The real estate market is typically most active at the early stages of spring. However, just because its fall doesn’t mean your home won’t sell. Millennials, empty nesters, relocations and other home buyers aren’t particular about when they move, so you have a good chance of selling your home come fall. To make your home more appealing, you’ll want to take the following tips into consideration.
Move-In Condition
Before you begin to show your home, have your real estate agent walk through your dwelling first. As a professional, they’ll be able to determine if you need to get rid of any clutter or make repairs. Additional small home improvements like painting the walls a neutral color and cleaning carpets can go a long way.
Tune-Ups and Inspections
As the weather turns colder, you’ll need to ditch your air-condition for heat. Before you set your thermostat to something cozy, you’ll want to have your furnace inspected by a professional. They can help change your filters and determine if your furnace is in need of any additional parts. Homes with older equipment should also be fixed or replaced. Professional companies such as RitzPlumbing.com can replace or service your old water heaters, sump pumps and pipes. If your home has a fireplace, it should also be inspected. A serviceman can check for any blockages such as a squirrel or birds nest. Save the receipts and have handy, so the buyers can see how well-tended your home is.
Clean the Exterior
Your home’s exterior can set the mood for your dwelling. Whether the prospective buyers see the photos of your home on the Internet or by driving around your neighborhood, you want to have the exterior in prime condition. Leaves, branches and other debris can litter your yard as the summer season comes to a close. Try to rake or mow your lawn weekly, so it looks tidy and neat. You’ll also want to clean your gutters to remove leaves and other debris that may be littering it. During rainstorms, this can allow your gutters to overflow and run down onto the sides of your home. Decks, walkways and garages should also be cleaned and treated. Remove your annual flowers in favor of colorful mums. This can brighten up your exterior and give your home added character. If you notice any paint chipping off your home’s trim, shutters or doors, a touch up can make the exterior look brand new. If you live in a warmer climate, you’ll want to leave the patio furniture out and make sure it’s clean for buyers to sit outdoors and take in your view.
Decorate
The fall season is a time for colorful foliage and decorations. While you don’t want to go over-the-top in sprucing up your home for fall, simple adornments can give your outside some charm. Seasonal fall welcome mats are ideal, especially if you have buyers walking through your home. Place pumpkins on your porch or along your walkway and display a festive fall wreath on your front door.
Lighting
As the hours of daylight begin to grow shorter, you’re home’s exterior will need additional lighting. If you have porch lights, this is a great time to change the bulbs. You should also have your garage, walkways and address numbers lit properly. Before a home showing at night, illuminate the home by turning on the lights in every room.
Get Serious About the Price
If you really need to sell your home, the fall market could be slower than the spring. That’s why it’s important to price your dwelling accordingly. Your Realtor will be able to provide the latest comps. This gives you an idea of what the other homes in your neighborhood are currently selling for, the number of days they have been on the market, and the features. A market analysis will also show you what the homes have sold at. While you may think that your home is far superior from the other listings, it pays to listen to the advice from the experts.
