Whatever your reason is, the Fall market is just getting ready to take off (not that the Spring market has slowed down any this year) and I have a few tips to help you get your house ready for the second busiest market of the year.
It is time to let go of summer and welcome the change in air temperature as well as the Fall colours and enjoy a month or two of whatever your "normal" is. And I think that is a great time to sell your home!
Here are some great helpful tips for attracting the Fall market home buyer.
1. Clean Up the Yard
Rake dead leaves and debris from your lawn. Cut back/trim shrubs and trees. Don't let overgrown shrubs block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting back bushes will allow natural light inside and showcase the exterior of your home. Make the most of the Fall weather by cutting down summer vines and dead flowers as well.
2. Create Fall Feeling Curb Appeal
The most popular Fall flowers are chrysanthemums (or mums), and they bloom for a long time. Marigolds are another idea for fall. You could mix and match yellow and orange mums and marigolds to give that Fall feeling. Plant them in pots and place them on the steps and along your walkway.
3. Clean Windows
Rain and wind from over the summer months can make your windows dusty and streaked by Fall. Wash the outside of your windows and take out the screens and hose them down. The home buyers will notice smudges so your windows need to shine and sparkle. Maybe your dogs bark and sneeze on the inside glass while watching kids play outside or others walking their dogs. It's a good idea to wash the windows inside and out every Fall.
4. Check the HVAC
Change your filter so the air inside your home will smell fresh. Check the HVAC system before you turn on the heater. The home buyer will ask the inspector to check the system so it's better if you discover problems with your furnace and fix them before your house goes on the market.
5. Do You Have A Fireplace?
There is no better smell than smoke from a wood-burning fireplace in the crispness of the Fall air. Just remember to clean out the ashes before home buyers view. If you have a gas fireplace, light it when buyers come through. If the fireplace is filled with cobwebs because it hasn't been used for months, vacuum it out and wash it down.
6. Prepare Fall Edibles
Speaking of Fall scents, you might set out freshly baked ginger molasses cookies or simmer hot apple cider on the stove. Maybe place a tray of cinnamon sticks on the counter. Or open a cookbook to a page of a hearty stew. And don't forget your bowl of fresh, crisp apples!
7. Use Fall Accent Colours
Accessorize your couch with bright red, orange and/or golden yellow pillows. Toss a fall-colored throw over a chair. Declutter and depersonalize each room then add bold-colored accent pieces in odd groupings such as 3's and 5's to the space. Create an autumn centerpiece for the dining room table by using pine cones and leaves around some red or orange candles.
8. Light Up The House
It doesn't take long for the days to get shorter in the Fall so pull up the blinds, open the shutters, and push back the drapes on all the windows. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten darker rooms by turning on lamps, and for goodness sakes, turn off the TV.
So there you have it...a few ideas on how to transition your home for the Fall market. Thanks for taking the time to read. Until next time...Keep It "REAL"
