7 Great Tips For Selling Your House in the Fall

7 Great Tips for Fall Home Sellers

The Twin Cities real estate market has been strong throughout the spring and summer, and according to housing market analysts, we are experiencing one of the best housing markets of the last 15 years. So if you planned to sell your home this year but missed the spring and summer home-selling season, don’t despair or feel you need to wait until next spring to sell your home. Autumn happens to be the second best season for home sales.

Going into the cooler months always brings a seasonal adjustment in inventory levels. According to the weekly report from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors, for the week ending September 19^th, new listings decreased 0.4% to 1,613 and inventory 13.8% to 16,606. So fewer houses on the market, increase your chances of finding a buyer. Speaking of buyers…

While families with children tend to make their move in spring and be situated in their new homes for the start of the school year, job changes and relocations go on all year so there will be families out there looking for homes. Additionally, many millennials and empty nesters tend to wait until fall with hopes of being in their new home before the winter holidays arrive.  Easier mortgage approvals coupled with interest rates remaining low, sweeten the deal. Buyers are inspired.

To get you ready and help with that selling decision, here are 7 tips that will take turn your "home for sale" to "home sold" when you list your property this autumn.

1. Autumn Curb Appeal

No matter what season, the exterior should be clean and tidy. The windows should sparkle and the front entrance should be welcoming and inviting. Place a pot or two of chrysanthemums beside the door. Add a pumpkin as an accent and an autumn-inspired wreath on the door. Home Stories blog has some great examples and ideas for your fall front door. Trim the lawn, rake the leaves, and plant a few chrysanthemums and asters to brighten up the flower beds. Make sure you include yellow for bright pops of color. Nothing is more welcoming than lights and since the sun will be setting sooner, consider adding some solar lighting along a front walkway and in your flower beds. For some great examples and suggestions check out this post on HGTV.

2. Fall Home Staging

Don’t overlook or dismiss opportunities to show off the colors of fall indoors as well. Add some vibrant pillow accents in russet, green or gold. Add touches of plaid or paisley fabrics. Create a beautiful centerpiece for the dining room table that reflects the mood of the season.  A vase of fall foliage in the foyer and a bowl of apples on the kitchen counter is also a nice touch that says fall.  Warmer metal tones are definitely trending now so consider adding touches of brass or gold to your décor. Need some motivation? An abundance of ideas for home and garden both lavish and simple can be found on the Houzz website, so be prepared to be inspired.

3.  Cozy Up the Living Space

As temperatures drop, warm and cozy become the catchwords of the season. Make your home look so inviting, buyers will never want to leave and boom, there is your purchase offer! Create an ultra- cozy environment with fabrics; a throw draped over a comfy chair, or the sofa, a quilt hung on the wall or folded at the foot of the bed. Add a runner to your dining table and consider covering up that bare wood floor with an accent rug. Hang drapes in deeper colors and heavier fabrics. For open houses, simmer some cinnamon sticks on the stovetop or heat some cider in a slow cooker. If you have a gas fireplace turn it on and if there is a mantel decorate it for autumn.  You will find some great tips for dressing up your fireplace on Better Homes and Gardens.

4. Be Move in Ready

Having your home prepared for winter will be appreciated by prospective buyers. For top efficiency and safety have the furnace inspected and cleaned. Keep the warm air in by sealing up air leaks in your home with caulking and weatherstripping. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned. Clean the gutters. Moving is stressful enough and a new home owner will truly appreciate not having to worry about what needs to be done to winterize their new home.  Energy.gov has some great tips to help you prepare for the winter.

5. Tailor Your Homes Selling Points to Young Buyers

As we mentioned earlier, the fall market tends to be comprised of first time home buyers or millennials and empty nesters who are generally downsizing. Millennials tend to be technology oriented so if you have smart technology like video monitoring systems, smart garage door openers, smart locks or a total smart home controlling system we need to hear about it.  Media rooms and a home office are also features younger buyers find appealing.  The location is another hot button. Younger buyers want great access to the Metro with public transit within walking distance as another option. They are keen on recreational facilities, hiking and biking trails close to home. If your home has environmentally friendly features, that is also a big plus. 

6. Don’t Neglect the Downsizing Empty Nester

Generally speaking, boomers that are downsizing generally look for quality over quantity. The more refined, upscale touches and quality finishes appeal to this discriminating buyer. This buyer tends to want a versatile floor plan, with space that can be used for a home office, craft room, and definitely space to accommodate overnight guests like grown children and grandchildren. Low maintenance exteriors and interiors are high on the desirability list since boomers are looking to spend more time at enjoying leisure and less maintaining their home. As they plan ahead for aging in place, a main level master suite can be a great selling point in this market. Ditto for a location with shopping and dining options close at hand and access to public transportation.

7. Accentuate the Positives of the Fall Season

Since we are going into the winter months, let’s point out any features of your home in regards to energy efficiency or cost savings. Let’s boast about your energy efficient appliances, tankless water heater, low flow faucets, newer heating system, triple pane windows, high-tech programmable thermostats, solar power systems or geothermal heat pumps.  If you think you might need to up the ante, check out This Old House for 4 energy efficient updates you can make without breaking the bank. Other great selling points might be a fall and winter water view, proximity to cross country ski trails, or an ice-skating pond or lake.

Since every season presents unique opportunities to showcase your home, we want you to use this beautiful season to your advantage so your home stands out and gets noticed. Are you ready to become a fall seller?

Whether it’s all systems go or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call, email or text me. My team and I are here to help.

Joe Houghton  763-300-2702  myrealtorjoe@gmail.com

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