How to Decorate Your House for Halloween if You’re Selling
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Brooke Niemeyer Contributing AuthorClose
Brooke Niemeyer Contributing AuthorBrooke Niemeyer is the Partnerships Manager at PolicyGenius. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism from New York University and her work is featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, TIME, The Huffington Post, MSN, FOX Business, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance and other publications.
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Taryn Tacher Senior EditorClose
Taryn Tacher Senior EditorTaryn Tacher is the senior editorial operations manager and senior editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. With eight years of editorial and operations experience, she previously managed editorial operations at Contently and content partnerships at Conde Nast. Taryn holds a bachelor's from the University of Florida College of Journalism, and she's written for GQ, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and Variety.
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As autumn leaves begin to fall to the ground, neighborhoods across the country come alive with the glow of jack-o-lanterns in anticipation of Halloween. For homeowners looking to sell during this spirited season, striking the right balance between festive decor and timeless appeal can be a challenge.
While some embrace the spooky season wholeheartedly, an overenthusiastic haunted house vibe might give potential buyers more chills than thrills. On the other hand, a subtle nod to the holiday can create a warm and memorable experience.
Thinking about selling your home around Halloween?
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Follow these tips from real estate professionals to help you decorate without scaring off someone looking to buy your home.
1. Stick to decorating the outdoors
“Too much ghoulish distraction indoors will make the buyers feel as if they are touring a haunted home rather than a home for sale,” says David Meek, a top Scottsdale, Arizona Realtor® with more than 20 years of experience.
…But don’t go overboard
Whatever you put outside, make sure it isn’t too scary, as you want your home to look appealing, not frightening.
“I would focus on making it more seasonal-based by sticking to a lot of pumpkins, cornstalks, gourds, etc.,” recommends Kevin Lawton, a top Realtor in Bordentown, New Jersey. “You don’t want the decorations to detract from features of the house.”
And if you go with pumpkins, it’s a good idea to go with faux, so they don’t rot, smell or attract critters.
Bonus tip when thinking about outdoor Halloween decorations: “Avoid being the guy on the block with the inflatable yard decor because it will eclipse your yard sign,” says Meek.
2. Inside isn’t entirely off limits
You won’t want to decorate heavily indoors, but candles and soaps in Halloween-inspired scents and colors can be welcome additions to the kitchen and bathrooms.
Place soaps in a small basket on the counter and candles on the mantel, shelves and countertops. You can also simply add candy corn to a clear vase or dish, which you can place on a shelf or table for a festive touch.
However, if your home doesn’t have a ton of counter space, you’ll want to avoid an abundance of decor that will clutter the space.
3. Keep safety in mind
If you’re putting pumpkins or other decorations outside, be sure to avoid lining your outside steps or pathway with them; you want to keep potential buyers safe when coming and going. Instead, place your decor off to the side on your porch or front yard where no one will accidentally trip.
Note: It never hurts to check up on your homeowners insurance policy when you’re selling your home. Your insurance agent can tell you what sort of coverage you have in case someone gets hurt on your property, so you are aware if the worst happens.
4. Take listing photos before decorating
Hopefully your home gets taken off the market quickly, but just in case, it’s wise to have timeless photos of your home from before you added seasonal decorations. After all, “you don’t want to be on the market in January with Halloween decor in your photos,” Meek says.
5. Don’t forget to clean up after Halloween
Once Halloween has come and gone, take down any decorations that were holiday-specific. Lingering decorations can give the impression of neglect, suggesting to potential buyers that other aspects of home maintenance might also have been overlooked. Outdated decor can also distract buyers from seeing the true potential of your home. By transitioning back to a neutral and inviting environment, you’ll be able to emphasize the home’s best features rather than its seasonal adornments.
Setting the stage for a successful Halloween sale
If you’re planning to sell your home during the Halloween season, you’ll want to ensure your home’s decor remains enticing to prospective buyers. While reveling in the festive spirit, always remember that the objective is to charm, not alarm. By leveraging these expert tips, you’ll create a captivating setting that attracts the right buyer for your home.
Brooke Niemeyer, Director of Media Relations at PolicyGenius contributed to the original version of this post.
Header Image Source: (Haveseen / Shutterstock)
