5 Signs Your Home May Be Haunted!

Legend has it that during the Autumn months, the veil between the realms of the living and the dead grows thinner. Halloween falls bang in the middle of the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice and is the night when, according to Celtic mythology, spirits can cross over with greater ease… 

If at this time of year, you notice that your lights are suddenly flickering more than usual, or if that cold spot in the kitchen feels extra chilly it may well be that your house is haunted! Before you reach for the phone to call you-know-who, however, take a moment to check the list below to see if your property in Malta or Gozo is actually haunted or if you just need the services of a good handyman.

1. Strange scents

Are you suddenly catching a whiff of perfume or cologne that you don’t wear? Or suddenly smelling tobacco when nobody in your house smokes? Paranormal investigators call these ‘phantom scents’ and say it’s often a sign you could be cohabiting with a ghost. Burning some sage (also known as smudging) is a tried and tested method of cleansing the space and should get rid of any unwanted aromas.

Of course, it’s also worth checking out the back of the fridge, as let’s be honest – some of the odours that emanate from there could be considered downright terrifying!

2. Object movement

You swear you left your keys by the door, but you found them in a different room. You know those picture frames were straight but now they’re decidedly crooked. Spirits will sometimes move things around just to let you know they’re there, but it’s quite a big challenge for a ghost to build enough energy to actually physically engage with an object. Unless it’s a poltergeist in which case you’ll know by the flying books and rearranged the furniture in your Malta property.

Maybe your phone ended up in the microwave because a mischievous ghost put it there, or maybe it was the work of that fourth limoncello after dinner? If you’re at all worried then a) hang some cleansing crystals in your doorways and b) stay off the liqueurs.

3. Mysterious sounds

Waking up to creaks and thumps? Knocking, footsteps, disembodied voices, doors creaking open when nobody is there? Any sounds that are out of the ordinary are a strong sign that someone is trying to communicate with you. You may notice these noises more in the wee, small hours. That’s because the veil between here and the spiritual word is at its thinnest at around 3 o’clock in the morning – spirits will find it easier to give you a bit of a nudge at that time.

That scratching noise could be a ghost, but it might be worth checking for mice. That muffled thumping could be a visitor from the spirit realm, or it could be your neighbour doing an early morning workout which you may wish to soundproof your property in Malta. That banging might be a paranormal manifestation or it might be the meter reader knocking on your door – they do like to come early!

4. Cold spots 

Apparently ghosts draw energy and heat from the environment which is why sudden shifts in temperature can indicate a paranormal presence. In horror films you’ll sometimes see people’s breath to indicate a ghostly presence but it’s not always that extreme. What you will feel however is that shiver down your spine when you step into a cold pocket of air which simply has no business being there.

Bear in mind that given the extreme summers here in Malta it might be hard to tell the difference between a cold spot and an overenthusiastic AC unit. Therefore, it is important to know how to keep your home warm during the winter season.

5. Pets behaving strangely 

Animals can sense things that aren’t detectable to humans, whether it’s sounds, smells or sights. Dogs can even anticipate natural phenomena like earthquakes and storms, so it’s no surprise they can sense the presence of a ghost. If you notice your pet gravitating towards a certain corner in your home, or focusing on one specific spot, when it appears nothing is there – well, there’s a chance they are picking up on some paranormal entity. 

Don’t forget pets love to unnerve their owners by regularly staring at random corners of the ceiling. Dogs will bark repeatedly at the sofa because their toy is underneath it. Cats will throw hissy fits complete with giant fluffy tails because of a sweet wrapper. Pets can be weird!

If you think there may be some sort of paranormal activity going on in your home you might want to check out the history of your property. You could search public records, or put your address into a search engine, like or property database, or even strike up a conversation with a neighbour to see if they have any knowledge about your property in Malta or Gozo. Or else, why not ask your expert RE/MAX agent directly whether they can shed any light onto your home’s past? Read more about 10 best Halloween decorating ideas for your home.