Tips to Sell Your Home in the Fall
It is generally known that springtime is the busiest time of year for the real estate market and the ideal season to sell a home. However, this does not preclude the possibility of selling your wares at other times of the year, including the fall, and making a profit from those sales.
How does the real estate market look for the fall season?
It is true that there is a smaller housing inventory (the number of properties available on the market) in the fall compared to the spring and summer; but, it is also true that buyers who are browsing for homes in the fall are likely to be serious about making a purchase. Buyers in the fall may be relocating for new work or because of a change in their family’s circumstances; therefore, they are frequently ready to make a deal. Also, seasonality plays a less significant effect in the real estate market in your area the more robust the market is.
Which months comprise the fall season?
To be more specific about the time of year that we are discussing, fall encompasses the months beginning on September 1 and ending on November 30. This time of year is characterised by seasonally appropriate activities such as apple picking, pumpkin carving, and feasting on turkey dinners across the majority of the United States. The days are also noticeably shorter. The Labor Day holiday, the Columbus Day holiday, Halloween, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving are all holidays that occur within this time frame.
Selling in the fall: advantages and disadvantages
There are a number of benefits to selling a house in the autumn.
• Serious purchasers have an incentive to make a purchase as soon as possible, before the hectic holiday season and the onset of poor weather.
• The cosy and inviting ambiance of your house is enhanced by the presence of the changing seasons. •
It is a widespread misunderstanding that the vast majority of shoppers are attempting to accommodate their children’s academic calendars while making their purchases. As a matter of fact, more than half of buyers do not have children under the age of 18 living in their homes, which is why the fall is just as excellent of a season as any other.
• The beginning of fall is typically the time when there is sufficient daylight to hold weeknight open houses in addition to weekend ones.
Problems that can arise when trying to sell a house in the fall
• Simply put, there are fewer customers looking to make a purchase during this off-peak season compared to the springtime.
The deteriorating weather can make it difficult to give showings, and the falling leaves make it difficult to maintain the autumn curb appeal of a property.
• Busy work and school schedules, as well as holiday plans, can make it difficult to schedule showings. The 44 percent of buyers who do have kids generally prefer to be settled in a new home before the start of the new school year.
When it comes to the fall real estate market, here are some helpful selling tips for your home.
Utilize these pointers to help you overcome the challenges of selling your house in the fall.
Move quickly
It is much simpler to sell a home in the fall as opposed to the months of December and January, when the availability of buyers, real estate agents, lenders, and real estate attorneys is limited due to inclement weather, holiday schedules, and travel plans. Therefore, as soon as you have made the decision to sell, get to work as quickly as you can to get your house ready for the market.
Take pictures of the property as soon as possible.
Get in touch with a real estate photography professional as soon as possible to have your property photographed. The earlier in the fall that you take them, the better the natural light will be, and the nicer your outdoor space will look as a result. Even better, if you already know that you will be selling the following fall, take your shots early in the spring when the weather is picture perfect.
Employ the services of a seasoned broker.
It is critical to work with an experienced real estate agent when you are selling a home in a market that is moving at a more leisurely pace. Ask prospective real estate agents about the tactics they use to sell properties during the off-season when you interview them.
Market in an innovative manner
What distinguishes your house, your community, or your region from others like it? For instance, if you live in an area that is popular with people who migrate south for the winter, you should start marketing to snowbirds just before the colder weather sets in.
Place an appropriate asking price for your home.
You can determine the appropriate list price for your home with the help of comparable properties in the neighbourhood, which are also referred to as CMAs, and the expertise of your real estate agent. When doing so, keep in mind that your pricing strategy may change depending on whether it is the fall or the spring.
You shouldn’t anticipate a circumstance in which there will be several offers, which will drive the price up above the asking price; therefore, you should ensure that the list price is comfortable for you. Also, you are under no obligation to take the lowest offer that is presented to you.
Getting your house ready for the market
Prepare your home for an open house by performing some basic upkeep and repairs and giving it a fresh coat of paint.
Perform inspections and necessary repairs.
Make sure that you have addressed any major concerns that could raise red flags during an inspection. Some examples of such issues include water damage, repairs needed for the roof, or difficulties with the HVAC system. You don’t want to provide buyers any additional leverage or opportunity to drop their offer price while the real estate market is weak since this gives them greater ability to negotiate.
Complete indoor maintenance
Home purchasers who are astute pay attention to the tiniest details, and certain defects become more apparent during the chillier fall months. Before your initial showing, you might want to consider tackling the following must-do list:
• Install insulation around the windows and doors, as this is the time of year when cold draughts are most visible.
• Clear away any dust and cobwebs that have accumulated, since these things have a tendency to do during this time of year.
• Take care of any unsightly problems. Because prospective purchasers are going to spend more time inside during a showing in the fall, making cosmetic improvements inside the home, such as touching up the paint and caulking in the kitchen and bathrooms, can make a great impact.
• Make sure to change the air filters. It is important to replace the filters in your furnace before turning up the heat in the fall so that you do not spread musty odours or an excessive amount of dust throughout the house.
Improve fall curb appeal
In the fall, curb appeal is still quite important, regardless of the fact that your flowers may not be in full bloom. Cross these yard upkeep items off your list:
• Perform some fundamental yard cleanup tasks, such as mowing the grass, raking up the leaves, trimming the trees, and adding mulch to give the yard a more updated appearance.
• You should clean out the gutters.
• Include some autumn flowers in the arrangement, such as chrysanthemums or marigolds.
• Before beginning each tour, thoroughly sweep or blow the walkways.
• Install a fresh doormat for use with muddy boots.
Fall real estate staging tips
Take into consideration these fall-themed staging techniques that might assist you in turning potential fall listing drawbacks into desirable selling features.
Organize and clear out the mess.
When you’re trying to sell your property, it’s usually a good idea to give it a thorough cleaning and get rid of any clutter that’s accumulated there. If, on the other hand, you are selling to fall purchasers who are extremely motivated, simplifying your belongings in advance will enable you to accommodate a speedy closing in the event that it is required.
Add light
The days get shorter during the fall, and there is less light in the evenings as the season progresses. Therefore, it is essential to bring some light into your home. Not only will it assist potential buyers in seeing all the wonderful characteristics of your property, but it will also make it appear inviting from the street:
• Make sure the windows and screens are spotless so that you can let the maximum amount of light in.
• Add lighting. Adding light can be done quickly and easily (and temporarily) by bringing in more floor or table lights.
• Refresh the interior paint. Another option to consider is simply switching out the bulbs for ones with a higher wattage, up to the maximum that is recommended for each fixture. It is common knowledge that light and neutral paint colours appeal to the largest number of potential buyers. However, during the darker days of fall, light and neutral paint colours also reflect more light.
Bring out the warm and fuzzy vibes.
The air becomes chillier, the leaves begin to change color, and people begin to spend more time indoors, where they can be warm and cosy. Create a cosy and welcoming autumn atmosphere in your home, which potential buyers are sure to adore:
• During showings and open houses, make sure your gas or electric fireplace is lit.
• Accent your home with seasonal elements, such as throw pillows and blankets in fall hues, as well as unscented candles.
• Keep holiday decorations to a minimum. Be sure not to go overboard with the fall decorations. You want to make sure that buyers can image your home as a property that they can use throughout the year, so remove any Halloween decorations and replace them with a simple fall leaf wreath on the front door. Arrange the furniture in a way that encourages conversation. When it comes to preparing your home for sale, one recommendation that you’ll frequently hear is to rearrange your furniture in order to get the most out of every area (and yes, this might mean removing the flat-screen TV to encourage face-to-face seating arrangements). You want potential customers to picture themselves having a good time in your establishment with their loved ones and close friends.
• You should provide festive sweets. The icing on the cake, seasonal treats such as apple cider simmering on the stove or pumpkin cookies can set your home apart from others when you host an open house in the fall.
