3 in 10 Real Estate Professionals Say Trump Signs Are Driving Away Buyers

Written by: StorageUnits.com Editorial Team - Published: January 14, 2024

 

In January 2025, StorageUnits.com surveyed 600 real estate professionals to learn about the impact of politically charged yard signage and out-of-season decor in neighborhoods on home values.

 

Our core insights:

  • 45% of real estate agents say political yard signage that goes against an area’s political leanings can be detrimental to home value
  • 37% say buyers are less likely to purchase homes in neighborhoods that display political yard signage 
  • 3 in 10 real estate professionals have had buyers express concern over Trump signs
  • 4 in 10 say out-of-season decorations lower saleability 

4 in 10 Real Estate Professionals Say Political Signage Opposing Local Views Can Be Detrimental to Home Value

In general, 6% of real estate professionals believe political yard signage significantly lowers property value, while 26% think it somewhat lowers value. Only 5% believe this type of signage positively impacts value, while a majority (57%) feel it has no impact. An additional 8% are unsure of the potential effect.

However, political yard signage that goes against an area’s political tendencies is more likely to negatively impact home value. In fact, 45% of real estate professionals say such signage is very (10%) or somewhat detrimental (35%) to property value.

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In their experience, 7% of real estate professionals say it is very likely that a buyer will lose interest in a property due to political yard signage in neighboring yards, while 30% say it’s somewhat likely.

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“Neighborhood yard signs, like political or social movement signs, can affect property values, especially in higher-priced areas,” says Pete Evering from Utopia Management. “Buyers in these neighborhoods often care about appearances and community feel. Signs that go against the area’s usual political views can make the neighborhood seem divided, which might turn some buyers away. In lower-priced neighborhoods, buyers are more focused on affordability and the condition of the home, so yard signs don’t matter as much.”

3 in 10 real estate professionals have had buyers express concern over Trump signs

Nearly four in ten (38%) real estate professionals say they’ve experienced at least one buyer expressing concerns about presidential election signage. More specifically, 29% say clients have expressed concerns about Trump yard signs, 16% about Harris signs, and 14% about Biden signs. 

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Additionally, 32% noted they’ve had buyers reveal concerns related to social movement signage, such as “Blue Lives Matter” or “Black Lives Matter” signs. Concerns about local election signage were reported by 15% of real estate professionals.

Real estate professionals note that buyers across generations can be turned off by political yard signage, with Boomers slightly more likely to express concerns, followed by Gen Zers. Buyers also tend to be very (12%) or somewhat (32%) concerned about politically or socially charged yard signs that are outdated, such as those displayed after an election has passed.

“Yard signs can influence how buyers feel about a neighborhood. If they match the community vibe, buyers might not think twice. But if they clash, it’s a different story,” says Levi Rodgers, Co-Founder at VA Loan Network. “I once worked with a family who loved a home but the street had a ton of signs that went against their values. It wasn’t the house they questioned—it was the neighbors. In the end, they walked away, even though the home itself was perfect for them.”

4 in 10 Say Out-of-Season Decorations Turn Off Buyers

More than four in ten (41%) real estate professionals believe out-of-season decorations in neighboring yards significantly (5%) or somewhat (36%) lower a property’s saleability. In fact, 41% have had buyers express concerns about outdated Christmas decorations, while 27% report concerns about Halloween decorations lingering past the season.

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To address these issues, 11% of real estate professionals recommend sellers ask neighbors to remove decorations to improve curb appeal. Additionally, 2% say they always, and 5% often, take it upon themselves to ask neighbors to make these changes.

“Out-of-season decorations are an underrated issue. They make a neighborhood feel neglected. I remember staging a home in March where the neighbors still had holiday reindeer tangled in their yard. It made the street feel sloppy, and buyers immediately noticed. I ended up chatting with the homeowners, and they got the neighbors to clean it up. The home sold a week later,” shares Rodgers. 

This report is based on data from a survey commissioned by StorageUnits.com and conducted online via Pollfish from December 31, 2024 to January 5, 2025. The survey included 600 U.S. real estate professionals.