Create a Cozy and Memorable Fall Open House
What’s not to like about fall? The cooling temperatures bring relief from the summer heat. The changing fall leaves and the return of the pumpkin spice latte signal the holidays are coming. Why not use the festive fall feelings at your next open house?
Apply these 7 FESTIVE FALL OPEN HOUSE TIPS to tap into the fall atmosphere and seasonal nostalgia to make a memorable impression this season!
Select a Seasonal Theme
Applying holiday-themed staging for an open house can help a home sell. Fall provides ample options for your open house decorating. Not only do you have the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays, but it coincides with the start of football season and the annual harvest. Families enjoy annual visits to apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes at farm festivals.
For this reason, decorating for a fall open house can go in many different directions. Create the right atmosphere by selecting a seasonally appropriate theme that creates a cozy fall feeling. Think pumpkins, fall foliage, sunflowers, or farmhouse harvest. Avoid any frightening or grotesque displays that can be associated with Halloween.
Spice up the Curb Appeal
A festive fall open house starts with the right curb appeal. If appropriate and space allows, add an arrangement of fall flowers near the entrance like colorful mums. Place a fall-themed doormat at the entrance and to really set the tone with style the second interested buyers walk up to the front door is to have a festive fall wreath on the front door
Are you hosting an open house later in the day? Remember, the days are growing shorter and you want to be sure your home is well lit and inviting. Temporary spotlights or porch lights add to the impression and enhance safety as visitors come to the door.
Tend to the Landscaping
The crimson and golden leaves floating through the air add to the magic of the fall season. But, let’s face it–yards can get a little messy as the trees drop their leaves.
Keep plants trimmed and yards neat and tidy. Ensure the homeowners stay on top of any leaves in the yard to give the impression that yard maintenance is not a problem.
As we change seasons, the pops of colors from spring and summer flowers fade. Freshen the landscaping with fall-friendly plants and flower displays like mums and marigolds.
Add Autumn Décor
Typically we follow the adage “less is more.” However, at the right time of year, accenting the season can benefit the home sale by evoking the feelings that accompany that time of year. Fall evokes positive emotions, from the cheerful and warm colors to the family-friendly events.
When staging for a fall open house, little pops of seasonal decoration help create a pleasant and welcoming feeling inside the home. Add small touches of seasonal decor, like a fall display over the mantle place or an autumnal centerpiece on the dining room table.
Look around to find opportunities to decorate with autumn elegance. The colder and darker days of fall invite more candles and the subtle smell of apple, cinnamon, vanilla, or pumpkin pie spice. Set a fall-inspired bouquet of sunflowers on the table. Arrange fall-inspired table settings. Place appropriately themed messages and decor on shelves.
These small touches invite feelings of warmth and comfort that you want to impart at an open house.
Create that Warm & Cozy Feeling
Open house visitors may be going in and out of multiple houses during a day. On chilly days, you want them to come into the home and instantly feel comfortable. A subtle way to make spaces feel warmer and inviting is to bump the heat up a notch especially as we head into the colder winter months. It also subconsciously tells the buyers that the heating system works.
People love to linger near the fireplace. For homes with a fireplace, lighting a fire for the open house is another way of creating warmth in the home.
If a fire isn’t practical, use other techniques to call attention to this home feature. Place a festive fire screen in front or perhaps add some artificial candles to the firebox.
Serve Seasonal Refreshments
Refreshments invite people to linger at an open house. Plus, offering some helps initiate conversations with visitors. For a fall open house, go seasonal with the refreshment choices. Instead of chocolate chip cookies, try ginger snap or oatmeal. Offer pumpkin muffins or small apple tarts.
Refreshments invite people to linger at an open house. Plus, offering some helps initiate conversations with visitors. For a fall open house, go seasonal with the refreshment choices. Instead of chocolate chip cookies, try ginger snap or oatmeal. Offer pumpkin muffins or small apple tarts.
Is the home near a place or event of note, like a farmer’s market or seasonal pick-your-own apple orchard? Instead of water or sodas, why not serve apple cider from a local farm? Leave a bowl of locally sourced apples on the table. Use your refreshments to promote the home and its surroundings.
Polish Windows
Chances are, the homeowners cleaned the windows in the spring and not since. Since twilight becomes earlier as we move through the fall season, it’s essential to bring in as much natural light as possible.
Chances are, the homeowners cleaned the windows in the spring and not since. Since twilight becomes earlier as we move through the fall season, it’s essential to bring in as much natural light as possible.
Make sure the windows are clean inside and out to leverage as much natural lighting as you can. Open the curtains for daytime open houses. Better yet, we recommend for fall home staging swapping heavy curtains and drapes for sheers as a way of allowing more light into the home.
Fall is an excellent time to sell a home. Autumn brings with it festive colors and nostalgia for family, perfect for evoking a sense of home at your open house. Use the best of the season to create an inviting and festive atmosphere that will win over buyers.
