With fall just around the corner, many homeowners wonder if now is the right time to sell their home or if they should wait until spring.
While spring is always a hot season for real estate, fall can still be a good time to list your home for sale. It’s the second-best time of the year to sell a property. People are ready to purchase a home any given time of the year and for an owner selling off-peak could net more money as there’s less competition on the market.
Even if you miss the peak season, you can still sell your home and get top dollar during fall. Here are great tips to help you attract autumn buyers.
Clean Up
No matter the season, you want to have a well-positioned home that can sell fast and attract the right buyer.
Make sure to eliminate clutter and safety hazards that are present during colder weather. Rake dead leaves and mow your lawn. Trim your trees to let natural light inside the home to showcase the interior.
It’s also important to wash your windows and decks, so it sparkles instead of appearing streaked by the rain. Vacuum your fireplace, especially if it hasn’t used in months.
And above all, make sure your doorways and the rest of your home is clear from overgrown vegetation and clutter.
Create Autumn Curb Appeal
If your exterior looks dull, brighten it up by painting it with warm colors, planting seasonal flowers, or placing pumpkins along the walkways to add instant color to your home.
Potential buyers will judge your property through the exterior, and you want to make sure it’s positive.
If you want to decorate outside of your home, don’t go overboard with decorations that diminish curb appeal. Stick to neutral colors, a few displays like a festive front door wreath, and good lighting to highlight the walkway.
Check the HVAC
One of the most important systems in your home is the heating and air conditioning system (HVAC). That’s why it’s important that you schedule regular maintenance and cleaning to extend the life of the system. Consider having it cleaned and serviced before winter. I recommend having your HVAC system serviced twice a year by a licensed professional.
Keep the House Cozy
Entering a cold house could lead to bad impressions. Warm up your place by applying a fresh coat of paint and setting your thermostat into a comfortable level.
You can also warm up your space by bringing the light inside, especially as days get shorter leading to the winter. Make sure to open the blinds and curtains so natural light can highlight the interior.
Create an autumn vibe by decorating your dull sofa with a red, orange, or yellow pillow. Highlight your dining room table by arranging pine cones and nuts around orange candles, stick in a few leaves from the yard.
Well-chosen embellishment will help you put your best face forward.
Prepare for the Open House and Showings
Whether you’re selling your home in spring or fall, it is essential to keep your house showing ready.
Keep the house clean and tidy.
Make sure that your home looks and smells good. Warm scented candles like cinnamon, apple pie, or pumpkin spice are very inviting.
Bottomline
Fall is just as good a time as any to sell your home. While there may be fewer buyers searching there are also fewer homes on the market. The more move in ready your home the more buyers will appreciate it.
Make sure to work with a real estate agent who is familiar with selling during fall seasons. Ask them if they will able to assist you in staging your property or if they have any marketing strategy they can use to make your home sell faster.
Thinking of selling your home? Check out our 20+ step Guide to Selling Your House. Or you can contact me now to start the process immediately. Same day appointments are available on a case by case basis. I look forward to hearing from you.
About the Author
The above article was written by Abraham Walker, Your Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent, helping clients market their homes to achieve high sales with a quick closing time is my main priority. He’s the co-founder of Ask A Walker and can be found on YouTube, Facebook, and HERE on this blog.
