When most people think about real estate, they imagine the springtime. There's a good reason for this; spring is traditionally the busiest season when it comes to home sales. But did you know that fall is the second busiest time of year for the real estate market?

One of the reasons for the uptick in home sales during the autumn months is that summertime is traditionally vacation season. Homeowners simply aren't around enough to stage their homes and put them on the market. Stifling weather can also make it a less-than-agreeable time to search for a new house. And let's face it – in the summer, people want to spend time outside enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures By fall, temperatures are agreeable and neighborhoods are filled with the fall cheer of mums, pumpkins, and changing leaves.

Here are just a few reasons that make fall a great time to list your home for sale:

The kids are back in school. Kids can make a home search more hectic than necessary, which is why many prospective homebuyers prefer to shop around without their kids in tow. Once school starts up, buyers can head out on a home search unencumbered. And if you're selling, it's easier to keep a home clean and ready for showings if the kids aren't traipsing in and out with wet swimsuits and muddy feet.

Yes, the spring housing market is sure to bring out buyers, but plenty of folks may hold off on making an offer. With more homes to choose from, they can afford to be picky, and that could extend their search by months. Come September, though, serious buyers will be feeling the pressure to make their move before the holiday season or bad weather hits. 

You can use the season to your advantage. The fall season just exudes a feeling of hearth and home. You can capitalize on this warmth when staging your house to sell. And autumn is a truly beautiful time of year. Fall colors are warm and inviting, so start with a seasonal wreath on your front door or some planters in your front yard brimming with cheerful fall flowers. Indoors, use warm lighting, seasonal décor, and scents to help you sell. Nothing says "home" like the smell of cinnamon or pumpkin. Baskets or bowls of fall fruits like apples and peaches are a practical alternative to flower arrangements and make a house feel like a home without being obtrusive or gaudy. Keep it tasteful and make sure to stay on top of your landscaping – remove fallen leaves often so that your yard looks well maintained.

Make your move before the holidays. No one wants to be living out of boxes by the time the holidays roll around. The late fall and winter holidays are traditionally a time of year centered around home. By selling – and buying – this fall, you can be situated in your new home and ready to celebrate the holidays with family and friends.

  • How to Prepare: Make your home listing stand out. Fall and winter photos run the risk of looking drab, but well-timed summer - mid September photos are bright, clean, warm – really everything you need to stand out to serious buyers. So take advantage of the season’s best days and include those photos in the listing when you go to sell in the fall. Give us a call asap so that we can put our amazing professional photographer to work!
  • Step up the Curb Appeal. Curb Appeal is one of the biggest things people forget about when selling in the fall. Fix up the front porch, rake the leaves, and please – don’t forget to clean the gutters! With everything well maintained, you’ll be ready when the buyers are.
  • Stage the Space. Empty nesters aren’t necessarily looking for three bedrooms, but they might want a workspace, exercise room or guest bedroom. On the other hand, a millennial couple might want space for a nursery or playroom. Let each buyer see how the house can fit their needs.

If you're thinking of selling your home give us a call today and we can get together to discuss all of your options for a successful sale this Fall. 

Pro Tip:

1. Fill out our easy Home Evaluation Form found on the right-hand side of this page for quick access to your homes potential value.

2. Check out our Getting Your Home Ready for Sale page found under the SELLING tab at the top of this page for all of the best tips and tricks for getting the best possible value for your home.

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