Spring and summer might be the busy season for home sales, but selling your home in the fall, especially this fall, might be the more sensible move.
Autumn happens to be the second-best time of the year to sell a home. Traveling families have returned from summer vacations and the kids are back to school. Since the holidays aren’t quite upon us, most of us are set to enjoy 75 to 80 days of regularity and routine, making it a great time to buy or sell a home.
People move during all times of the year, due to such job relocations, life changes and other reasons. Typically, people home shopping in the fall are serious house hunters and not just lookie-loos. In fact, while there may be fewer buyers in the fall than during the hectic spring market, there are more serious buyers in the fall than in any other time of the year.
The Fed has stated recently that it’s considering raising rates again in 2018 and perhaps even more in 2019. Therefore, it’s possible to see mortgage rates above 5 percent in the not-too-distant future. For move-up buyers, it makes good financial sense to sell now and buy your next home while interest rates are still so low.
The best reason for selling now – fewer houses are listed in the fall so buyers have less options to choose from. Smaller inventory means that your chances for finding a buyer for your home, in a short time frame, increase.
Before getting the for-sale sign in the yard, however, consider these five tips.
Clean Up the Yard
Make sure to rake dead leaves and debris from your lawn. Don’t let overgrown shrubs and bushes block the windows or the path to the entrance. In addition, cutting bushes and tree limbs lets more sun shine inside as well as showcasing the exterior of your home.
Autumn Curb Appeal
Cold-hearty flowers which can survive falling temperatures, like mums or pansies, in beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows can dress up any home exterior. Pots placed on the steps and along the sidewalk add a touch of seasonal color and pleasing aesthetics.
Renee Behr, with The Platinum Group, REALTORS® suggests adding some fall décor too, such as decorative autumn wreaths and fall scented candles.
Windows
Rain and wind from over the summer months leave windows looking dusty and streaked. Having bright sunlit windows helps buyers see beyond the gray and overcast weather of fall.
Clean Out the Fireplace
One of the best parts of autumn is the smell from a wood-burning fireplace. If you have a gas fireplace, lighting it when buyers come through produces a warm and inviting atmosphere. But, if your fireplace is filled with cobwebs and dust from not being used all summer, it’s best to vacuum it out and wash it down.
Turn on the Lights
Along with bringing in the sunlight, turn on every light in the house. Brightening up the rooms gives the home a happy, cozy feeling when buyers walk through.
If you are considering selling your home in the fall, it’s a good idea to reach out to a real estate agent now to get started. Hiring a real estate agent who is an expert in the local market and has insight into marketing in every season, can help buyers and sellers navigate through a smooth process any time of year.
The Platinum Group, REALTORS® are hometown experts in the Pikes Peak region. Upholding the highest level of honesty and integrity, the Platinum team cares more about relationships and service than the number of transactions they close.
