Why Is Fall Such a Great Time to Sell Your Home?

Cedar Valley Real Estate Podcast with Amy Wienands

Don’t wait until spring to put your home on the market just because everyone else is doing it. I think that fall is actually the best time of year to sell your home.

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Is fall a good time to put your home on the market, or should you wait until spring? People constantly ask me that question, and I’m here to tell you that fall is a great time to put your house on the market. In fact, fall could be the best time to put your house on the market.
I think it is good sometimes to be a contrarian. Right now, everyone puts their house on the market in the spring and summer. Homes that didn’t sell over the summer are expiring now, so if you put your home on the market, you will have a lot less competition.
You should also know that there are still serious buyers out there. A lot of these buyers have been looking throughout the spring and summer but haven’t found that perfect home yet. Still, they want to be in their new home before the holidays.
When you list in the fall, your home will spend fewer days on the market, which will bring your home price up. Statistics show that homes listed in the fall sell quicker than homes listed in the spring or summer, and they also sell for 1% more.
I’ve always thought that fall was a good time to sell. In fact, I put my own home on the market right before Thanksgiving. If I had listed in the summer, I would have been competing with new construction and I knew that I would be competing with them again if I listed in the spring.
That said, there are a few things you will have to do differently if you sell in the fall. For example, your house has to be warm. There is nothing worse than walking into a cold house in the fall. Remember to replace your furnace filters before you turn the heat on.

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Make sure your home is clean, warm, and cozy.

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You should also keep your yard well-maintained. Even though leaves are dropping everywhere, your yard still needs to look great. Get the rakes out and clean everything up. You may have to do that every week for a few weeks, but keeping your yard clean will boost your curb appeal.
There is nothing like walking into a warm home on a fall day and being greeted by the smell of pumpkin spice or an apple pie. You need to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. If your home is vacant, we can add some Scentsy candles or aromatherapy to create that atmosphere for you.
Put pumpkins on your front steps and plant some mums. People are compelled to buy your home when the curb appeal pops. When they walk in and your home looks great, feels great, and smells great, they will think, “I can be in this home before the holidays? Great!”
If you have any other questions about selling in the fall or getting your home ready for the fall market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!