Hello
Friends,
The fall real estate market is almost always a hot
season. Home selling in autumn or fall is the second best time of the year to
sell a home. Families have returned from summer vacations. Kids have gone back
to school. The holidays aren't yet upon us, at least not yet in an annoying
way. We are set to enjoy 75 to 80 days of normalcy, and that's a great time to
sell a home.
In parts of the country with four seasons, we watch
leaves explode in vibrant colors as for
sale signs pop up in yards. People are happy and relaxed as the temperature begins to
drop. It's not just sweater weather that creates static electricity in autumn;
it's the scurrying of agents diligently working to pop a few more sales into
the hopper before third quarter sales results are posted.
Here are 10 tips for attracting the autumn home buyer in
the fall:
Clean Up the Yard
Rake dead leaves and debris in your lawn. Don't let
overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting bushes
and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the exterior of your home.
Cut away summer vines and cut down dead flowers. Make the most of autumn
weather in the fall real estate market.
Create Autumn Curb Appeal
The most popular autumn flowers are chrysanthemums (or
mums) and they bloom for a long time. I am also partial to marigolds for fall.
Both mums and marigolds are available in yellow, which is my number one home
selling color.
Plant them in pots. Place pots on the steps and along the
sidewalk. Accent with pumpkins or other types of squash.
Dress the Windows
Rain and wind from over the summer months can make your
windows dusty and streaked by autumn. You might not notice smudges, but buyers
will, if only on a subconscious level.
To sell a home, your windows need to sparkle. Even though
I am not selling my home, my cats routinely rub their little noses on the
inside glass while walking along window ledges, so I need to wash my windows
inside and out every autumn. Remove screens and spray them down.
Check the HVAC
You want the air inside your home to smell fresh. When
was the last time you changed your furnace filter? You can buy 90-day furnace
filters. Have the HVAC system checked before you need to turn on the heat.
Besides, the buyer will ask a home inspector to
look at your HVAC. If you discover problems with your furnace, it's better to
fix them before your home goes on the market.
Clean Out the Fireplace for the Fall Real Estate
Market
Ah, nothing smells like autumn than smoke from a
wood-burning fireplace. However, in some parts of the country, burning wood
indoors or outdoors is outlawed. In Sacramento, we have certain days when we
are not allowed to burn wood in the fireplace. 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. Some home stagers arrange knickknacks in the fireplace
in place of wood logs.
Prepare Autumn Edibles
Speaking of autumn scents, you might set out freshly
baked pumpkin cupcakes or simmer hot apple cider on the stove. Put a tray of
cinnamon sticks on the counter, dotted with whole cloves. One of my favorite
autumn treats as a kid was snicker-doodle cookies. Prop open a cookbook to an
autumn stew. Fill a bowl with crisp red apples.
Set the Mood for Fall Real Estate Musically
When I think of autumn music, beyond "See You in
September" and "California Dreamin'," polka music and accordions
come to mind. German beer fests are always held in October. But that doesn't
seem appropriate for autumn home selling unless you're entertaining a frat
house. I suspect a home seller is better off with Enya's "The First of
Autumn" or George Winston's new age piano album "Autumn."
Utilize Autumn Accent Colors
You don't need to dump a lifeless sofa when you can
accessorize its dullness with bright red, orange and / or golden yellow
pillows. Toss a quilt or autumn-colored throw over a chair. After you've
cleared away the clutter and depersonalized each room, bring a little bit of
autumn hues to each room by placing bold-colored accent pieces in odd groupings
such as 3's and 5's. Create an autumn centerpiece for the dining room table by
arranging pine cones and nuts around orange candles, stick in a few leaves from
the yard.
Turn on the Lights Everywhere
Above all, bring in the light. When days get shorter, the
sun sets lower in the horizon and casts wider shadows. Pull up the blinds, open
the shutters, push back the drapes on every window. Turn on every light in the
house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten darker rooms with
few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture, and for
goodness sakes, turn off the TV.
Offer Parting Treats to Potential Buyers
I like to leave a guest book by the door for people to
leave comments about the home. Gathering buyer
feedback can be crucial. And
buyers will feel more compelled to leave you a note if you give them something
in return. Like tiny packets of candy corn or those snack-sized candy bars -- oh,
I love Snickers bars like no tomorrow. Or you can go all-out and leave a tray
of individually wrapped caramelized apples, tied with a curling ribbon.
Thanks so much,
ERA Skyline Real Estate
3376 Harrison Blvd.,
Ogden, Utah 84403
801-627-6500
