Sure, the spring season is the peak time to put a house on the market. But with the cooler weather, vibrant-colored trees and falling leaves, picking apples, carving pumpkins, and enjoying turkey dinners, there's plenty to look forward to when fall comes. One of them could be a successful home sale if you plan to put your home on the market this season. 

Housing inventory during fall tends to be lower than it is in the spring and summer months, so sellers might be more likely to attract serious autumn buyers. But to successfully sell your home, you might as well need to consider a few different approaches. Keep on reading to get a list of worthy tips that take your house from “For Sale” to “Sold” before the last leaf falls.

 

Boost your home's curb appeal.

Nothing screams autumn more than the gorgeous leaves falling, spreading warm colors in your backyard. However, keeping on top of yard cleanup is also one of the biggest challenges home sellers face in the fall. Because no matter how beautiful fall leaves are, they can make your whole house look untidy if not cleaned up regularly. So don’t forget to cross off these items on your to-do list:

  • Rake up dead leaves and plants, tree branches, and other debris from your lawn daily. Trim hedges and tree limbs that could pose hazards to guests. Likewise, give special attention to any overgrown vegetation that could block the windows or any paths.

  • Clean the gutters. The last thing you'd want is for dead leaves to cause a bunch of damage to your home’s gutter system. If there are piles of leaves in the gutters, it is time to clean them out.

  • Add some popular fall flowers, such as chrysanthemums and marigolds. You can also add other colorful, seasonal planters on the steps and along the sidewalk.

Other simple projects, such as washing the driveway and sidewalks, or giving your front door a fresh coat of paint, can go a long way in boosting curb appeal so buyers will be drawn the second they see your home.

 

Embrace the season, but don't go overboard with the decor.

Feel free to incorporate the colors and spirit of fall in your living spaces. Add a quilt or throw pillows in bright red, orange, and/or golden yellow hues over your sofa or an entry bench. Use seasonal decor — think apples, pumpkins, wreaths of fall leaves and pine cones, cinnamon, and unscented candles — to create a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere

The one thing you should never do: is overdoing your decor. Skip the scary Halloween decorations if you're having an open house or showing around that time since they can appear messy and distracting. The last thing you want is for a potential buyer to walk in your front door to be greeted by a bloody skeleton or sticky cobwebs hanging from your entryway ceiling fan. Try to be tactful and subtle with your decorations to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.

 

Let there be more light.

Fall months mean shorter days, which means you can't depend on natural lighting to showcase your home’s best features. Plenty of potential buyers will want to look at homes when they get out from work, and nobody wants to walk into a dark and gloomy home when it’s already dark and chilly outside.

The key is to maximize light to make your home look warmer and more inviting. It's also important to brighten up your house so that buyers can see your home’s best features. To accomplish this, consider bringing in extra tables and floor lamps to rooms with dark corners. You can also place spotlights throughout your home behind your furniture. You may also install under cabinet lights in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as additional lighting around staircases and walkways. Another popular tip is to refresh interior paint with warm neutral tones, which will reflect more light.

If your home’s exterior lighting currently feels lackluster, consider these creative but inexpensive lighting solutions to amplify your home’s appeal:

  • Add solar lights along walkways

  • Illuminate outdoor lounge spaces, including your porch or deck, with cafe or bistro lights to create a cozy ambiance.

 

Aim for spotless and well-maintained windows.

Summer thunderstorms can make your windows dusty and streaked, with layers of dirt covering the exterior window trim, by the time fall rolls around. You might not give it much attention, but buyers will definitely spot any smudges. Before you start showing your house, your windows have to sparkle to make a good impression. This will also help let in as much light as possible.

Wash your windows and any glass panels in your doors inside and out. Remove the screens and spray them down to get rid of any accumulated dust and dirt. Don't forget to clean the exterior window frames. While you’re at it, check window seals and doors for drafts, and make extra efforts to insulate when needed since drafts are more noticeable in the fall.

 

Give your HVAC some TLC.

Depending on the region, fall months might feel damp and cold. When potential buyers walk through your home, it should feel warm and welcoming. This is why it's more important than ever to ensure that your HVAC systems are in good shape. Having your furnace inspected and cleaned by an HVAC specialist before selling your home can be beneficial as you can provide the receipt as proof it has already been completed. Also, remember to replace the furnace filter to help reduce any odors or fall allergens in the home and keep it smelling fresh.


12 Reasons Why This is a Better Market for Buyers

I TALKED TO A LOT OF POTENTIAL BUYERS AND SELLERS EVERY DAY WITH WHAT I DO AND INEVITABLY A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY I'M GONNA HAVE PEOPLE THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH JUST SAY, I'M GONNA WAIT TO BUY. I'M JUST GONNA WAIT AND YOU KNOW, IN MY HEAD, I'M THINKING, WAIT FOR WHAT YOU THINK, INTEREST RATES ARE GONNA GO BACK DOWN TO TWO OR 3%. I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA SEE THAT AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIMES. I REALLY DON'T UM I HOPE I'M WRONG ABOUT THAT. UM BUT I JUST, I DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING. WHERE THE PRICES AREN'T CRASHING DOWN. WE'RE STILL, IT'S STILL A SELLER'S MARKET, THERE'S STILL UM MUCH MORE DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY OF HOMES. AGAIN, I STARTED THINKING, I GO, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY THE MARKET IS BETTER FOR BUYERS AS WE SIT HERE IN THE, YOU KNOW,THE LAST QUARTER OF 2022 VERSUS HOW THINGS WERE FOR YEARS ENDING IN WHEN THE MARKET SHIFTED RIGHT AROUND EASTER THIS YEAR. THAT'S WHEN THE MARKET CHANGED. SO I CAME UP WITH 12 PROS AND ONLY ONE CON. SO LET ME SHARE THOSE WITH YOU.

 

PRO NUMBER ONE IS A SELLER PAID CLOSING COSTS. THESE SELLERS WERE NOT PAYING ANYTHING UH FOR YEARS, IN MOST INSTANCES, YOU KNOW, THEY PAY THEIR, THEIR REAL ESTATE FEES, DOC STAMPS IN THE DEED, BUT YOU'RE BUYING, YOU KNOW, YOU AS THE BUYER WOULDN'T WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE. WE'RE GETTING SELLERS TO PAY, CLOSING COSTS IN SOME INSTANCES NOW AS A NEGOTIATION POINT. SO THAT'S EXCITING. IT'S LESS OUT OF POCKET FOR THE BUYERS.

 

THE SECOND REASON IS SELLER PAID RATE BY DOWN. WHAT WE'RE DOING IN SOME INSTANCES IS RATHER THAN REDUCE THE PRICE, WE'RE TAKING THAT MONEY THAT YOU WOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THE SELLER AND HAVING THE SELLER BY YOUR RATE DOWN. SO I MEAN THAT'S EXCITING TO BUY IT DOWN. MAYBE, AS WE'RE SITTING HERE IN OCTOBER, THERE ARE 7%, YOU CAN BUY IT DOWN TO SIX, MAYBE EVEN FIVE. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE PAST.
 

THE THIRD IS THE SELLER PAID TO ONE RATE BY DOWN. AND WHAT THAT IS IT'S A NEW, IT'S A NEW PROGRAM THAT A LOT OF LENDERS HAVE WHERE THE SELLER BUYS DOWN YOUR RATE AND IT'S 2% LESS THE FIRST YEAR. SO IF IT'S 7% YOU'D PAY 5% THE SECOND YEAR, IT'S 1% LESS. SO IF IT'S 7% YOU PAID SIX AND THE THIRD, YOU'D BE AT SEVEN IN THE THIRD AND BEYOND, YOU'D BE AT 7%. OKAY? BUT HERE'S THE DEAL WITH THAT THAT GETS YOU THAT GETS YOU ABLE TO AFFORD MORE HOUSE HERE IN THE SHORT TERM AND THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER,ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN IN THE IN THE FUTURE EITHER THE FIXED INTEREST RATES ARE GONNA COME DOWN SO YOU CAN REFINANCE OR THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER LENDING PRODUCTS THAT ARE GONNA COME OUT MAYBE ARMS UM LOOK THEM UP WITH OTHER SOLUTIONS TO,BECAUSE AFFORDABILITY IS AN ISSUE NOW WITH THE RATES GOING UP IN THE PRICE INCREASES IN RECENT YEARS. SO THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION FOR YOU ON THE TABLE.

THE FOURTH REASON WHY BUYING A HOME CAN BE BETTER HERE NOW AT THIS POINT IN 2022 THAN IN RECENT YEARS IS SELLER PAID REPAIRS. UM YOU KNOW, SELLERS DIDN’T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. IN FACT, THEY SOME OF THEM DIDN'T EVEN WANT BUYERS TO HAVE INSPECTIONS FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES. NOW THE SELLER IS THE SELLERS ARE GOING AHEAD AND MAKING YOU KNOW, REPAIRS ON THEIR PROPERTY BEFORE PUTTING THEM ON THE MARKET. THEY'RE REPLACING ROOFS, YOU KNOW, IF THEY NEED TO REPLACE ROOFS AND THERE'S ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT THE SELLERS ARE WILLING TO DO THAT THEY WERE RESISTANT TO DO IN RECENT YEARS JUST BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH DEMAND.

 

THE 5TH REASON IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOME IS SELLER PAID IMPROVEMENTS. SELLERS ARE GOING AHEAD AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR HOME PRIOR TO PUTTING THEM ON THE MARKET WHERE UM YOU KNOW, WHEREAS BEFORE THERE WAS JUST ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO, SO, YOU KNOW, YOU AS THE BUYER ARE GONNA BENEFIT FROM THAT BE THE ONE THAT WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THAT.

 

THE SIX POINT OF WHY THIS IS A BETTER HOME FOR A BUYER TO BUY TO BUY MARKET IN RECENT YEARS IS PRICE NEGOTIATION. THERE WAS NO NEGOTIATION AND PRICE PREVIOUSLY IT WAS, HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY OVER LIST PRICE? TO TRY TO GET THE HOME RIGHT AS CRAZY AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE PAYING, YOU KNOW, $6100 OVER LIST PRICE. THEY WERE GIVING AWAY THEIR SEASON FOOTBALL TICKETS. I MEAN, MAD TRIPS, its MADNESS. OKAY, ALL THAT'S GONE. SO WE'VE GOT PRICE NEGOTIATION NOW, THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

 

THE 7TH REASON WHY THERE'S IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOME HERE IN THIS MARKET THAN THE PREVIOUS MARKET IS YOU PAY LESS THAN ASKING PRICE. RIGHT? YOU FIND OUT IF THERE'S ANY OTHER COMPETING OFFERS, IF THEY'RE NOT, WE CAN NEGOTIATE A LITTLE BIT RIGHT? SO, I MEAN, THAT'S EXCITING, YOU GET A BETTER DEAL THAT WAY.

 

THE 8TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOUSE IN THIS MARKET THAN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIVE INSPECTIONS, OKAY, WAIVING INSPECTIONS IS A TEAR. IT WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA, BUT I MEAN, PEOPLE HAD TO DO IT TO GET A HOUSE RIGHT? UM YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS AS YOU WANTED TO BE BEFORE YOU BECOME THE OWNER OF THAT HOME AND UM, YOU KNOW, NOW WE'VE GOT TIME TO DO INSPECTIONS AGAIN AND JUST MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT'S THE SMART INVESTMENT FOR YOU. SO THAT'S BACK IN PLAY.

THE 9TH REASON WHY THE MARKET IS BETTER NOW FOR BUYERS THAN IT WAS IN THE RECENT HOT MARKET IS INSPECTION NEGOTIATIONS, OKAY. UM, EVERYTHING WAS AS IS BEFORE FOR THE MOST PART, OR VERY, VERY SMALL, REPAIR LIMITS THAT WERE PUT ON THE, PUT ON THE CONTRACTS AND UH, NOW YOU CAN GET STUFF FIXED. YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOT EASIER. IT'S A LOT EASIER TO GET A FIXED SELLER, TAKE CARE OF IT BEFORE YOU MOVE IN AND THEN HAVE IT BE YOUR PROBLEM ONCE YOU BUY IT.

 

 

THE 10TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER FOR BUYERS TO BUY NOW THAN IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET IS YOU GOT TIME TO THINK IT OVER RIGHT SO MANY BUYERS JUST NEEDED A HOUSE, RIGHT? AND I MEAN, IT'S LIKE, YOU GOTTA, YOU GOTTA DECIDE RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, IT'S IN, YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES THE BUYERS WERE SETTLING FOR A LOT OF STUFF THEY REALLY DIDN'T WANT JUST BECAUSE THEY NEEDED A PLACE TO LIVE. SO YOU GOT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO THINK THINGS OVER AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS GONNA BE THE RIGHT MOVE FOR YOU.

 

 

THE 11TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOME IN THIS MARKET THAN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET IS YOU CAN HAVE CONTINGENCY CON CLAUSES IN YOUR CONTRACT, YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT, I MEAN, PREVIOUSLY, IF YOU HAD A CONTINGENCY CLAUSE, WHY WOULD THE SELLER EXCEPT THAT WHEN THERE'S YOU KNOW 10 OTHER OFFERS OR 20 OTHER OFFERS THAT DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT? MAYBE GOT A HOME TO SELL. NOW YOU CAN FIND A HOUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'LL FIND A SELLER THAT'LL TAKE A CONTINGENCY ON THE SALE OF YOUR HOME AND YOU CAN TIME EVERYTHING BETTER THAT WAY AND YOU KNOW, HAVE A LOT LESS STRESS.

 

 

THE 12TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER FOR BUYERS TODAY THAN IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET IS YOU'VE GOT LONGER CONTRACT TO CLOSE IF YOU WANT IT RIGHT THERE, THEY'RE NOT PUSHING TOO CLOSE AND YOU KNOW, 20 OR 30 DAYS LIKE THEY WERE IN THE PREVIOUS MARKET. SO YOU'VE GOT LONGER TIMEFRAMES, YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU'VE GOT A HOME TO SELL OR YOU KNOW, YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO MOVE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, YOU NEGOTIATE IT OUT NOW.

AND OF COURSE, THE ONE CON OF BUYING TODAY AND IT'S A VERY SHORT LIST IS THAT INTEREST RATES ARE HIGHER, RIGHT? UM YES, THERE'S STILL HISTORICALLY LOW EVEN AT 7%, BUT IT'S A LOT HIGHER THAN THREE. AND UH WE UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT YOU KNOW, LIKE WE ALWAYS SAY UM MARRY THE HOUSE AND DATE THE RATE UM THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK DOWN. I MEAN THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER PRODUCTS THAT ARE GONNA SHOW UP. UM IT'S A LOT BETTER TO BUY AT 7% THAN IT IS IF IT GOES UP TO 10 OR 12 AND THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY SMART PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE SAYING IT'S GONNA GO UP TO 10 OR 12 BEFORE THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE. SO 7% ISN'T GONNA LOOK SO BAD WHEN THAT DAY COMES. SO AND AGAIN LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN ALWAYS REFINANCE LATER IF YOU WANTED TO. UM THERE'S GONNA BE ALL SORTS OF OTHER PRODUCTS THAT WILL COME OUT. BUT YOU KNOW AT LEAST YOU CAN GET THE HOME YOU WANT AND LIVE YOUR LIFE. AND WHEN THAT DAY COMES YOU'LL HAVE OTHER OPTIONS. IF I CAN HELP YOU WITH ANYTHING BUYING OR SELLING, JUST REACH OUT TO ME. YOU CAN IF YOU'RE SEEING THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, GO AHEAD AND DIRECT MESSAGE ME, I'LL BE THE ONE ANSWERING YOU SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO IF YOU TALK TO ME I WILL BE THE ONE TALKING TO BACK, IT WON'T BE AN ASSISTANT, IT'LL BE ME. AND SO JUST KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING. IF HE COULD AND UM IF YOU PREFER YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT ME AT 85O-677-1630. YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL GO AHEAD AND LIKE THIS, SHARE IT WITH ANYBODY THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW UM PUT IN THE COMMENTS WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS PROS AND CONS LIST. AND UM IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM YOU CAN FOLLOW ME @MEETSCOTTGREGORY, LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU SOON. TAKE CARE!

 

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