As the summer months draw to a close, and we start to feel a chill in the air, and people start to get ready to hibernate through the cold months – especially here in Ottawa. For those looking to sell their homes, the common misconception is that they should wait for the spring when everything is fresh and new, but this isn’t exactly true. Real Estate operates all year round, and fall is a great time to sell your home.
During the fall, although the temperature drops it is still pleasant enough outside for potential buyers to explore the market. Plus, you’ll find a lot of “lookers” in the fall are serious buyers – those who didn’t find their dream home in the spring and summer. Not to mention, school is back, and parents are less occupied with their children, which gives them time to consider all their options.
Finally, you might actually end up with less market competition, because spring is the most common time for people to sell. For this reason it is also the time when realtors have less clients on their books and will be able to give you and your home more of their undivided attention. All good reasons to put your home on the market in the fall!
Now that we’ve covered some benefits, here are some of our top tips for preparing your home for a fall sale:
- Of course, regardless of what time of year you’re selling in, make sure all required maintenance and renovations are taken care of. This can include everything from a fresh coat of paint, to a new railing on the stairs, or replacing that old dingy carpet in the basement. The less buyers have to worry about upon move-in, the better. In the fall, you’ll want to pay extra attention to winter maintenance items, like ensuring heating and cooling systems are up to date and your chimney has been cleaned.
- I talk about it all the time – now is the best time to update and increase your curb appeal. Rake those leaves and spruce up your lawn, tidy the beds, cut down any remaining summer vines, and remove dead flowers. Your home’s facade and curb is the first impression and during the fall you can definitely maximize on this after all the summer rains. This is also the time to take advantage of those beautiful, bright fall colours – plant the yellows, oranges, and reds, and you will really stand out from the drab, grey colours that come with the lower temperatures.
- Stage your home for the season. Families especially like to be able to see themselves living in your home, so tasteful holiday decor can go a long way to making the home feel, well, like a home. It may be worth it to have a decorator come in to help you do this – you want to make sure you don’t cross the line from ‘beautifully decorated’ to ‘overboard’. Avoid the fake blood!
Whatever your reason for selling, make sure you are consulting your local REALTOR® to help you through the process (no matter what time of year it is). Trends and times change, and for you to gain the best price and advantage in the market, you want to work with someone who knows the ins and outs of real estate.
If you’re considering listing your home, or have questions, send me a message today.