This month, we’d like to bring you some tips about selling and staging a home for the Autumn market. From decorating to Fall cleaning, there are some simple steps you can take to improve the appeal of your home this fall. Let’s get the right buyer in the door between now and the Christmas shopping rush.
The Autumn Market is Hot
The crisp in the air, leaves changing, pumpkin flavored everything! Fall has arrived. While the Spring Real Estate Market is the hottest time to sell a home, Fall doesn’t lag far behind. Kids have gone back to school, life has settled into a routine again, people have time to sell and to buy before the stress of the Winter holidays sets in. The Fed has recently raised mortgage rates slightly, and buyers are getting anxious to lock in the lowest rates they can. If you have been considering selling a home, now is a great time. At Coastal Point Properties, we have the experience and knowledge to market your home successfully. We will need a little bit of help from you though. Decorating for Fall is comforting and cozy. Home stagers recommend minimal personal items in the home. In this article, we will discuss how to reconcile those dueling ideas to successfully stage your home for the bustling Autumn Market.
Less is More
When decorating your home for Autumn this year, tone it back a little bit. This is not the year to turn your living room into a haunted maze- fun as it may be! When decorating your home for sale, choose simple, universal themes. Bring some fall colors indoors with russet and orange throw pillows and blankets. Add some pumpkins to the mantle and dining room table. Keep it simple and classic.
Light it Up!
The days are getting shorter, and human beings still crave the light. Turn on all the lights in your home for showings and open houses. Clean your windows to take advantage of the little natural light left. Try decorating with a classy mirror in a darker room to reflect more light. Bright rooms will feel cleaner and more inviting to buyers.
Scent Sensational
In warmer weather, airing out the house is as easy as opening a window and letting the fresh scent of new grass and blooms in. The temperatures are starting to drop in Autumn, so that solution is less viable. Make sure that you change your furnace and HVAC filters, dust radiators, or clean out ducts. As the heat runs, a dirty system creates a musty smell in the house. Buyers do not like musty. Additionally, burn some seasonal scented candles, like apple or pumpkin spice. If your agent is hosting an open house, encourage them to bake a pumpkin loaf or banana bread for prospective buyers. Everyone likes a little snack during their house shopping and the smell of baked goods makes people feel at home.
Fire it Up!
If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, make sure to put it to good use during showings and open houses. The smell of burning wood outside a home preps buyers for that cozy warmth only experienced near the hearth. Make sure the hearth and chimney are clean and functional to avoid smoke inside the house!
Clean and Seasonal Exterior
Curb appeal is as important in the Fall as it is in the Spring. Make sure to rake those fallen leaves, clean up flower beds, and store summer toys. Consider some potted mums or aster to brighten up a porch or deck. A nice Fall wreath and some pumpkins on the stairs or rock wall go a long way. Autumn is also a great time to re-stain decks and pressure wash siding. Remember, the first glimpse a buyer will get of your home is from the driveway. Make a great impression!
Trick or Treat?
Open houses attract buyers when marketed properly. If you want to try something a bit different than the standard house showing, ask your agent if they would be willing to host a Fall themed get together with potential buyers and leads. Invite some of your own friends who might have connections to prospective buyers. Offer seasonal cocktails, make it a costume party, or have a muffin tasting. Think outside the box to get more people in the door while your house is on the market.
Coastal Point Properties has You Covered
For more in depth information on marketing your specific property, get in touch with us! We would love to offer you a free market analysis, discuss pricing your property, and offer home staging services. With decades of combined experience selling homes in New England, we’ve got you covered this Fall.
