Autumn isn't peak real estate time, but these tips will help you sell your home successfully.
It's common knowledge that spring is the peak real estate season and the best time of year to sell a house. But, that doesn't mean you can't sell (and make a profit) during other times of the year, including the fall.
While it's true that housing inventory (the number of homes on the market) is lower in the fall than in the spring and summer, it's also true that buyers who are shopping in the fall are likely to be serious about buying. Fall buyers may be moving because of a job relocation or change in family situation, so they're often eager to close a deal. And, the hotter your local real estate market, the less significant a role seasonality plays.
To clarify the part of the year we're talking about, fall includes dates between September 1 and November 30. In most of the country, this time of year is marked by cooler weather, shorter days, and falling leaves — think picking apples, carving pumpkins, and enjoying turkey dinners. Holidays that fall within this period include Labor Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving.
Advantages of selling a house in the fall
Challenges of selling a house in the fall
Overcome the challenges of selling your house in autumn with these tips.
It's much easier to sell in the fall than in December and January, when bad weather, holiday schedules, and travel plans limit the availability of buyers, agents, lenders, and real estate attorneys. So, once you've decided to sell, work as quickly as possible to prepare your home for listing.
Have your professional real estate pictures taken as soon as possible. The earlier in the fall they're taken, the better the natural light will be and the nicer your outdoor space will look. Even better, if you know you'll be selling next fall, take your pictures ahead of time, in picture-perfect spring.
When you're selling in a slower market, it's important to hire a real estate agent who knows what they're doing. When you interview agents, ask for their strategies for selling in an off-peak season.
What makes your home, your neighborhood, or your area unique? For example, if you live in a location that attracts winter residents, market to those snowbirds just before winter weather arrives.
Use neighborhood comps (also called CMAs) and your agent's expertise to find the right list price for your home, keeping in mind that your pricing strategy may vary in the fall versus the spring.
You shouldn't expect a multiple-offer situation that drives the price up above the asking, so make sure you're comfortable with the list price. And, don't feel obligated to accept low-ball offers.
Get your home open house ready with some simple repair work, maintenance and sprucing up.
Make sure you've addressed any major issues that would be red flags in an inspection, including water damage, roof repairs, or HVAC system problems. When the real estate market is slower, buyers have more negotiating power, and you don't want to give them any additional leverage — or opportunities to lower their offer price.
Savvy home buyers notice the small details, and certain flaws show up more in the colder fall months. Consider tackling the following to-do list before your first showing:
Even though your flowers might not be in bloom, curb appeal is still important in the fall. Cross these yard maintenance items off your list:
Consider these seasonally inspired staging tips that can help you turn fall listing negatives into positives.
Doing a deep clean of your home and clearing out the clutter is always a good idea when you're selling your home. But, when you're selling to super-motivated fall buyers, streamlining your stuff ahead of time will allow you to accommodate a quick closing if needed.
Fall means shorter days, with evening light disappearing more and more each night. So, it's important to brighten up your house. Not only will it help buyers see all your home's great features, but it'll make it look inviting from the street:
The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and people start spending more time snuggled up inside. Give your home that warm, inviting fall feel buyers are sure to love:
All photos from Shutterstock.
Written by
Kristijonas Umbrasas
11.26.2019
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