A lot of this will be determined on how your props are set up and placed in your preview. But to do a fade on from one prop to the next, say the front of the house from left to right, set up the props and group them together and put the effect in the group line.
Use the Curtain Effect
Edge- Right
Movement- Close
Speed- you decide
If you want to start with one color and have it fade to another
In the Color Mode check the "Start/End Colors"
For one color change just use the first box (Red) and determine which 2 colors to use.
If you're wanting to fade to/from specific props, just use the Colorwash and fade up on each prop. Again if you want to change colors, use the Color Mode section again. If you're looking to fade/chase each pixel on the strand use the Curtain Effect the same way.
Hopefully this helps answer your question.