The fall is a great time to sell your home. With fewer people moving into the area, real estate agents have more time to focus on your property. The rush of prospective buyers who see new listings during their lunch break in the spring often evaporates in the leaves of autumn. As a result, selling your home in the fall can give you time to prep it for the market, find an agent, and list it effectively before winter comes.
Despite the fact that fewer properties are for sale in the fall than in the warm months, buyers who are actively looking in the fall are more likely to be serious buyers. Fall purchasers are frequently eager to seal a contract since they may be moving due to a work move or an adjustment in their family circumstances.
The season of fall is distinguished by lower temperatures, fewer daylight hours, and changing foliage. In Canada, fall includes dates in the months of September to November when you can expect the first snow.
If you are thinking of putting your home on the market this fall or early winter, here are seven tips to help you succeed.
1. Update your curb appeal
If your home has been on the market for a while, take a look at your front yard and walkway. Make sure no weeds are growing, that your lawn is mowed and edged and that your walkway is clear and clean. You want your home to look as good on the outside as it does on the inside. You may also want to spruce up the landscaping to make your home look more attractive. If you are not sure where to start, talk to your real estate agent about what might improve your curb appeal.
2. Run a comprehensive home inspection
Before you put your house on the market, you should hire a home inspector to examine the property from top to bottom. The home inspection will give you a comprehensive list of repairs needed for the house and save you the time and headache of going through each issue one by one after a buyer finds it. If you have a new roof, furnace, or plumbing system, it may be enough proof to a potential buyer that they should buy your home. It may also give you peace of mind that your home is in good shape. Before you list your house, do your due diligence to make sure that you are not hiding anything.
3. Be prepared for showings
Before your agent puts your home on the market, make sure that you are prepared for showings. You want your home to look its best when prospective buyers come through. So make sure you have your home spick and span before showings start happening. Clean up clutter, tidy up, and put your best foot forward. To prepare for showings, employ a real estate photography expert photographer, turn on the lights before showings so that potential buyers enter a well-lit room, and don’t forget about outdoor lighting. Before showings, turn on external lights and hang some cheap lights to create a nice atmosphere. If your home is painted in dark colors, take into account the significant effect that new, vibrant paint may have on buyers.
4. Do some light cosmetic repairs
If your home has a few minor issues, do some minor cosmetic repairs to ensure that your home presents well to prospective buyers. For example, if your home has some cracked paint you should sand and repaint the areas. If your cabinets are a little dated, sand, stain, and repaint them. If your floor is scratched, consider replacing the flooring or simply adding a rug to cover the scratches. If your home has a few nicks in the walls, touch those up, and consider repainting the walls.
5. Be ready to negotiate with potential buyers
Unfortunately, real estate agents don’t just sell your house for you. They also act as brokers representing buyers who want to purchase your home. That’s why you want to be prepared to negotiate with potential buyers and get the best deal possible. If you receive an offer on your home, you can use it as a chance to negotiate and get the price you want. Your real estate agent can help you write a counteroffer that gets you the price you want. For example, if the buyer offers $100,000 for your $120,000 home, you can counteroffer $100,000. If the buyer is willing to negotiate, they may come back with a higher offer and give you the price you want.
6. Make some structural repairs and improvements
If there are repairs or improvements that buyers will expect from you before they sign on the dotted line, make sure to do them before your home goes on the market. For example, if the roof needs replacement, do it before you list your home. If you need to make other structural repairs, make sure to get those done before you list your home. Although you may not be able to make improvements to your home before you list it, you can hire an inspector to check for issues you can’t see. You can also ask your real estate agent to do a comparative market analysis (CMA) to see what other homes in your area are selling for. You may be able to make some improvements to your home that will help you sell it faster and for more money.
7. Hire a professional agent
When you are selling in a slower market, it is important to hire a real estate agent who knows what they are doing. When you interview agents, ask for their strategies for selling in an off-peak season.
In conclusion, selling your home in the fall has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages compared to listing it in the spring when everyone is trying to buy a house. Since fewer people are looking to buy in the fall, real estate agents have more time to focus on your property. If you are thinking of putting your home on the market in the fall or early winter, make sure to update your curb appeal, run a comprehensive home inspection, be prepared for showings, do some light cosmetic repairs be ready to negotiate with potential buyers, make some structural repairs and improvements, and be ready to list your home so it can sell before winter comes.
