While spring and summer are known to be peak seasons for home selling, most people don’t realize fall is a great time to list your home too. The weather outside is cooling down but the real estate market is hot!
If you are ready to move this fall, there are a few things that will make the most out of selling your home this season:
- Cool weather: Cooler weather and upcoming holidays motivate serious buyers to move quickly.
- Staging is key: Take advantage of the cozy seasonal atmosphere to make your home feel welcoming and inviting.
- Weeknight showings: Make the most of early fall when it’s typically still light enough for weeknight showings in addition to weekend open houses.
PREPARING TO SELL
Every season brings with it challenges to overcome if you’re preparing to sell your home.
In autumn, inclement weather and falling leaves can make it harder to uphold curb appeal but getting your home open-house ready will go a long way when it comes to getting reasonable offers from buyers.
The following are a few areas you can focus on to get that sale.
REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
Cooler weather tends to bring flaws in your home to the surface which can give your potential buyers buying leverage to negotiate down your price.
Make sure you’ve thoroughly inspected and repaired any red flags such as:
- Water damage, roofing issues, HVAC systems, etc.
- Drafts are more noticeable, so it’s important to double-check insulation around all windows and doors.
- Dust accumulates quicker than in summer. Cobwebs may be great for Halloween but have no place in your staged home.
- Touch up paint and caulking, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where buyers will be looking more closely.
- Replace your air filters before you turn on your heating system.
- New furnace filters will ensure you aren’t pushing a stale smell or dust throughout your home.
CURB APPEAL
You won’t be able to rely on flowers and sunshine to make your home look inviting, but you can still bump up your curb appeal and keep your house looking tidy and warm.
Keep up on all basic yard work
To increase your chances of a sale, make sure to mow the lawn, rake up leaves, and even add some coloured mulch for a ‘pop’ of colour.
With more debris falling each day, it is important to sweep walkways before every tour to ensure the best showing.
You will also want to add a doormat for wet shoes.
Lean into the fall aesthetic
Stage the front of your home with a cozy fall wreath and matching accent pieces. You can even plant fall flowers like chrysanthemums or marigolds, or use potted versions to line your porch-ways.
Keep to classy autumn themes and stay away from Halloween and gimmicky decorations that won’t speak to everyone.
QUICK STAGING TIPS
- Deep clean the house for a fresh look which will also allow you to streamline tasks for a quick closing.
- Shorter days mean less evening light so brighten up your home with additional lamps and brighter bulbs.
- Play up the coziness factor. If you have a fireplace, turn it on to add warmth and light.
- Add tasteful seasonal accents like throw pillows and unlit candles.
- Offer fall treats like hot apple cider or pumpkin muffins. They will make the house smell delicious and make your open house or showing stand out.
Read Staging Tips For Selling Your Home During Spring & Autumn
BE PREPARED WHEN THE TIME COMES TO SELL
Selling your home this time of year is all about being prepared. You want to be organized and being able to capitalize on opportunities then they come your way. The more you can do in the beginning, the easier the selling process will be.
WORK QUICKLY
Winter brings with it significantly more challenges when it comes to selling your home so once you have decided to list it, you need to move quickly to get your home on the market fast.
Late September through October are much easier times to sell than December and January. Through December and January is when bad weather and holiday closures limit the availability of buyers, agents, lenders, and attorneys.
TAKE PICTURES RIGHT AWAY
The earlier in the fall your pictures are taken, the better the natural light will be, and the nicer your outdoor space will look.
If you know you’re going to be listing your home, it’s never too early to call your real estate agent to get their help with taking pictures.
Your agent will send out a photographer on a day with beautiful weather and take great pictures of your home in advance. This way, when the for sale sign goes up, your photo marketing looks great and ready to go.
Read Tips For Getting Perfect Pictures & Videos For Home Staging
FIND UNIQUE SELLING FEATURES
Take the time to figure out what makes your house unique. Is there something special about your neighbourhood? Are there features in your home that you can highlight? Is your location good for commuters or close to specific amenities?
Try to put together an initial list of 10 things that make your house unique. You’ll be surprised at what you find and you can use that information as major selling points.
WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL THAT KNOWS THE AREA
Selling your home is considerably easier when you partner with an agent that has experience in your geographical area. An agent that knows your community well and has experience selling homes there, will be equipped with important information that can help increase the likelihood of a sale.
It’s the agent’s job to know the ins and outs of the housing market in every season so leaning on their knowledge will help you capitalize on your assets and not get overwhelmed with seasonal challenges.
SPEAK WITH AN AGENT
If you live in the Brantford area and you are looking to sell your home this fall, work with The Kate Broddick Team to see why we’ve been chosen Brantford’s #1 REALTORS® since 2015.
