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Quick answer: The new FNT Property Pro farm import lets you bring an existing farm over from the platform you use today in four steps: export your farm, sign in and upload the file, give the farm a name, and click Import. Property Pro recognizes the farm automatically, so there is no column mapping to fight with. If you can’t export your farm yourself, you can request a copy from the Customer Service team, or just call me and I’ll help.

If you’ve been farming the same Inland Empire neighborhoods for years, the last thing you want is to start over from a blank map. I hear it from agents all the time: “I’d try a new farming tool, but I’ve got years of work sitting in the old one.” Fidelity National Title heard the same thing, and the newest update to FNT Property Pro is built for exactly that problem. As the November Fidelity Insider put it, your farms travel well.

Here’s how the new farm import works, which platforms it supports, and a few tips I’d share with any agent in Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Fontana, Ontario, Eastvale or anywhere else in the IE before you make the move.

What is FNT Property Pro?

FNT Property Pro is Fidelity National Title’s property data and farming platform for agents and teams. According to the Property Pro site, it gives you dynamic farming tools, ownership details such as how long an owner has held a property, filters that help you focus on likely sellers, and a live list builder that lets you export mailing labels or sync lists to your CRM.

In plain English: it helps you pick the right neighborhoods, understand who lives there, and stay in front of them consistently. That’s how you become the agent everyone in the tract knows by name.

Which farming platforms can you import from?

According to Fidelity National Title’s November newsletter, the new import supports farms exported from these platforms:

• Active Farm
• Total Farm
• Live Farm
• Dynamic Farm
• Tech Farm
• TP247
• GPS
• Title Toolbox

If your current tool isn’t on that list, don’t give up. Call me and we’ll figure out the best way to rebuild that farm in Property Pro.

How to import your farm into FNT Property Pro in 4 steps

This walk-through follows Fidelity National Title’s Move Your Farm flyer (PDF).

Step 1: Export your farm

Go into the farming platform you use today and export your farm as a file. If you’re not sure how to export it, or you’d rather not deal with it, you can request a copy from the Customer Service team instead.

Step 2: Import your file

Sign in to FNT Property Pro and upload the farm file you exported in step 1.

Step 3: Name your farm

Property Pro recognizes your farm automatically, so there’s no complicated data mapping. All you have to do is give the farm a name. My tip: use names you’ll recognize at a glance six months from now, like “Etiwanda North 2026” or “Upland Colonies,” instead of “Farm 1.”

Step 4: Complete your import

Click Import, and your farm is ready to use. That’s it.

What to do after your farm is in Property Pro

Getting the farm moved is step one. Here’s how I’d put it to work this month:

• Check the boundaries. Pull up the map and make sure the farm covers the streets you actually work. Adjust it if your territory has grown.
• Build a fresh list. Use the live list builder to pull a current mailing list instead of relying on a static list that may have gone stale.
• Look at ownership and tenure. Long-time owners in a neighborhood can be great people to start a conversation with about their options.
• Plan a November touch. The holidays are a natural reason to reach out. A short note, a market update or a local events list keeps you top of mind without a hard sell.
• Stay consistent. Farming works because homeowners see your name again and again. Pick a rhythm you can keep and stick to it.

Why it matters for Inland Empire agents

Farming is a long game. The agents I’ve watched win in the Inland Empire over my 24+ years in this business are the ones who show up in the same neighborhoods month after month. Losing that history because you switched tools can set you back. The new import means your years of farming come with you, and you get Property Pro’s data on top of it.

FNT Property Pro features and supported platforms come from Fidelity National Title’s November 2026 newsletter, its Move Your Farm flyer and the FNT Property Pro website. Features can change, so check with me for the latest.

Need help moving your farm? Call your Title Guy

I’m Ryan J. Orr, VP with Fidelity National Title in Rancho Cucamonga. If you’d like a hand exporting your farm, getting set up in Property Pro, or planning your next mailing, call or text me at 909-447-9266, or book a quick 30-minute call on my calendar. You can also find my agent tools at fidelityagent.com/ryanorr.

What neighborhood are you farming this year? Tell me, and I’ll help you make it yours.

Every agent has had this happen: the Closing Disclosure goes out a day late and the signing you promised your clients moves. Under TRID, the CD has to reach the borrower three days before consummation. The 2027 TRID Calendar from Fidelity National Title lets you look up any date in 2027 and see the earliest signing date right away.

Download the free 2027 TRID Calendar (PDF)

What the TRID 3-day rule means for agents

Here’s the short version from the calendar’s own notes:

• The period is counted in days, not hours. The calendar says the disclosure “must be delivered three days before closing, and not 72 hours prior to closing.”
• Sundays and observed holidays don’t count. On the calendar they show up in red, with a dash where a signing date would be.
• Delivery method matters. Hand delivery and mail delivery each get their own row, and the mail dates come later.
• E-delivery is an option. Disclosures “may also be delivered electronically to start the Delivery Period and may be signed in compliance with E-Sign requirements.”

How to read the calendar

Each month has three rows:

1. CD delivery date: the day the Closing Disclosure goes out.
2. Signing Date (Hand): the earliest signing date if the CD was hand-delivered that day.
3. Signing Date (Mail): the earliest signing date if the CD was mailed that day.

Find the delivery date in the top row and read straight down. Page 2 also has a reference by day of the week chart. A CD hand-delivered on Monday signs Thursday, Tuesday signs Friday, Wednesday signs Saturday, Thursday signs Monday, and Friday signs Tuesday. A mailed CD signs on the same weekday the following week. Sunday is never counted.

Worked examples (read straight off the 2027 calendar)

• A normal week: a CD hand-delivered Wednesday, January 6, 2027 can sign on Saturday, January 9.
• A holiday weekend: a CD hand-delivered Thursday, January 14, 2027 can’t sign until Tuesday, January 19. Sunday 1/17 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday 1/18) are both skipped. If that same CD is mailed on January 14, the earliest signing date is Friday, January 22.
• Thanksgiving week: a CD hand-delivered Monday, November 22, 2027 can sign on Friday, November 26, because Thanksgiving (Thursday 11/25) doesn’t count. Mailed that same Monday, it signs on Tuesday, November 30.
• Memorial Day: a CD hand-delivered Thursday, May 27, 2027 signs on Tuesday, June 1. Sunday 5/30 and Memorial Day (5/31) are skipped.

2027 dates that affect your signing date

According to the calendar, these 2027 dates push signing dates out:

Date	Holiday
Jan 1	New Year’s Day
Jan 18	Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 15	Presidents’ Day
May 31	Memorial Day
June 19	Juneteenth Independence Day
Jul 5	Independence Day (observed)
Sept 6	Labor Day
Oct 11	Columbus Day
Nov 11	Veterans Day
Nov 25	Thanksgiving Day
Dec 25	Christmas Day

The calendar also notes that Fidelity National Title is open for business on Columbus Day and Veterans Day and can sign eligible borrowers.

Get your copy

Print the calendar, keep it at your desk, and share it with your team and your lender partners. Download the 2027 TRID Calendar (PDF), or comment “TRID” on any of my posts and I’ll send it to you.

Do you have questions about a closing timeline, or want a stack of printed copies for your office? Contact Ryan J. Orr, VP at Fidelity National Title in Rancho Cucamonga, at TeamTitleGuy.com.

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Disclaimer (paraphrased from the calendar): This calendar is general information to help real estate professionals estimate when a transaction with an applicable loan may consummate. It isn’t legal advice. The CFPB rule that sets these time periods also allows them to be shortened or extended in some situations. Every transaction is different, and the lender has the final say on the actual consummation date, so check with your escrow officer or loan officer for your transaction. The content is for informational purposes only and is considered reliable but not guaranteed.

For those who like exercise (and/or turkey trots), mark your calendars! Fidelity National Title has put together a list of 42 turkey trots in 39 Southern California cities. Most are on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026, but some run earlier, on November 14, 19, 21 and 22. If you’ve been searching “turkey trot near me” in the Inland Empire, start here.

Download the Turkey Trots Southern California 2026 flyer (PDF)

Inland Empire turkey trots

Date	City	Sign-up link
Sat, Nov 14	San Dimas	LASD Turkey Trot 5K, Bonelli Park
Sat, Nov 21	San Bernardino	sbturkeytrot.com
Sat, Nov 21	Perris	MVRRC Turkey Run, Lake Perris
Thu, Nov 26	Claremont	Claremont Turkey Trot, Memorial Park
Thu, Nov 26	Upland	uplandca.gov
Thu, Nov 26	Redlands	redlandsturkeytrot.org
Thu, Nov 26	Big Bear	bigbear.com
Thu, Nov 26	Temecula	Temecula Turkey Trot & Food Drive
Thu, Nov 26	Menifee	Inland Valley Turkey Trot
Thu, Nov 26	Palm Springs	Palm Springs Wild Turkey Trot 5K

Training tip from the Loop Troop: my hiking group, the Loop Troop, does Wednesday sunrise hikes at 6 AM at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. It’s a fun way to get some miles in before your Thanksgiving 5K, and everyone’s welcome.

All Southern California turkey trots, sorted by date

Date	City	Website (from the flyer)
Nov 14	Fountain Valley	runsignup.com
Nov 14	Long Beach	runsignup.com
Nov 14	San Dimas	runsignup.com
Nov 14	San Gabriel	sangabrielcity.com
Nov 19	Port Hueneme	ventura.navylifesw.com
Nov 21	El Monte	cityofsouthelmonte.org
Nov 21	Perris	runsignup.com
Nov 21	San Bernardino	sbturkeytrot.com
Nov 22	Anaheim	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Anaheim	adventuresignup.com
Nov 26	Big Bear	bigbear.com
Nov 26	Bonita	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Claremont	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Coronado	rchacoronadoturkeytrot.com
Nov 26	Dana Point	turkeytrot.com
Nov 26	Encinitas	encinitasturkeytrot.org
Nov 26	Huntington Beach	hbturkeywobble.com
Nov 26	Irvine	runocturkeytrot.com
Nov 26	Long Beach	justinrudd.com
Nov 26	Los Angeles	turkeytrot.la
Nov 26	Menifee	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Mission Viejo	turkeytrotontheranch.com
Nov 26	Oceanside	visitoceanside.org
Nov 26	Ojai	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Pacific Palisades	paliturkeytrot.com
Nov 26	Palm Desert	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Palm Springs	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Pasadena	rosebowlturkeytrot.com
Nov 26	Redlands	redlandsturkeytrot.org
Nov 26	San Diego	radyfoundation.org
Nov 26	San Diego	thanksgivingrun.org
Nov 26	San Diego North	northcountyturkeytrot.com
Nov 26	Santa Clarita	btohome.org
Nov 26	Santa Monica	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Simi Valley	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Temecula	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Thousand Oaks	five07turkeydaydash.org
Nov 26	Torrance	torranceca.gov
Nov 26	Tustin	runsignup.com
Nov 26	Upland	uplandca.gov
Nov 26	Van Nuys	abetterworldrunning.com
Nov 26	Ventura	runsignup.com

Dates and websites come from the Fidelity National Title flyer. Where the flyer only lists runsignup.com, search the city’s name on RunSignup to find the race. Claremont’s link is corrected here, since turkeytrot.com is the Dana Point race’s site. Start times, fees and registration deadlines are set by each race, so confirm on the race site.

FAQ

Is there a turkey trot near me in the Inland Empire?
Yes. In 2026 there are trots in San Dimas (Nov 14), San Bernardino and Perris (Nov 21), plus Claremont, Upland, Redlands, Big Bear, Temecula, Menifee and Palm Springs on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26.

Is there a Thanksgiving 5K in Claremont?
The flyer lists a Claremont turkey trot on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Upland’s is the same morning if you’d like something even closer to Rancho Cucamonga.

When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thursday, November 26, 2026. That’s when most turkey trots on this list take place.

Are there turkey trots before Thanksgiving?
Yes. Fountain Valley, Long Beach, San Dimas and San Gabriel run on Nov 14. Port Hueneme is Nov 19, El Monte, Perris and San Bernardino are Nov 21, and Anaheim has one on Nov 22.

Is there a printable list?
Yes. Download the PDF, or comment “TROT” on any of my posts and I’ll send it to you.

Run, walk, then eat pie

Pace doesn’t matter. Showing up with your people does. If you sign up for one, tag me, and I’d love to see your race-day photos. Ryan J. Orr, VP at Fidelity National Title, Rancho Cucamonga, TeamTitleGuy.com.

November kicks off the holiday season and starts with an extra hour of sleep. Here are the dates to know for November 2026, along with some fun facts from the Fidelity National Title “Fun Facts about the Month of November” flyer.

Download the November Fun Facts flyer (PDF)

Special days in November 2026

Date	What’s happening
Sunday, Nov 1	Daylight Saving Time ends (clocks fall back one hour)
Tuesday, Nov 10	U.S. Marine Corps Birthday
Wednesday, Nov 11	Veterans Day
Thursday, Nov 26	Thanksgiving Day
Friday, Nov 27	Black Friday
Saturday, Nov 28	Small Business Saturday

November birth month facts

• Birthstone: topaz
• Flower: chrysanthemum
• Zodiac signs: Scorpio and Sagittarius

Ways to honor November

• No-Shave November (Men’s Health Awareness)
• National Adoption Awareness Month
• National Diabetes Awareness Month
• Aviation History Month
• Peanut Butter Lovers Month

This month in history

• November 1, 1848: The first medical school for women opens in Boston.
• November 2, 1889: North Dakota and South Dakota become the 39th and 40th states.
• November 3, 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik II, the first inhabited space capsule, carrying a dog named Laika.
• November 8, 1889: Montana becomes the 41st state.
• November 18, 1883: North American railroads switch to Standard Railway Time (SRT).
• November 26, 1789: President George Washington’s first national Thanksgiving, a day of prayer and public thanks for the new American republic.
• Bonus (October 31, 1864): Nevada becomes the 36th state.

Did you know? Thanksgiving edition

• Thanksgiving has been observed every year in the U.S. since 1863. It replaced Evacuation Day, an informal national holiday held each November 25 before the Civil War to mark the British withdrawal after the American Revolution.
• Since 1941, the law has set Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November, so it can land anywhere from November 22 to 28. In years when it falls on the 22nd or 23rd, it’s the second-to-last Thursday, not the last. Either way, it’s always the Thursday before the last Saturday of November.
• Because it’s a federal holiday, U.S. government offices close, and the New York Stock Exchange and most financial markets close too.

Shop small in Rancho Cucamonga

Small Business Saturday is November 28. The Inland Empire is full of small businesses run by our neighbors, so this year, try spending a little of your holiday budget at a local shop, restaurant or service in Rancho Cucamonga and across the IE.

FAQ

When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026?
Sunday, November 1, 2026. Clocks go back one hour.

When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thursday, November 26, 2026. Black Friday is November 27, and Small Business Saturday is November 28.

When is Veterans Day 2026?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The Marine Corps birthday is the day before, Tuesday, November 10.

What is the November birthstone?
Topaz. The November flower is the chrysanthemum.

Say hello

Have a favorite November tradition? I’d love to hear it. Ryan J. Orr, VP at Fidelity National Title, Rancho Cucamonga, TeamTitleGuy.com.

If you’re looking for things to do in Southern California this November, or fall events near Rancho Cucamonga, this list is a good place to start. Fidelity National Title put together a flyer of autumn and holiday events, and I checked each one against the event’s own website. Here are 26 events running from November 2026 into January 2027. It covers the Inland Empire, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and Ventura County, and each event has its dates and website. Here’s the whole list, sorted by date, plus my picks close to home.

Download the Autumn Events Southern California 2026 flyer (PDF)

Inland Empire picks near Rancho Cucamonga

• Rancho Cucamonga: Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting at Victoria Gardens, Friday, November 6 at 7 PM in Chaffey Town Square. Event details.
• Oak Glen: apple picking at Riley’s Farm, while the apples last this fall. Check Riley’s Farm U-Pick page for what’s ready before you go.
• Palm Springs Pride, November 5 to 8, with the parade on Sunday, November 8.
• Big Bear Oktoberfest, final dates November 7 to 8 and November 14.
• Temecula Valley De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Festival, November 8.
• Corona Lakeside Night Market, November 13.
• Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights, November 21 through January 3, 2027. It’s one of the best-known holiday lights displays near Riverside.

Holiday lights in Southern California

• Santa Monica Frost on Fifth (ice rink): opens Nov 5
• L.A. Zoo Lights: Nov 20 to Jan 10, 2027
• Encinitas Lightscape: Nov 20 to Jan 3, 2027
• Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights: Nov 21 to Jan 3, 2027
• La Cañada Flintridge Enchanted: Forest of Light (Descanso Gardens): Nov 22 to Jan 9, 2027

Full list of 2026 fall events, sorted by date

Dates	City	Event	Website
Now, while apples last	Oak Glen (Yucaipa)	Apple Picking at Riley’s Farm	RileysFarm.com
Nov 1 to 8	San Diego	Food + Wine Festival	sandiegowineclassic.com
Nov 1 to 15	San Diego	Fleet Week	FleetWeekSanDiego.org
Opens Nov 5	Santa Monica	Frost on Fifth ice rink	FrostOnFifth.com
Nov 5 to 8 (parade Nov 8)	Palm Springs	Palm Springs Pride	PSPride.org
Nov 6, 7 PM	Rancho Cucamonga	Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting, Victoria Gardens	ShopVictoriaGardens.com
Nov 7	Irvine	Holiday Faire	CityofIrvine.org
Nov 7 to 8 and Nov 14	Big Bear	Oktoberfest	BigBearEvents.com
Nov 7 to 8	Costa Mesa	Orange County Wine Fest	orangecountywinefest.com
Nov 8	Temecula Valley	De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Festival	deportolawinetrail.com
Nov 13	Corona	Lakeside Night Market (The Shops at Dos Lagos)	MadeLocalMarket.org
Nov 13 to 15	Santa Ana	West Coast Gem & Mineral Show	MineralShowslld.com
Nov 14	Del Mar	Uncorked Derby Days	dmtc.com
Nov 15	Huntington Beach	St. Martin Day Lantern Parade	events.oldworldhb.com
Nov 18 to 22	Hollywood	LA Skins Fest	laskinsfest.com
Nov 20 to 29	Los Angeles	LA Auto Show	LAAutoShow.com
Nov 20 to Jan 10, 2027	Los Angeles	L.A. Zoo Lights	LAZoo.org
Nov 20 to Jan 3, 2027	Encinitas	Lightscape	sdbg.org
Nov 20 to Dec 20	Laguna Beach	Sawdust Winter Fantasy	sawdustartfestival.org
Nov 21 to Jan 3, 2027	Riverside	Mission Inn Festival of Lights	MissionInn.com
Nov 21 to 22	Long Beach	Aquarium of the Pacific: Autumn Festival	aquariumofpacific.org
Nov 22	Encinitas	Holiday Street Fair	encinitas101.com
Nov 22 to Jan 9, 2027	La Cañada Flintridge	Enchanted: Forest of Light	DescansoGardens.com
Nov 27	San Juan Capistrano	Christmas Tree Season Opening Day	farmakisfarms.com
Nov 27 to 28	Ventura	Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix	VenturaRaceway.com
Dec 5	Oxnard	Tamale Festival	VenturaCountyCoast.com

Events come from the Fidelity National Title flyer, and dates were checked against each event’s official website on November 1, 2026. Times, tickets and details can change, so check each event’s website before you go.

FAQ

What are the best things to do in Southern California this November?
November 2026 is packed. There’s San Diego Fleet Week (Nov 1 to 15), Palm Springs Pride (Nov 5 to 8), the Victoria Gardens tree lighting in Rancho Cucamonga (Nov 6), the Orange County Wine Fest (Nov 7 to 8), the Temecula De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Festival (Nov 8), the Corona Lakeside Night Market (Nov 13), the LA Auto Show (Nov 20 to 29), and holiday lights that open mid-to-late November.

Where can I see holiday lights near Riverside?
The Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights runs November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Farther out, there’s L.A. Zoo Lights (Nov 20 to Jan 10, 2027) and Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens (Nov 22 to Jan 9, 2027).

What are some fall events near Rancho Cucamonga?
Close to home, you can catch Santa’s arrival and the tree lighting at Victoria Gardens (Fri, Nov 6 at 7 PM), go apple picking at Riley’s Farm in Oak Glen while the apples last, check out Big Bear Oktoberfest’s final dates (Nov 7 to 8 and Nov 14) or the Corona Lakeside Night Market (Nov 13), or head to Temecula wine country for the Harvest Festival (Nov 8).

Where can I go apple picking in the Inland Empire?
Oak Glen is the Inland Empire’s apple country. Riley’s Farm offers U-pick apples this fall while they last; check Riley’s Farm’s U-Pick page for what’s ready before you go.

Is there a printable list?
Yes. Download the PDF, or comment “FALL” on any of my posts and I’ll send it to you.

Share it with your clients

This makes an easy, useful thing to send clients and your sphere this season. If you’re an agent and want a copy to share, or you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Inland Empire, reach out to Ryan J. Orr, VP at Fidelity National Title in Rancho Cucamonga, at TeamTitleGuy.com.

Quick answer: In California, the law says nothing about ghosts, so a seller does not have to disclose that a house is “haunted.” What California does require is disclosure of an occupant’s death on the property within the last three years. And if a buyer asks directly, the seller and listing agent cannot lie about any death on the property, no matter how long ago it happened. When in doubt, ask questions and check with your agent or attorney.

Happy Halloween from Team Title Guy! Every October, the same spooky question floats through open houses: are sellers and agents required to tell you if a property is haunted? The answer mixes folklore, state law and one famous New York court case. Grab a pumpkin spice latte and let’s dig in.

Do you have to disclose a haunted house in California?

No. California law has no direct mention of paranormal activity when it comes to selling a house. There is no box on the disclosure forms for “friendly ghost in the attic.”

That said, California does care about the history of a home. Under California Civil Code Section 1710.2, a death on the property that happened more than three years before the buyer’s offer is not treated as a material fact that must be disclosed. The flip side, as the California Association of REALTORS® explains in its guide to disclosing a death on a property, is that sellers must disclose an occupant’s death on the property if it happened within the past three years.

There is one big exception: a seller or agent does not have to disclose that a past occupant was living with HIV or died from AIDS-related complications, a rule meant to protect against stigma and discrimination. So the ghost stories can stay off the paperwork, but a recent death cannot.

What if a buyer asks about deaths on the property?

This is the part a lot of people miss. Section 1710.2 does not protect a seller or agent who makes an intentional misrepresentation in response to a direct question about deaths on the property. According to the California Association of REALTORS®, if a buyer asks directly, the seller or listing agent must answer honestly about any deaths that have occurred on the property, no matter how long ago.

In other words, the three-year rule is about what has to be volunteered. Once a buyer asks, honesty is the only policy. If the history of a home matters to you, ask the question out loud and in writing.

Which states mention ghosts in their disclosure laws?

Disclosure laws differ from state to state. Most states focus on a home’s condition or “physical defects,” like black mold or a leaky roof. Some states also deal with “stigmatized” properties, homes that may be less desirable because of events like a death, a crime or a belief that the house is haunted.

According to a Zillow state-by-state analysis reported by NBC New York, only four states specifically address paranormal activity in their real estate disclosure rules: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Minnesota. They do not all point the same direction:

• Massachusetts says the fact or suspicion that a home was the site of an “alleged parapsychological or supernatural phenomenon” is not a material fact that must be disclosed, though no one may make a false statement.
• Minnesota says there is no duty to disclose that a home was the site of “perceived paranormal activity.”
• New Jersey real estate rules list a home “purportedly being haunted” as a psychological impairment, and if a buyer asks, the real estate licensee must share what they know.
• New York gets its rule from a famous court case, which brings us to the Ghostbusters ruling.

What was the “Ghostbusters” case?

In Stambovsky v. Ackley (1991), a New York appeals court let a buyer out of his contract on a Victorian home in Nyack, New York. The seller had told Reader’s Digest and the local press that the house was haunted by poltergeists, and the home was even featured on a walking tour as “a riverfront Victorian (with ghost).” The buyer, a New York City resident who did not know the local folklore, learned about the reputation only after signing.

The court ruled that because the seller had publicized the hauntings herself, she was barred from denying them, and “as a matter of law, the house is haunted.” The buyer was allowed to seek rescission of the contract and the return of his $32,500 down payment. The judge even quoted the Ghostbusters theme: “Who you gonna’ call?”

The court also noted the limits. The seller’s real estate broker had no duty to disclose the home’s ghostly reputation, and New York still generally follows the rule of caveat emptor.

So what does “caveat emptor” mean for buyers?

Caveat emptor is Latin for “let the buyer beware.” Most states follow some version of it, which means buyers are largely on their own to investigate a home before they buy. The best protection is simple: read every disclosure, do your inspections, and ask your agent and the seller plenty of questions. Sellers and agents cannot lie to you when you ask.

This post is for fun and general education only and is not legal advice. Disclosure rules change and every situation is different, so check with your real estate agent or a real estate attorney about your specific property.

Questions? Call your Title Guy

Whether your dream home comes with creaky stairs or a resident spirit, I am happy to help you and your clients get to the closing table without any scary surprises. I’m Ryan J. Orr, VP with Fidelity National Title in Rancho Cucamonga. Call or text me at 909-447-9266 or send me a message anytime.

And tell me: would you buy a haunted house?