Some real estate pros are prepping their “spooktacular”-themed open houses to attract potential buyers this month. Here are a few tips if you decide to follow the Halloween vibe:

Don’t go all “goth” when decorating: Keep the themed decor simple and especially tasteful. No tombstones and graveyards or skeletons on the front stoop to frighten buyers away. April Struhs, a real estate pro with Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. in Key Largo, Fla., told realtor.com® that she suggests a couple of pumpkin spice candles for the right scent. Some good decorations to include are pumpkins, wreaths, Halloween throw pillows, and orange twinkle lights.

Have some fun: Plan kid activities for the open house, such as a pumpkin corn-hole or ring toss. Or follow Valerie Burmester, a real estate pro in Seattle, who puts on a mini-scavenger hunt. “While the parents look around, the kids will be on the lookout for those painted pumpkins, fall pillows, photos of a pet in a costume in the bedroom,” Burmester says. “It will be well worth the effort, because both parents and kids can get in on the games while still looking at the home.” Another fun touch, according to Jon Tetrault, a real estate pro with Nick Slocum Team in Warwick, R.I., recommends writing “Not Haunted” on the For Sale sign.

Offer snacks: Halloween is all about the treats. “Fall-themed cookies, homemade pumpkin bread, and apple cider all give a home warmth,” Burmester told realtor.com®. “And they’re delicious for adults and kids.”

Read more tips for hosting a Halloween-themed open house at realtor.com®

Nothing ruins a bathroom like a bad hue, and the gray trend may be one of the worst offenders, designers say.

“Bathrooms tend to be enclosed spaces, so greige-y muddy colors can make the space feel smaller and dingy,” Ariel Okin, an interior designer in New York City, told Apartment Therapy. “Lighter colors like bright crisp whites, powder blues, and spring greens always play really well in a bathroom, as do moodier shades such as inky navy and hunter green.”

A “gold beige” is a color that design consultant Kelly Bernier told Apartment Therapy she avoids as a bathroom color. “It’s not a current color, doesn’t work with any recent tile, and will make your room look dated,” she says. “Greige” is a range of colors combining grey and beige; some tones are warmer and some are cooler.

On the other hand, bright and neutral paints—like blues and whites—work great in bathrooms when paired with textures and color in the finishes, Sara Raak, a lifestyle and product stylist, told Apartment Therapy.

Neighborhoods located within a half-mile of public transit services outperformed those farther from public transit based on a number of factors, according to a report released Monday by the National Association of REALTORS® and the American Public Transportation Association.

The report shows commercial and residential real estate market sales thrive when residents have mobility options. Residential properties within these areas had 4% to 24% higher median sale prices between 2012 and 2016, the report found. Commercial values in four of the regions saw median sales prices per square foot increase between 5% and 42%. Transit-oriented areas also provide costs savings for residents: The report showed an average annual savings of $2,500 to $4,400 in transportation costs for the typical household. One in four households in close proximity to transit doesn’t own a vehicle, according to the study.

“Access to public transportation is an extremely valuable community amenity that increases the functionality and attractiveness of neighborhoods, making nearby communities more desirable places to live, work, and raise a family,” said NAR 2019 First Vice President Charlie Oppler. He spoke at a joint press conference Monday alongside New York State Association of REALTORS® President Moses Seuram and Paul P. Skoutelas, president and CEO of APTA, which represents public and private sector transportation entities.

“The results of our report, conducted over multiple years alongside the American Public Transportation Association, should reiterate to policymakers at all levels of government the importance of investing in modern, efficient infrastructure that facilitates growth and helps our nation keep pace in a rapidly evolving world,” Oppler said.

The study, titled “The Real Estate Mantra – Locate Near Public Transportation,” explored seven metropolitan regions that provide access to heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit: Boston; Hartford, Conn.; Los Angeles; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; Phoenix; Seattle; and Eugene, Ore. The seven sample areas were examined by residential and commercial sales performance, rent, neighborhood characteristics, local government interventions, and housing affordability.

“Public transportation is a valuable investment in our communities, our businesses, and our country,” Skoutelas said, not just because it helps residents get to work and school but also because it makes areas more attractive for relocating companies.

But high demand and constrained supply have put upward pressure on neighborhoods with high-frequency public transportation. NAR has made it a priority to address affordability and supply issues, and Skoutelas said APTA is a partner in that effort. “As the conversation surrounding housing affordability continues,” Skoutelas said, “public transportation agencies are critical allies in working with elected officials and community leaders in the effort to increase housing opportunities and maximize value around stations.”

Warm weather and low taxes continue to have a big pull on where retirees choose to settle down in their golden years. Those pulls are prompting many older Americans to continue to relocate to popular retiree havens in the Carolinas and Florida.

U.S. News & World Report recently identified the best places to retire using criteria including housing affordability, taxes, health care, and happiness surveys. They analyzed data from 125 of the nation’s largest metro areas.

“Deciding where to retire is an important part of your life plan,” Emily Brandon, a senior editor for retirement at U.S. News, said in a statement. “When considering potential retirement spots, you should look for an affordable cost of living, proximity to health care services, and a strong economy, especially if you plan to work part-time.”

Some popular retiree spots in Florida continued to top U.S. News’ rankings but also other places like Lancaster, Pa., and Asheville, N.C., made it into the top five this year.

Here are the 10 best destinations for retirees according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 rankings:

1. Fort Myers, Fla.
Median home price: $219,200

2. Sarasota, Fla.
Median home price: $237,260

3. Lancaster, Pa.
Median home price: $196,025

4. Asheville, N.C.
Median home price: $248,500

5. Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Median home price: $211,083

6. Jacksonville,Fla.
Median home price: $174,658

7. Winston-Salem, N.C.
Median home price: $145,725

8. Nashville, Tenn.
Median home price: $248,883

9. Grand Rapids, Mich.
Median home price: $181,533

10. Dallas-Fort Worth
Median home price: $248,375