If you’re asking yourself “is my house haunted?”, you’re in good company. It’s the question behind most of the calls and messages we receive at SF Paranormal. Some homes really do have activity that nobody can explain. Many more have a perfectly ordinary cause that simply hasn’t been found yet.
This guide walks you through the most common signs of a haunting, the everyday problems that can look exactly like one, how to document what’s happening, and when it makes sense to bring in a Bay Area paranormal investigator.
Safety first: if you or your family get headaches, dizziness, nausea or confusion, or the strange feelings are strongest when the heater or a gas appliance is running, test for carbon monoxide before anything else. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause exactly these symptoms, along with a sense of dread or even hallucinations. If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911 or your gas utility.
12 Signs Your House Might Be Haunted
None of these signs proves a haunting on its own. What matters is how often something happens, whether more than one person experiences it, and whether it survives a sensible look for ordinary causes.
1. Footsteps or movement in empty rooms
Footsteps in a hallway or upstairs when you know the house is empty are one of the most frequently reported signs. Note the time, the direction the steps seem to travel, and whether they ever stop at a particular door.
2. Knocks, taps or bangs with no source
Single bangs are usually the house expanding or contracting. Knocking that comes in patterns, repeats at the same time each night, or seems to respond to people talking is more unusual and worth recording.
3. Voices, whispers or hearing your name
People often describe muffled conversation in another room or a voice calling their name as they drift off. Try to capture it on audio, and check whether neighbors, a radio or a TV could explain it.
4. Doors opening or closing on their own
A door that swings when the front door opens is a pressure change. A door that you’ve latched and later find wide open, with no one else home, is a different matter.
5. Objects moving, disappearing or reappearing
Keys that vanish and turn up somewhere obvious, items rearranged on a shelf, or things found in the middle of the floor are classic poltergeist-style reports. Photograph where you leave things so you have something to compare against.
6. Cold spots that move
Drafts stay near windows, vents and doors. A cold spot that’s sharply defined, moves around a room, or appears in an interior space with no airflow is worth measuring with a simple thermometer.
7. Electronics acting strangely
Lights flickering, a TV switching on, or phones and baby monitors picking up odd sounds can point to activity, but they point more often to wiring. See the “rule out” section below.
8. Shadow figures
Many reports describe a dark shape seen out of the corner of the eye, often in a doorway or at the foot of the bed. Shadow figures are taken more seriously when more than one person sees them, or when they’re seen while fully awake.
9. Feeling watched or not alone
A heavy, persistent feeling that someone is in the room is hard to measure but very common. Pay attention to whether it’s tied to one room, one time of day, or one person in the household.
10. Pets reacting to nothing
Dogs barking at an empty corner, cats tracking something across the ceiling, or a pet that refuses to enter one room can be meaningful, especially if it’s new behavior. Rule out pests, smells and sounds you can’t hear.
11. Unexplained smells
Perfume, pipe or cigar smoke, flowers or burning with no source are reported in many hauntings. A smell that comes and goes in one spot, and that other people also notice, should go in your log.
12. Children describing someone who isn’t there
Imaginary friends are a normal part of childhood. It becomes notable when a child describes a specific person, gives details they couldn’t know, or becomes frightened. Stay calm and avoid leading questions.
What to Rule Out Before You Assume It’s Paranormal
A good investigation starts by trying to explain the activity in ordinary terms. Here’s what we check first in Bay Area homes, many of which are older houses and Victorians with their own quirks.
- Carbon monoxide and gas leaks. As above, test first. Plug-in CO detectors are inexpensive.
- Electrical problems. Flickering lights, buzzing outlets and devices turning on can come from loose wiring or failing switches. Unshielded wiring can also produce unusually high electromagnetic fields, which some researchers believe can contribute to feelings of unease. An electrician can check this.
- Plumbing and heating. Pipes knock (“water hammer”), ducts pop as they heat and cool, and wooden houses creak as the temperature drops at night. These sounds often happen at the same time every night, which can feel deliberate.
- Pests. Rats, mice, raccoons and even birds in walls, attics and crawl spaces can make footsteps, scratching and knocking.
- Drafts and air pressure. Opening an exterior door, a running bathroom fan or a heater kicking on can swing interior doors and create cold spots.
- Low-frequency sound. In 1998, engineer Vic Tandy linked eerie feelings and a gray shape he saw in his lab to low-frequency vibration from a fan. Fans, pumps, traffic and nearby machinery can produce sound below the range of hearing.
- Sleep paralysis. Seeing a figure, feeling pressure on the chest or hearing voices while falling asleep or waking up is a well-documented sleep experience. It’s frightening, but it isn’t necessarily paranormal.
- Shared walls. In San Francisco apartments and flats, sounds from neighbors travel in surprising ways through pipes, vents and floors.
If you’ve worked through this list and the activity is still there, that’s exactly the point where documentation becomes valuable.
How to Document Activity at Home
- Keep an activity log. Record the date, time, room, who was present, what happened and how long it lasted. Patterns show up quickly once it’s written down.
- Record audio and video. A phone or inexpensive camera left running in the most active room overnight is a good start. Label each recording with the date and location.
- Photograph moved objects before you touch them, and note where they were originally.
- Note other witnesses. Activity seen or heard by more than one person carries more weight.
- Stay neutral. Avoid provoking anything you believe is there, and we recommend against Ouija boards or “spirit apps.” They add confusion to the record and can raise anxiety in the household.
When to Call a Paranormal Investigator
Consider asking for help when:
- Activity is increasing in frequency or intensity
- More than one person has experienced it independently
- It’s affecting sleep, children or your ability to feel safe at home
- You’ve ruled out the obvious causes and still have no explanation
- You’ve captured audio, video or photos you can’t account for
At SF Paranormal, we approach every case calmly and without judgment. We start by listening, then use structured methods and equipment to document the environment, look for ordinary explanations, and review any evidence carefully. You can read more about our approach on the home page, learn about the different types of hauntings, or meet the team.
Is My House Haunted? Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new house be haunted?
Reports come from new homes as well as old ones. Activity is often tied to people, objects or the land rather than only the age of the building.
Is a haunting dangerous?
Most reported activity is unsettling rather than harmful. If anyone feels physically unwell, check for carbon monoxide and see a doctor first. If anyone is in danger, call 911.
Should we try to communicate with it?
We advise against it, particularly with Ouija boards. Focus on documenting what happens instead.
Do you investigate homes outside San Francisco?
Yes. We work across the Bay Area, including Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley and the surrounding cities.
How much does an investigation cost?
It depends on the location and scope of the case. Send us your report and we’ll talk you through it.
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