When your single family home goes on the sale market and interested buyers are starting to schedule times to see it, you want the interior and exterior of the residence to look their best. One way that you can make these areas stand out is with flowers and plants, which can instantly add a warm and inviting feel to your home. While a vase of freshly cut flowers on the dining room table can often be beneficial, there are several considerations to keep in mind before you take this step. Here are some dos and don'ts about using flowers and plants when your home is for sale.

Do Use Plants Whenever Possible

Plants often provide better value than freshly cut flowers. While the latter may have more of an impact, it can be expensive to provide fresh flowers each time someone makes an appointment to view your home. The shelf life of fresh flowers is often short, whereas a plant can last for months or even for years. If you can find a plant that has some visual appeal—perhaps a poinsettia around the holidays or something harvest related during the fall—it can often be a better approach than using freshly cut flowers.

Do Opt for Sparsely Scented Flowers

If you're insistent on using freshly cut flowers, you might gravitate toward those that offer a pleasant fragrance. Keep in mind, however, that what you enjoy might not be what others enjoy. Those who have allergies and scent sensitivities may have trouble being in the same room as fragrant flowers, which could turn some buyers away. If you're using flowers, find those that don't have a potent smell.

Don't Let Your Flowers or Plants Die

Dried up flowers or plants in your home send a subtle message that you aren't on top of things, which could make some vigilant buyers concerned that there may be other maintenance issues around the house. Keep your flowers and plants watered and trimmed, removing dead blooms or leaves and throwing them out entirely when they no longer add value to the room.

Don't Use Fake Flowers

While there's perhaps a place for fake flowers as decorations, they're not something that you want to use when you're selling your home. Fake flowers can often look extremely cheap, and this can be distracting. Unless you've found high-end artificial flowers that look extremely realistic, this approach is best for you to avoid.