To everything, there is a season, and real estate is no exception. It’s no secret that spring and summer are the peak time of year to sell a house — But that doesn’t mean you can’t sell for a great price any time of the year. If you’re thinking about selling your home in the fall real estate market, here are some essential hints and tips to make the process as easy as possible.
What is the fall real estate season like?
Housing inventory in the fall tends to be lower compared to the spring and summer. This means that there are fewer sellers to compete against, and in turn, more buyers to attract. In fact, buyers shopping for homes in the fall are usually more serious and less likely to be window-shopping — especially if they missed out during the summer sales season. The relocation market also tends to pick up during the fall, with many companies waiting for the summer rush to end before relocating their employees.
Advantages of Selling During the Fall Real Estate Season
There are many advantages to selling your home during the fall real estate season. Here are some of the biggest benefits:
- Many buyers are motivated to close on their new home before the start of the holiday season and Christmas.
- Fall is the perfect time to make your home warm and welcoming to buyers by staging it with cozy decor.
- More than half of buyers don’t have children under 18 at home, so their home search isn’t dependent on the school year — making fall as a time as any to sell your home.
Top Tips for Selling Your Home During Fall
Move quickly
If you need to sell you home quickly, it’s much easier to do it in the fall, rather than in the depths of winter. Bad weather, busy holiday schedules, and travel plans can make your potential buyer pool shrink significantly. It’s essential to capitalize on the time you have while the weather is still relatively mild, and buyers are still out house hunting.
Photograph Your Home ASAP
The fall season can provide beautiful lighting for your professional real estate photos; however, there’s no doubt that the beginning of the season is best for natural light. Try to have your professional real estate pictures taken as early in the season as possible.
Not only will the natural light be better, but the golden and orange hues from the trees will also help set the scene for buyers.
Market creatively
If your home is located in an area that attracts tourists for fall and winter activities, be sure to mention that to buyers. If your home is situated in a state with great weather all year round, tailor your marketing towards snowbirds and buyers who want an escape from the cold.
Price your property to sell
Pricing your home strategically is one of the most crucial aspects of the real estate process. You can accurately price your home by taking a look at the sales price of similar homes in your neighborhood. When deciding on a list price, it’s important to take into consideration your closing costs. Remember, the higher you price your home above market value, the more time it will take to sell.
Work With a Real Estate Agent
Once you’ve made the decision to sell, it’s crucial that you seek the advice of an experienced real estate agent who can guide you through the sales process. If you’re on a tight time crunch and don’t want to put your home on the open market, consider speaking to a company that buys houses for cash. On average, selling to a cash buyer is a much quicker process than selling on the open market, and could be the solution if you need a fast sale.
