How to Find out if Someone Died in my House

Last updated on June 25th, 2025 at 08:07 am

Want to know if someone died in your house? You’re not alone. Many homeowners are curious about their home’s history. This guide shows you simple ways to find out.

We will also address common questions such as what are the chances of someone dying in a house and does a death affect a home’s value.

Why People Want to Know

There are good reasons to research your home’s past:

Peace of Mind: Knowing helps you feel better about your home.

Home Value: Some buyers avoid houses where people died. This can lower your home’s value.

Legal Rules: If you sell your house, you might need to tell buyers about deaths.

History: Learning about past residents is interesting.Do Deaths Lower Home Value?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on:

• How the person died
• When it happened
• What buyers in your area think
• Your state’s laws

Recent deaths usually matter more than old ones. Natural deaths matter less than violent ones.

Important: Check your state’s laws about telling buyers. Each state is different.

10 Ways to Find Death Records

1. Google Your Address

Start simple. Search online using your home address. Look for:

• News stories
• Obituaries
• Public records
• Local history sites

2. Ask Your Neighbors

Talk to neighbors who lived there a long time. They often know about:

• Who lived in your house before
• Big events in the neighborhood
• Local history

Be polite when you ask. Always check what they tell you.

3. Go to the Library

Your local library has helpful resources:

• Old newspapers
• City phone books from past years
• Local history books
• Librarians who can help you search

4. Call Vital Records Office

County and state offices keep many important records. This government office keeps death records. They show the person’s name, birth date, and cause of death.

They can tell you:

• If someone died at your address
• Basic death information
• How to get copies of death certificates

You’ll need your exact address. Some information might be private.

5. Contact Historical Society

Local historical groups often have:

• Neighborhood records
• Old photos and documents
• Stories about local events
• Special collections

6. Check Government Records

Look at official records like:

• Property deeds
• Court files
• Census data
• Marriage and death certificates

7. Use Death Record Websites

DiedInHouse.com: This paid service searches death records for your address. It’s not perfect but can help.

HouseCreep.com: People report deaths and strange events here. Always double-check this information.

8. Try Family History Sites

Websites like Ancestry.com have:

• Death records
• Old census information
• Family trees
• Historical maps

9. Hire a Professional

Consider hiring help:

Genealogists: They’re experts at finding historical records about houses and families.

Private Investigators: They can access special databases and dig deeper.

10. Ask Real Estate Agents

Real estate professionals know:

• Property history
• Local disclosure laws
• How deaths affect home values
• Where to find more information

What Sellers Must Tell Buyers

Rules vary by state:

• Most states require telling about deaths in the last 1-3 years
• Some only require disclosure for violent deaths
• Sellers must answer direct questions honestly

What Buyers Should Know

If you’re buying a house:

• Ask directly about deaths
• Do your own research if it matters to you
• Know your state’s laws
• Think about how this affects your decision

When to Hire Professionals

Get professional help when:

• You can’t find information on your own
• The house has a complicated history
• You need official documentation
• Legal issues might come up

Research Tips

Start Easy: Try free methods first before paying for services.

Keep Records: Save what you find for later.

Be Respectful: Be kind when asking neighbors or families about sensitive topics.

Check Multiple Sources: Don’t trust just one source.

Know Limits: Some information might not be available.

Making Your Decision

Once you know your home’s history, you can:

• Feel more comfortable in your house
• Prepare for future sales
• Understand your property’s value
• Learn about your neighborhood

Understanding Disclosure Laws

Disclosure laws are important whether you’re buying or selling a house.

What Sellers Must Tell Buyers

Time Limits: Most states make sellers tell buyers about deaths that happened in the last 1-3 years. Some states require longer periods.

What Must Be Disclosed?

Sellers must share any known issues that could change a property’s value or how buyers see it. This includes problems with the building and any deaths. Sellers aim to be clear and honest to help buyers make good choices. 

This way, everyone in the real estate world can trust and respect each other more.

Types of Deaths: Rules differ by state:

• Natural deaths (illness, old age) – some states don’t require disclosure
• Violent deaths (murder, suicide) – most states require disclosure
• Accidents – usually must be disclosed
• Drug overdoses – typically must be disclosed

How to Disclose: Sellers usually put this information in writing. They can’t hide it or lie about it.

Penalties: Sellers who don’t follow disclosure laws can face lawsuits and have to pay damages.

When should you disclose, or not disclose, a death

It is generally a good idea to disclose a death if it may affect the buyer’s decision to proceed with the purchase or if there is a legal obligation to disclose a death.

In some cases, disclosing the death may be to the detriment of the market value of the property.

Ask a real estate expert or attorney to help guide you in making a decision about whether or not to disclose a death in your home.

Final Thoughts 

While is may seem creepy to think about someone dying in a house, it does bother some people. 

It is totally reasonable for someone not to want to purchase a new place if someone happened to pass away in it. Have a house that someone died in? We buy homes in San Antonio, TX.