Halloween, Arlington homeowners, home tips, curb appeal, Arlington VA, fall, community

Handing Out Candy on Halloween? A Quick Home Check for Arlington Homeowners

Turn on the porch light, clear the walkway, use battery candles in your pumpkins, tuck pets away, and sweep leaves off the steps. Twenty minutes gives you a welcoming front of the house.

How do I get my house ready for trick-or-treaters?

Turn on the porch light, clear the walkway, use battery candles in your pumpkins, tuck pets away, and sweep leaves off the steps. Twenty minutes gives you a welcoming front of the house.

Halloween is the one night the whole street walks up to your door. It is also a good test of how your front of the house looks. Here is a quick list.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

The five checks

1. Light the way. Turn on the porch light and any path lights. Replace burned-out bulbs now, not at dusk.

2. Clear the walkway. Sweep leaves, move hoses, and check loose bricks or uneven steps. Wet leaves are slippery.

3. Use battery candles. A flame inside a pumpkin on a porch can tip over. Battery lights glow just as well and are easier.

4. Plan for pets. Doorbells and costumes can upset dogs and cats. Keep pets in a quiet room, and keep the candy where they cannot reach it.

5. Keep the door area clear. Move bikes, planters, and extra decorations that crowd the steps.

Bonus for sellers

If your home is for sale, Halloween weekend can be a quiet time for showings, but buyers still drive by. A clean porch, a swept walk, and a lit door say the home is cared for. Fall decorations are fine. Keep them simple, and take them down soon after.

Bonus for buyers

Walk by a home you like in the evening. See how the light falls, how busy the street is, and how easy it is to park. A holiday evening shows a different side of a street.

On the night itself

• Check that your smoke alarms work.

• Bring in anything that could blow away.

• Take the candy bowl off the step when you are done.

FAQ

Are there official trick-or-treat hours?

We did not find county-wide hours. Ask your neighbors what your street does.

Should I put out decorations if I am selling?

Simple ones are fine. Skip anything that blocks the door or hides the house.

What if I live in a condo?

Ask your building about decorations and who is handing out candy in the lobby or on the floors.

Call or text The Mike Webb Teaam at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.