The Trendy Holiday Decorations That Could Harm Your Home Value (And Cause Drama With The HOA)

The arrival of Halloween brings a variety of decorations to your neighborhood, but not every piece of decor will be well-received. The holiday decor trend of inflatables of ghosts, witches, and Halloween versions of beloved characters may be cute, but they can also harm your property value. These outdoor Halloween decor options can be a serious blow to your curb appeal – and downright scary to your bottom line. They can ward off would-be home buyers as they pull focus away from your home's unique features. Instead of noticing your home's elaborate front door with stained glass, they might pay attention to the giant inflatable spider or Bluey character blocking it. Even if you aren't selling, your yard décor could still come under strict scrutiny from your HOA.

Inflatable decorations aren't new, though it might seem that way as they now populate yards across your city. They first popped (pun intended) onto the scene in 2001, with the debut of Christmas inflatables by Gemmy Industries. The brand — known for its kitschy Big Mouth Billy Bass singing wall plaque — began its foray into inflatables. Soon, the trend took off, thanks to Gemmy Industries selling in Home Depot and other big-box stores. Today, the company has numerous licensing deals, and you're likely to see a house in your neighborhood with at least one of their inflatables, if not the entire Peanuts cast. But real estate agents caution homeowners not to go overboard with inflatable decor, or they might deflate their home value at sale time.

Realtors have warned home sellers to avoid overdecorating for the holidays for years, citing a need for inclusivity, as not everyone celebrates the same holidays. Others may simply dislike over-the-top decorations, risking further alienation. In addition to distracting buyers, the sight of these large inflatables might also affect their ability to imagine themselves in your home. When they should be picturing what welcome mat they'll put out or how their children will swing on the porch, all they see is a giant inflatable Mickey Mouse looming over the lawn, which doesn't make the best impression.

It's not just buyers who may take issue with your inflatable crew. If you live within an HOA, you also risk drawing the board's ire. As an HOA homeowner, you must abide by the community's CC&Rs – Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions — which outline property use guidelines. CC&Rs often outline the appearance expected from their members, especially in regards to maintenance and personal decor. These documents help maintain a "uniform" community appearance through landscaping, décor, lighting, and other home elements. Homes with large inflatable yard witches or Minions will quickly break that uniformity. HOAs will therefore limit outdoor decoration size and even outright ban holiday lawn inflatables, even if you keep them fresh and clean. This holiday season, if you live in an HOA or you're looking to sell your home, maybe stick with a simple decorative wreath and leave the inflatable Snoopy safe in the garage.