Spring may get much of the attention when it comes to selling a home, but that doesn’t mean fall is a bad time to put your house on the market.
In fact, fall can be an appealing time to sell. Some buyers who are shopping this time of year may be motivated by a job change, a growing family, an upcoming move, or simply a desire to settle into a new home before the holidays.
But if you’re planning to sell your home this fall, don’t wait until the listing goes live to start preparing.
A little work now can help your home make a better first impression, give you time to address problems, and make the selling process less stressful.
Here’s what to do before you put that “For Sale” sign in the yard.
1. Decide If Fall Is the Right Time for You to Sell
There isn’t one perfect season to sell a home.
Your local housing market, your timeline, your home’s condition, and your personal circumstances all play a role. Your real estate agent can help you understand what’s happening in your local market and whether your home is positioned well for a fall listing.
But if fall works for your situation, don’t assume you’ll be at a disadvantage simply because summer is nearly over.
There may also be less competition from homeowners who chose to list during the busier spring and summer months. And buyers who are still actively looking in the fall may be serious about finding a home.
Once you’ve decided to move forward, give yourself enough time to prepare the house properly.
2. Walk Through Your Home Like a Buyer
You’ve probably stopped noticing the little things around your house.
That’s normal. When you live somewhere for years, the squeaky door, scuffed baseboard, or overstuffed closet becomes part of the background.
A buyer sees it differently.
Walk through your home as though you’re seeing it for the first time.
Look for:
- ⬥ Scuffed walls
- ⬥ Damaged trim
- ⬥ Burned-out light bulbs
- ⬥ Leaky faucets
- ⬥ Loose cabinet handles
- ⬥ Sticking doors
- ⬥ Worn caulking
- ⬥ Cluttered countertops
- ⬥ Overstuffed closets
- ⬥ Unpleasant odors
- ⬥ Areas that aren’t clean or well maintained
You don’t need to make your home perfect. But you do want to eliminate the little things that can make buyers wonder what else hasn’t been maintained.
3. Take Care of the Little Repairs
You don’t necessarily need to undertake a major renovation before selling.
In many cases, smaller repairs can have a bigger impact than you might expect.
Fix that door that never closes correctly. Patch the hole in the wall. Replace the cracked switch plate. Tighten the loose railing.
Make a list of these projects and decide which ones are worth tackling before you list your home.
And if your list is longer than your weekend, this may be a good time to call a handyman.
A reliable handyman can help you knock out several small projects at once, leaving you with one less thing to worry about as your listing date approaches.
4. Give Your Exterior a Fall Refresh
Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see, so curb appeal still matters even after the summer flowers have faded.
Fortunately, fall gives you plenty of opportunities to make the outside of your home look cared for.
Start with the basics:
- ⬥ Rake leaves and remove debris.
- ⬥ Clean gutters and downspouts.
- ⬥ Trim overgrown shrubs.
- ⬥ Remove dead plants.
- ⬥ Clean the front door.
- ⬥ Wash windows.
- ⬥ Sweep porches, walkways, and steps.
- ⬥ Replace burned-out exterior bulbs.
- ⬥ Add a few tasteful seasonal plants or containers.
You don’t need to turn your front yard into a landscaping showcase.
You simply want buyers to pull up and think, “This home looks well cared for.”
5. Make the Inside Feel Warm and Inviting
One advantage of selling in the fall is that the season naturally lends itself to creating a cozy atmosphere.
Think warm and welcoming rather than heavily decorated.
Turn on lamps and other lighting before showings. Open curtains and blinds during the day. Add a few comfortable textiles and make sure rooms feel inviting without being cluttered.
If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s clean and presentable.
And go easy on the pumpkins and other seasonal decorations. A little fall décor can make a home feel welcoming. Too much can distract buyers from the actual house.
The goal is for buyers to picture themselves living there, not attending your Halloween party.
6. Declutter Before You Stage
One of the most important things you can do before selling is also one of the least expensive:
Get rid of stuff.
You want buyers to see your home’s space, not everything you’ve accumulated over the years.
Start with the areas buyers are likely to pay close attention to:
- ⬥ Kitchen counters and cabinets
- ⬥ Bathroom counters and cabinets
- ⬥ Closets
- ⬥ Pantry
- ⬥ Garage
- ⬥ Basement
- ⬥ Attic
- ⬥ Entryway
As you work, divide items into categories such as keep, donate, sell, recycle, and discard.
And don’t just shove everything into the garage.
Buyers look there, too.
If you’re struggling to decide what to keep, ask yourself whether you would choose to pack the item and move it to your next home.
If the answer is no, this may be the perfect time to let it go.
7. Gather Your Home Improvement Records
Here’s a step many sellers overlook.
Start gathering information about your home’s history before you need it.
Buyers may have questions about things such as:
- ⬥ When was the roof replaced?
- ⬥ How old is the HVAC system?
- ⬥ When were the windows installed?
- ⬥ What appliances are included?
- ⬥ When was the kitchen remodeled?
- ⬥ Were there any major repairs?
- ⬥ Are there transferable warranties?
- ⬥ Who completed previous work?
If you’ve kept receipts, warranties, contractor information, and maintenance records, now is the time to pull everything together.
This is also where a home management system can be particularly useful.
With HomeZada, you can keep track of your home’s improvements, maintenance history, appliances, documents, and inventory in one place. Instead of hunting through filing cabinets and old emails when questions arise, you have the information organized and ready to go.
8. Don’t Forget About Your Listing Photos
Fall can be beautiful, but it can also present some challenges for real estate photography.
If your home is surrounded by colorful foliage, make sure the yard is tidy and the landscaping is looking its best when photos are taken.
Inside, clean your windows and maximize natural light.
Before the photographer arrives:
- ⬥ Turn on lights.
- ⬥ Open curtains and blinds.
- ⬥ Clear countertops.
- ⬥ Remove unnecessary personal items.
- ⬥ Make beds.
- ⬥ Straighten furniture.
- ⬥ Clean reflective surfaces.
- ⬥ Put away seasonal clutter.
If you’re preparing your home early in the fall, consider asking your agent about the timing of photography. You want your listing photos to show the home at its best.
9. Prepare for Fall Showings
Once your home is listed, you don’t want every showing to turn into a frantic 30-minute cleaning session.
Create a simple routine you can follow before buyers arrive.
Check that:
- ⬥ Lights are on.
- ⬥ The temperature is comfortable.
- ⬥ Leaves are cleared from the entry.
- ⬥ Counters are clean.
- ⬥ Beds are made.
- ⬥ Pets are secured.
- ⬥ Trash has been removed.
- ⬥ The house smells clean and fresh.
- ⬥ The entryway is uncluttered.
If you have children or pets, create a quick “showing basket” or designated place to gather everyday clutter when you get a last-minute showing request.
The easier you make the process, the less stressful selling will feel.
10. Create a Seller’s Home File
Selling your home involves a surprising amount of information.
Rather than waiting until your real estate agent or buyer’s inspector asks for something, create a central location for your home’s important records.
Include things such as:
- ⬥ Home improvement records
- ⬥ Maintenance history
- ⬥ Appliance information
- ⬥ Warranties
- ⬥ Receipts
- ⬥ Contractor contacts
- ⬥ Home inventory
- ⬥ Insurance information
- ⬥ Inspection reports
- ⬥ Important documents
Having this information organized can also help you remember improvements you’ve made over the years that you might otherwise forget to mention.
HomeZada can help you maintain these records throughout your homeownership, so preparing for a sale becomes more about gathering information than reconstructing your home’s history from memory.
Don’t Wait Until the Sign Goes in the Yard
Selling a home in the fall doesn’t have to mean rushing to get everything done at the last minute.
Start with a walk-through. Make a list of repairs. Declutter the rooms and storage areas. Freshen up your exterior. Create a warm, inviting interior. And gather your home’s important records.
You may discover that some projects aren’t worth doing before you sell. Others may be relatively inexpensive fixes that can make a noticeable difference.
The key is knowing what needs attention before buyers start walking through the door.
And when your home’s maintenance history, improvements, documents, and inventory are already organized, you’ll have one less thing to scramble to pull together when it’s time to sell.
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