Most people think that the autumn season is not the most ideal time to sell a home. After all, days are shorter, with fewer hours of daylight for home showing.
However, autumn has its own charm; family get-togethers by a crackling fire, enjoy winter sports in the backyard, and have the beach all by yourself. But most of all, a lot of homebuyers are eager to buy a house at this time of the year to avoid having to do so during the cold winter season.
Here are 6 toasty home selling tips according to Realty Times to help you successfully sell your home:
Say welcome with fall decorations
Make your home welcoming despite the gloomy fall weather by putting up in-season home decorations like pumpkins, gourds, and scarecrows that could last through thanksgiving. Have a welcome mat ready for agents and potential buyers to wipe their feet and prepare booties that they can slip on over shoes so you keep your floor clear of mud or road salt during the showing.
Air out your home
It's normal to keep windows and doors shut to keep everyone warm during the cold weather season, but if you have a home showing, do some occasional airing to let odors out by opening the windows and doors once in a while. Moisture also tend to hold odor so make sure to run the fans after cooking and use the exhaust fans when taking a shower. During the showing, keep the room temperature neutral - not too warm, not too cold.
Let the light in
With the shorter daylight and the usual gloomy weather, make sure to have proper lighting in your home during a showing by pumping up wattage in certain areas of your space that you want to highlight, and by keeping the windows clean and your drapes open to allow as much outside light in.
Cut out clutter
Everybody wants to stay indoors during fall and this leads to accumulating clutter. But if you are having a home showing, you can't use the weather as reason for the chaotic and cluttered state of your home. Have a place to hide coats and all-weather boots. Prepare a "clutter basket" for a quick cleanup should there be a surprise showing.
Stage your home for the season
The goal is to stage your home to be cozy, toasty and inviting. During a home showing, it's a good idea to have the fireplace on but low. To create that cozy ambiance, stage your seating with a Fair Isle throw with snowflakes and reindeer details and big fully pillows on the floor. If you want to step up your game, prepare apple cider with cinnamon to have that distinct smell of fall around the house. Make some DIY door décor out of beautiful gold and red leaves that have fallen in your neighborhood.
Tout the neighborhood
Sell your home by showing potential buyers how great the community is. In your buyer's album, showcase the neighborhood's bike path, playground, and community center. Also, make a map that shows how convenient it is to get to various amenities such as the grocery store, train stop, as well as unique places like the book shop, dog groomer, or a quaint coffee shop down the road.
