When there’s a holiday season afoot, theming your open houses to the time of year is more than welcome. It helps put prospective buyers in the spirit and shows off how your home looks at its most festive, which could potentially enchant a new owner. As Halloween nears, you should definitely let the colors and sights of the season flavor your presentation. But follow a few simple rules, since one person’s treat is another’s unwanted trick.
Keep it cute, not scary.
Appropriate Halloween decor says “boo!,” not a blood-curdling scream from the grave. Good ideas for Halloween open house decor are pumpkins, carved or whole; harvest-scented candles; orange twinkle lights; and maybe a table runner embroidered with falling leaves. Keep it simple, keep it classy. Things to avoid: Grim Reaper busts that could horrify young kids, fake blood splatter on the windows, or decorations that move suddenly and make startling noises. You want to attract buyers, not scare them to death. Another adorable touch: adding a “not haunted” label to your open house sign.
Keep the kids happy.
You can proverbially kill two birds with one stone by setting up little party games and treat stations for kids visiting your Halloween open house. Not only will antsy kids stay content, but parents will be touched by your consideration. Also, if the little ones are playing games or are munching on a snack, the adults are likely to linger longer in the house. Safe indoor games that have wide appeal include ring-toss, jack-o-lantern corn hole, and/or a scavenger hunt that will promote the whole family moving through the house. Treats should be healthy, because some parents don’t approve of candy. Even if they do, Halloween is so close that the kids will have plenty of it soon.
Snacks aren’t just for kids.
Capture the spirit of the season and up your “fall fantasy” element by preparing treats for your visitors that are autumnal in nature. Create an apple cider station, carve little jack-o-lanterns out of bell peppers and stuff them with veggie bites, and bake homemade pumpkin bread and/or sugar cookies shaped like cats or witch hats. Do this last task close to the start of the open house, so that the homey smell of baking can permeate your home. And, of course, any time there are sweet snacks, a coffee station is an appreciated extra touch that shows you care.
If you're selling your Northern Virginia home this time a year, a Halloween-themed open house is actually a great way to engage prospective buyers.
