Fall often signals a slowing down in the real estate business. While steady home sales are expected to continue through the year, many regions will likely slowly shift from a sellers market to a moderate or buyers market, meaning if you're selling, you'll want to do everything you can to make you house look its best.
As you set out to put your home on the market and add your home sale to this year's statistics, keep the following fall tips in mind:
Curb appeal. A home shopper's first impression is everything. The moment they pull up to the curb, they'll make an instant judgment. You'll want to be sure it's positive. You can begin by making sure leaves are raked, and your shrubs and bushes are pruned.
Make sure your walkway is free of leaves and debris.
Trim trees so unexpected winds don't knock down branches that could damage your home or hurt anybody.
If it is rainy, be sure you have a good doormat so all potential homebuyers can wipe their feet and not traipse mud and water through the house.
Make sure gutters are free from debris and are draining properly.
If you already have snow, be sure you clear the front walkway to the door. And if you have stairs leading to your front door, make sure they're not icy.
If you live in a warm region, plant a few fall annuals to give your exterior some instant color.
Be sure your lawn is mowed and fertilized.
Make sure your door area is clear from bicycles and toys.
Hang a festive fall wreath on your door.
Fall is an excellent time to paint your house if you live in a warm region. If your house's exterior looks drab and you're in a buyer's market, you may want to consider painting to raise your home's appeal.
Keep the house cozy. Entering a cold house could leave an unfavorable impression. Instead, set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature.
Place a nice fall centerpiece on your dining room table.
Decorate the house with festive fall embellishments and bright orange pumpkins.
Make sure the back yard isn't covered in leaves. Also, try to make it look as child-friendly as possible so potential buyers can envision what the space will look like for their own children.
If you live in a warm region and still use the patio in the fall, make sure your patio area is inviting and attractive. Clean your patio furniture and arrange it keeping the views from indoors in mind. Spruce up the area with a few container plantings.
Windows. Make sure your windows are sparkling clean, especially if you live in a sunny region that doesn't get much fall rain.
Walls. If you're thinking about touching up the paint on your walls before you put your home on the market, keep the colors neutral and light. A light yellow or beige will make the room feel cooler than a brick red or dark taupe.
Let the light in. Open blinds and curtains so plenty of light illuminates the home's interior.
And, just like any other time of year, get rid of the clutter throughout your house. And get rid of any offensive odors that may come from cigarette smoke or pets.
Finally, if you're selling your home during the fall, there's nothing more inviting to a potential home buyer than the aroma of a freshly baked, cinnamon-laced apple pie!
Published: September 24, 2002
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