They bought a haunted house without knowing it

Derek Stonebarger didn’t believe in ghosts. Then he bought a fixer-upper in Beatty, NV, and, mid-renovation, spotted a stranger under his roof. After getting over his heebie-jeebies, Stonebarger and his wife realized their unexpected house-ghost could be good for business. Here’s how they’ve made the most of it as an Airbnb.

Q: Why did you buy a haunted house? “We actually bought the house without knowing it was haunted. It began strictly as an investment during the pandemic. My wife and I purchased it as a project to fix up while our other businesses were closed. It was only during the renovation that we saw our first ghost. As someone who didn’t believe in ghosts before I saw one, you can imagine how life-altering that is.”

Q: Tell me more about this ghost you met. “While we were remodeling, I saw a grizzly older man who looked like a miner standing near the kitchen and laundry room. He appeared to be polite and was just looking at me. I imagine this might have been his home originally. Our property is a historic miner’s cabin originally brought down from the nearby ghost town of Rhyolite around 1925. Beatty is actually experiencing a third ‘Gold Rush’ right now, with over 400 new miners moving into the area, so miner activity is a major part of the local atmosphere.”

Q: When you’ve told others about the ghost, how did they react? “I eventually met Zak Bagans from Ghost Adventures on the Discovery Channel and told him about my experience. I introduced him to our house, and he and his crew ended up staying overnight to do a paranormal investigation.”

Q: How has this property been as an investment? “It has been extremely profitable, and stays are booked constantly. The revenue far exceeds the mortgage required to acquire it.”

Q: Any advice for others who might end up with a haunted house? “Embrace the history and lean into it. It gives the property a unique identity that draws people in and keeps the calendar fully booked.”