The house seemed perfect—a charming colonial with character and an unbeatable price. It felt like I had won the lottery. But one thing stood out: a locked basement door with an industrial lock. The real estate agent’s vague explanation unsettled me, but I ignored my doubts.

On my first night, the house’s creaks felt normal—until I heard a soft giggle coming from the basement. Fear gripped me. I called the police, but they found nothing except dust and cobwebs. Yet, the next night, the giggle returned, along with an eerie mist creeping from under the door.

Determined to uncover the truth, I set up a camera. The footage revealed the shocking reality: the previous owner, Margaret, was sneaking in with a speaker and fog machine to stage a haunting, hoping I’d abandon the house. She was arrested for trespassing and harassment.

In the end, I realized why the house was so cheap. But after confronting the hidden challenge, I truly earned my dream home—and a lesson in resilience.