in ghosts.

We owned a cabin on the Roaring Fork River in Gatlinburg that was over 200 years old.  We bought it in 2010, and it was called "Riverhaven" at that time.  It had a history of ghosts.  We started clean, renamed it, remodeled it, new listing.  But over the next 7 years, guests continued reporting invisible visitors fairly regularly.  Really bizarre, unexplainable things.  Well, it burned to the ground in 2017, and we built a brand new, genuine log cabin in its place. 

I figured if there was a ghost, or creaky walls or old pipes or whatever, all of that was gone.  Well guess what, guests are reporting visitors again.  ;)   Nothing scary or threatening, but visitors nonetheless.  My question to the forum is, would you give warning of this to prospective guests, or at least mention it?  I say no, my wife says yes.  Help us settle this!  Thank you!

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
4y

Wouldn't say anything. Let them figure out any weirdness. You'll either scare people off or disappoint the ones expecting to see or hear something if they don't. 

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  • Nick Travali
    Member since 2022 · 15 posts · 13 votes
    4y

    I actually think thats kinda cool.  I don't currently rent properties to anyone BUT I do own a business so I'm thinking this could be a value add.   What I mean is, you may be able to rent this to a select market who are interested/geek out on this kinda stuff.  You may actually be able to rent it for MORE because of this.  Again, this is my business mindset working here. Good luck! 

    4Reply
  • Account Closed
    Member since 2020 · 42 posts · 19 votes
    4y

    I think it could go either way. On the one hand, you may scare off a lot of potential guests, but at the same time, you may be able to break into a good niche market. 

    0Reply
  • Derick Bonsu
    Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2018 · 93 posts · 54 votes
    4y

    Not sure about year round but you could make a killing around Halloween :)

    3Reply
  • Paul Sandhu
    Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    Yes, I warn them.

    I got a call last week from a group leader of 7 guys. He stayed with me about 6-8 years ago. I told him that I have a 3 story house that would fit his group. First thing he said was "is that the house that's haunted?".  He didn't want it.

    0Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    4y

    Wouldn't say anything. Let them figure out any weirdness. You'll either scare people off or disappoint the ones expecting to see or hear something if they don't. 

    13Reply
  • Ryan MoyerBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Orlando Kissimmee Davenport Salt Lake City, Park City · Member since 2019 · 991 posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Honestly thought this was going to be a joke after reading the thread title.  Unless you're intentionally trying to hit that niche and get that ghost hunting crowd then no, it seems bizarre to me to even consider it.  To each their own, of course.

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  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Ryan Moyer:

    Honestly thought this was going to be a joke after reading the thread title.  Unless you're intentionally trying to hit that niche and get that ghost hunting crowd then no, it seems bizarre to me to even consider it.  To each their own, of course.


    For clarification, my wife isn’t wanting to disclose it as a marketing ploy.  

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  • Mike Dymski
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    You could play Unchained Melody in your listing and hang a picture of Patrick Swayzey in the unit.

    5Reply
  • Jessica Parker
    Realtor · Navarre, FL · Member since 2014 · 156 posts · 55 votes
    4y

    I think @Account Closed is on to something!  Maybe you can market it that way and keep it booked.  There are a lot of people into that kind of thing.  Me on the other hand...I would certainly want to know if a place I was going to rent was haunted as that kind of stuff freaks me out.  If you aren't going to try and market it as a haunted house, I'd at least put some small disclaimer that past guests have had ghostly visits or something..Or sell it and buy something not haunted!  LOL   Btw, I'd love to hear some of the stories you've heard!  

    2Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jessica Parker:

    I think @Account Closed is on to something!  Maybe you can market it that way and keep it booked.  There are a lot of people into that kind of thing.  Me on the other hand...I would certainly want to know if a place I was going to rent was haunted as that kind of stuff freaks me out.  If you aren't going to try and market it as a haunted house, I'd at least put some small disclaimer that past guests have had ghostly visits or something..Or sell it and buy something not haunted!  LOL   Btw, I'd love to hear some of the stories you've heard!  


     Here is a summary before we purchased it in 2010.  It burned to the ground in 2017.  We built a new cabin, but we still are hearing some strange stories.

    https://ghostvillage.com/the-g...

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  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Collin Hays:
    Quote from @Jessica Parker:

    I think @Account Closed is on to something!  Maybe you can market it that way and keep it booked.  There are a lot of people into that kind of thing.  Me on the other hand...I would certainly want to know if a place I was going to rent was haunted as that kind of stuff freaks me out.  If you aren't going to try and market it as a haunted house, I'd at least put some small disclaimer that past guests have had ghostly visits or something..Or sell it and buy something not haunted!  LOL   Btw, I'd love to hear some of the stories you've heard!  


     Here is a summary before we purchased it in 2010.  It burned to the ground in 2017.  We built a new cabin, but we still are hearing some strange stories.

    https://ghostvillage.com/the-g...

     Here is yet another summary, this time by me, after we took ownership:

    https://www.hauntedplaces.org/...


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  • Account Closed
    Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Collin Hays:

    Disclaimer:  I am not a believer in ghosts.

    We owned a cabin on the Roaring Fork River in Gatlinburg that was over 200 years old.  We bought it in 2010, and it was called "Riverhaven" at that time.  It had a history of ghosts.  We started clean, renamed it, remodeled it, new listing.  But over the next 7 years, guests continued reporting invisible visitors fairly regularly.  Really bizarre, unexplainable things.  Well, it burned to the ground in 2017, and we built a brand new, genuine log cabin in its place. 

    I figured if there was a ghost, or creaky walls or old pipes or whatever, all of that was gone.  Well guess what, guests are reporting visitors again.  ;)   Nothing scary or threatening, but visitors nonetheless.  My question to the forum is, would you give warning of this to prospective guests, or at least mention it?  I say no, my wife says yes.  Help us settle this!  Thank you!


     I only disclose sasquatch.

    1Reply
  • Jessica Parker
    Realtor · Navarre, FL · Member since 2014 · 156 posts · 55 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Collin Hays:
    Quote from @Jessica Parker:

    I think @Account Closed is on to something!  Maybe you can market it that way and keep it booked.  There are a lot of people into that kind of thing.  Me on the other hand...I would certainly want to know if a place I was going to rent was haunted as that kind of stuff freaks me out.  If you aren't going to try and market it as a haunted house, I'd at least put some small disclaimer that past guests have had ghostly visits or something..Or sell it and buy something not haunted!  LOL   Btw, I'd love to hear some of the stories you've heard!  


     Here is a summary before we purchased it in 2010.  It burned to the ground in 2017.  We built a new cabin, but we still are hearing some strange stories.

    https://ghostvillage.com/the-g...


     That is so cool!  Thanks for sharing!! :D  While I wouldn't want to stay there, that is definitely a neat story..and if I ever dealt with a ghost, I hope it would be cleaning up after me and setting the table.  Sounds like a perfect ghost for your airbnb!  LOL 

    0Reply
  • Jared HottleBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Cedar falls IA Waterloo, IA · Member since 2020 · 902 posts · 549 votes
    4y

    I think this is kind of interesting. Have you read Avery Carl's book on short-term investing. If there is something that guests might not like (Like a steep drive to the STR) she says disclose but spin it as a positive and most guests will love it. I am thinking this would be a good application for that here. Especially if you let them know it is not the original structure I think you will get a lot of people who don't care and a lot of people who are enticed by such things.

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y

    Figure out a way to monetize it. Some people may get scared away, but others will definitely book just hoping for the experience. Most people don't believe in such things and are more concerned about location or the quality of mattress.

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  • Eddie L.
    NY · Member since 2021 · 143 posts · 45 votes
    4y

    I don't know why but I just imagined your insurance policy premiums going up due to higher risks of haunting haha

    0Reply
  • Que Tran
    Real Estate Agent · Scranton PA · Member since 2019 · 93 posts · 98 votes
    4y

    @Collin H.

    Yes, definitely warn. I'm scared to death of ghosts. It would not be a pleasant stay for me, and that will leave to bad remarks and reviews.

    On the other hand, many people are fascinated, and want to experience that vibe. It would bring more business to you, and willingness to pay more to have that luxury.

    Ps, my husband is not even allowed to watch 80' and 90's scary movies at our house.

    0Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Que Tran:

    @Collin H.

    Yes, definitely warn. I'm scared to death of ghosts. It would not be a pleasant stay for me, and that will leave to bad remarks and reviews.

    On the other hand, many people are fascinated, and want to experience that vibe. It would bring more business to you, and willingness to pay more to have that luxury.

    Ps, my husband is not even allowed to watch 80' and 90's scary movies at our house.


    Good thoughts, guys.  I think for now I’m going to continue monitoring guest comments. No one seems frightened or bothered.

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  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    @Collin Hays

    This is far from the first time someone has posted on this topic here. I read both summaries you posted.

    So the original location of the cabin was in the National Park, and it was only moved to downtown Gatlinburg in 1930. Now, the old building is also no more, and what stands in its new location is a new cabin. Even for a believer (and I'm not) it would be hard to see how any metaphysical echo of some event or events that caused some kind of haunting, some kind of unquiet spirit to linger at the cabin, could persist through two events of this magnitude, let alone manifest as strongly as has been claimed. It's not a poltergeist, it's not demonic possession, it's not cursed ground or a cursed structure, as the cabin is a new structure on new ground.

    Does someone who might have keys to the place not want you putting in Airbnb guests there? That seems far and away the most likely explanation for what people claim has been happening at this point, and something I would most definitely investigate before I started thinking about the necessity of disclosing to guests that your brand-spanking-new cabin is haunted by the same unrest that haunted the old cabin that used to be there because of some ancient event that only could have happened somewhere else.

    1Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jim K.:

    @Collin Hays

    This is far from the first time someone has posted on this topic here. I read both summaries you posted.

    So the original location of the cabin was in the National Park, and it was only moved to downtown Gatlinburg in 1930. Now, the old building is also no more, and what stands in its new location is a new cabin. Even for a believer (and I'm not) it would be hard to see how any metaphysical echo of some event or events that caused some kind of haunting, some kind of unquiet spirit to linger at the cabin, could persist through two events of this magnitude, let alone manifest as strongly as has been claimed. It's not a poltergeist, it's not demonic possession, it's not cursed ground or a cursed structure, as the cabin is a new structure on new ground.

    Does someone who might have keys to the place not want you putting in Airbnb guests there? That seems far and away the most likely explanation for what people claim has been happening at this point, and something I would most definitely investigate before I started thinking about the necessity of disclosing to guests that your brand-spanking-new cabin is haunted by the same unrest that haunted the old cabin that used to be there because of some ancient event that only could have happened somewhere else.


     So no need to call Ghost Busters just yet?

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  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Collin Hays:

    Disclaimer:  I am not a believer in ghosts.

    We owned a cabin on the Roaring Fork River in Gatlinburg that was over 200 years old.  We bought it in 2010, and it was called "Riverhaven" at that time.  It had a history of ghosts.  We started clean, renamed it, remodeled it, new listing.  But over the next 7 years, guests continued reporting invisible visitors fairly regularly.  Really bizarre, unexplainable things.  Well, it burned to the ground in 2017, and we built a brand new, genuine log cabin in its place. 

    I figured if there was a ghost, or creaky walls or old pipes or whatever, all of that was gone.  Well guess what, guests are reporting visitors again.  ;)   Nothing scary or threatening, but visitors nonetheless.  My question to the forum is, would you give warning of this to prospective guests, or at least mention it?  I say no, my wife says yes.  Help us settle this!  Thank you!


     How can a ghostly visitor not be scary or threatening?  I would say YES, and be promoting it to every paranormal expert globally.  Imagine the traffic you could produce if you could capture a ghost on video LOL.  

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  • Linda S.
    Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Collin Hays,

    Is this your cabin? 

    https://gatlinburghaunts.com/c...

    Also, this thread is going to show up in google searches, so I'd strongly suggest telling people ahead of time!

    0Reply
  • Monica SmithPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Tahoe City, CA · Member since 2017 · 16 posts · 16 votes
    4y

    I agree with all the posters who say this could be value-add, but also just based on the industry you're in (hospitality) then the answer is definitely YES to being transparent and also to marketing the potential.  The greatest asset you have in your hospitality business is the trust and comfort of your guests.  The more they trust and feel good, the better the reviews, the better the reviews, the more consistent your bookings, higher prices, etc, etc, the cycle goes on.  If you hide info of any kind from guests, they feel crummy and lied to, leading to bad reviews, lower demand, etc.  

    Leaving out important info is a huge "no" in my book, so if I was in your shoes I would try to make the best of it.  Maybe reach out for some "ghost stories" from past guests and quote them in the listing, look up history of the area and speculate who it could be, highlight all the interactions guests have claimed to have in a positive and friendly framework and sell the house for what it is.  There is a hotel in a town nearby to us that claims to be haunted and they charge a premium for the rooms that the ghosts apparently love the most haha.  The town is Virginia City in NV, I forget the name of the hotel.  Silver something??  Maybe check out "haunted hotels" or "haunted tourist experience" on google and see if you can find some good marketing examples out there of people in similar situations.  

    Also, I too am a non-believer, so take my advice with a grain of salt that I would feel nonchalant about it like you do, too :) Good Luck!

    0Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Linda S.:

    @Collin Hays,

    Is this your cabin? 

    https://gatlinburghaunts.com/c...

    Also, this thread is going to show up in google searches, so I'd strongly suggest telling people ahead of time!


     This thread is mostly tongue in cheek. 

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  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Collin Hays:
    Quote from @Linda S.:

    @Collin Hays,

    Is this your cabin? 

    https://gatlinburghaunts.com/c...

    Also, this thread is going to show up in google searches, so I'd strongly suggest telling people ahead of time!


     This thread is mostly tongue in cheek. 


    It's all fun and games until somebody gets ghost-fingerblasted in the middle of the night...

    1Reply
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