A home can be sold at its optimum value in any season, including the fall. Sure, you’ll see more buyers come out to look in warmer weather, but people need to move year-round for all kinds of reasons. Maybe they had to wait until their home sold. Maybe a job transfer or the expansion of family brings them to the market. It’s easy to adapt your selling preparations so that your home is marketed most appropriately for the season. Here are some tips to help give you an advantage for fall selling.
Keep Your Home Warm
Buyers will be more likely to pay attention to your HVAC system and whether your windows are drafty. Ensure your HVAC system is in top working condition or consider replacing it if the time is near anyway. Change air filters and weather-stripping on doors and windows. If you have a fireplace, consider getting your chimney cleaned and inspected. And keep your thermostat at a warm temperature to ensure entering the home relieves chill and creates comfort. This isn’t the time to be frugal on the heating bill.
Curb Appeal Still Matters
You’re used to seeing blooms and greenery in curb appeal home shows. But what do you do when the leaves have fallen and the flowers are gone? Brown grass and a blanket of leaves don’t help with curb appeal. Keep the lawn raked and get rid of dead stems and branches from summer’s plants. You can still add color with mums, a hearty fall flower, as well as outside decorations. Add a colorful welcome mat, a few brightly colored empty pots, or porch chairs. Seasonal décor works well as long as it’s not overwhelming and distracting. And if you’re lucky enough to have clear pictures of the front of your home in full bloom and with freshly cut green grass, be sure to use them in the online listing so that buyers know the home’s full potential.
Create Inviting Warmth with Autumn Inspiration
Think pine cones, candles, and other fall accents to spruce up the best feelings of fall in your home. If the interior needs a new coat of paint to cover up years of overlooked scratches and wear, use neutral colors to help create warmth. The same advice on seasonal décor (Halloween, Thanksgiving) applies on the inside as it did for the outside. Keep it minimal so that it doesn’t distract from the features you want to show off.
Appeal to the Senses
The old baked cookie trick has been used for years in open houses. There are certain smells that make us feel at home and happy. To keep with fall traditions, try scents of pumpkin, peppermint, pine needles, or cinnamon. You can go as far as leaving a basket of pumpkin muffins and hot chocolate on the table for buyers on brisk days. Or play it more subtly with scented candles and holiday music.
List at the Right Price
Usually there are fewer homes on the market in the fall than in spring and summer. Right now (September 2017) we’re actually seeing a slight uptick after a long spell of low inventory. It’s best to stay competitive as more sellers show up for fall. If your asking price seems out of line, prime targets for your location might not even call up for a showing. Yes, price can scare away buyers if they believe it’s not worth it to negotiate more than a few thousand dollars. Make sure you work with your Realtor® on the best pricing. Your list price should compare to other similar homes that recently sold in your area.
Expect Serious Buyers
The warmer seasons are full of all types of buyers, including the “just looking” who aren’t ready to make a commitment. But in the fall, buyers tend to be the more serious and ready-to-make-a-deal kind. Trust that most of them know the market (another reason pricing is so critical). Be prepared for all kinds of questions about your home’s condition and offer up a list of improvements you’ve made while living there.