Halloween is here

Halloween is upon us!

Halloween, once a holiday to ward off evil, then a massive candy grab has become the harbinger of the true holiday season. Houston celebrates Halloween with various Fall Festivals and trunk or treats. The Houston Zoo celebrates the Zoo Boo Friday, Saturday and Sunday leading up to Halloween.

Halloween falls on a Monday this year which may stem the flow of Trick or Treaters. There a few new considerations to take in with trick or treaters. Remember to keep your porch light off if you don’t want ghosts and goblins calling. Some factions recommend offering non-food items so children with allergies can participate; you can show your support of this movement by placing a teal colored pumpkin in your yard.  For children with sensory issues, keep lighting dim, steady and tranquil, play soft mood setting music and sit outside so they don’t have approach the door to ring the door bell. Some children appreciate adults kneeling (not stooping or bending) to offer candy or treats.

Halloween does seem to have some impact on the economy but experts have a hard time pinpointing exactly why according to Investopedia.com. The overall shape of the economy does seem to dictate how much consumers will spend on costumes, candy and décor to celebrate but numbers on how much sales from these items boost the economy are scarce. Experts do agree that if you are trying to sell your home during this season, excessive decorations, inside or out, might make selling harder. Realtor.com says traditional Autumnal décor can be helpful when staging a house but gives guidelines for avoiding gory or gruesome imagery and over decorated lawns.

What about selling a haunted house? About 3% of homes in America fall under the category of “stigmatized” homes. Some states require the seller to disclose past events – such as murders, violent crimes or suspected hauntings – associated with properties so check with a Real Estate agent to find out your local laws. Some suggestions on selling a stigmatized property can be found at hgtv.com including dispelling rumors that maybe circulating about the property, having the house healed or blessed and changing the address so it is no longer associated with the event.