Autumn typically isn’t the most popular time for people to buy houses and move. Their kids are back in school, the holidays are coming, and life is busy. However, some people will still be on the market, and if you are smart about your selling strategies, fall can provide you with some great opportunities to market your home.
To help you out, we’ve provided some of the top tips that will help you sell your house quickly and for a great price during this special season.
1. Make Sure Your Yard Looks Great
Nothing feels less inviting than an unkempt yard covered in leaves and debris. Unfortunately, fall is usually when we start letting our landscaping and curb appeal fall by the wayside.
Just because flowers aren’t in season and winter is coming doesn’t mean you should shirk your yard responsibilities. According to HomeLight, a well-landscaped home is likely to fetch up to 12.7 percent more than one that has no landscaping. Additionally, 99 percent of realtors believe that curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer in the first place.
Here are some ways to make your home look stunning, even when the leaves start to fall:
- Rake up fallen leaves and remove them from the property.
- Invest in home lighting that makes your porch and windows look extra cozy and welcoming.
- Put a few autumn-themed decorations on the porch to invite people in.
- Hang a wreath on the front door to add a bit of color once your flower beds are wilting.
- Remove dead trees, flowers, or other plants that are eyesores.
2. Embrace the Essence of the Season
Did you know that there’s a scientific reason that many people love the fall season? No, it’s not just because we like Halloween and pumpkin spice lattes.
It’s because, from a very young age, we are conditioned to think that autumn marks the beginning of a season of excitement. From holidays to new school years and time with friends and family, autumn heralds the beginning of a new wave of enjoyment for everyone. It’s a “temporal landmark” that marks a fresh slate with the start of a new season.
As a home seller, you can certainly tap into this love of fall and expectation of new experiences. Tap into everything that makes people feel excited about the changing of the seasons. Whether it’s putting out pumpkin-flavored treats or making hot chocolate during an open house, people will embrace everything that marks the season and everything it stands for.
Another thing people adore about fall is the feeling of coziness that it brings as the weather shifts from hot to cold. Sweaters, fireplaces, scented candles, and warm treats all go hand-in-hand with the upcoming months. People want to feel warm and comfortable as winter makes its quick approach.
Play into this feeling of coziness when people visit your house. Make it feel warm and welcoming by baking, setting the mood with some music, and decorating to match the season. When it comes to embracing the feel of autumn, you can never have too many orange decorations or lovely scented items scattered throughout the home.
3. Highlight Year-Round Aspects of Your Home
Now that we’ve talked about making your home match the feeling of fall, let’s remember that a buyer is going to live in this house during every season. You might be excited to showcase your fireplace and winter-related benefits at this time of year, but remember to highlight all of your home’s seasonal benefits.
For example, even if you live in a place where AC isn’t used during the fall, it’s important to buyers that your home is equipped with an up-to-date air conditioning system, even if it’s winter.
AC is an extremely important (and expensive) component of a home. Be sure you are 100% clear about the system. If you need some help here, consult an air conditioning guide to present the home’s AC features in the best light.
Additionally, things like a swimming pool or outdoor entertainment system should still be showcased, even if they aren’t usable during the current month.
Another great idea is to show potential buyers pictures of what your home looks like year-round. Let them see how pretty it is when the grass is green and the flowers are blooming. Show them how gorgeous the front lawn looks when it snows. This will help buyers envision themselves living in your home during every season.
4. Warm Things Up
We mean this tip both literally and figuratively. Beyond maximizing the coziness of your home by baking and decorating for fall, but you should also apply the concept of warmth to your lighting.
Did you know that lighting can actually impact people’s emotions?
For instance, blue light (like the kind from our cellular devices) can make people feel energetic and productive. Bright light can heighten emotions, especially ones that are positive and exciting.
In general, natural light is what makes us feel the happiest. It can even combat problems with seasonal depression caused by spending less time outdoors and in the sun. So, if your house doesn’t receive a lot of natural lighting, you’ll need to mimic it as best as you can. Look into natural lighting solutions that can make people feel comfortable as soon as they set foot in your house.
You may also want to consider implementing some accent lighting that draws shoppers’ eyes to specific features of your home. For example, you could light up the beautiful fall decorations on your mantle or draw people’s eyes to the wall space that’s perfect for hanging family photos.
We all love fall for our own reasons. Whether you’re super pumped to pick out a Halloween costume or just excited to embrace some cooler temperatures, it’s a season we can all look forward to.
When selling a house during autumn, try to apply those same feelings of excitement, warmth, and happiness to your building. People will feel right at home in a space where they can envision spending holidays together in the future.
About Author: Amy McConaghy is Reliance Home Comfort’s Digital Marketing Specialist, managing the editorial, video and visual content creation for all digital platforms. Amy’s writing is focused on bringing energy and money saving tips to Canadians and answering homeowner’s questions about all their home comfort needs. You can find Amy on LinkedIn.
