The Beginner’s Guide to Selling Your Home This Fall

While Spring and Summer are generally thought of as “busy season,” for the Edmonton real estate market, fall comes with its own set of advantages. With families returning from their summer vacations, children heading back to school and the holidays still months away, the average Edmonton home buyer has more time to focus on their new home dreams – making fall a great time to sell your home!

Other key reasons to sell your home in the fall:

1. Less Competition Among Home Sellers: A slower market means fewer home sellers and less inventory to compete with.

2. Buyers Are More Motivated: With reduced inventory comes a reduced ability to be choosy/picky over homes currently available on the market.

3. Enhanced Curb Appeal: Fall colours and foliage can greatly boost your home’s exterior appearance.

4. Enhanced Home Staging: Warm fall colours, décor and smells can make your home seem extra inviting.

5. More Time to Ready Your Home for Market: More time to focus on necessary value-add home improvements during the spring and summer.

Here’s what you need to know to sell your home fast and for top dollar this fall:

Get a Property Valuation 

Unfortunately, what you think your home is worth and what it’s actually worth according to current market conditions are not always the same (in fact, it may be worth more than you thought). For this reason, it’s imperative to schedule a property valuation with a licensed real estate professional.

During this process, an experienced Edmonton agent will come to your home to determine what buyers are likely to pay for your property within the next 30 to 90 days. Often referred to as a Free Market Evaluation, this essential first step ensures your home is priced accurately – thereby putting you in the best position to sell your home quickly and for the most money possible. Best of all, home evaluations are entirely free of cost and obligation.

But that’s not all! For more information, see our previous post: How Much Is Your Home Really Worth? 5 Key Reasons You Need a Home Evaluation.

Create Curb Appeal 

Make a good impression with buyers from the very start by boosting your home’s curb appeal. In addition to keeping your lawn mowed, manicured and free of debris, we recommend:

• Pressure washing your home’s exterior (windows, siding, walkways and driveway)
• Pruning any shrubs or trees
• Removing dead plants or flowers
• Ensuring outdoor lighting is both bright and inviting
• Replacing damaged or outdated hardware (mailbox, house numbers, etc.)
• Address chipped, peeling or cracked paint around door frames, windowsills, porches, decks and fences
• Keep the exterior clean and tidy throughout the selling process (regularly rake up leaves, dead flowers, plants, etc.)

We also recommend sprucing up your outdoor décor with a few fall-themed items such as a wreath, doormat, and flowers (mums and marigolds are particularly popular during the fall months). A few pumpkins may also add some seasonal appeal.

Tackle Necessary Repairs and Renovations

While assessing your home, your evaluating agent will suggest ways to improve your home’s current value through simple repairs and upgrades. Even the smallest changes can potentially raise your home’s asking price by thousands of dollars! Common suggestions include:

• Ensuring all systems are in good running shape (furnace, plumbing, water heater etc.)
• A fresh coat of paint (inside and out)
• Improving curb appeal (see above)
• Upgrading your hardware (kitchen knobs and pulls, doorknobs, switch plates etc.)
• Replacing outdated light fixtures
• Making the home more energy-efficient (install a programmable thermostat, test windows and doors for leaks etc.)

For more information on how to get your home in sale-ready condition this fall, check out our comprehensive Fall Maintenance Checklist.

Stage to Sell

Did you know staging your home can help reduce time on the market from 30 to 50% and add an estimated value of 6-20%? As the weather begins to cool, Edmontonians spend more time snuggled up indoors, so be sure to give your home that warm and cozy feeling by incorporating a few fall staging elements:

• Warm smells such as apples and cinnamon, light citrus, cloves or baking (potpourri or air fresheners will do, just be sure they aren’t overpowering)
• If applicable, turn on the fireplace
• Add a few fall-coloured pillows, throws and unscented candles (for safety, we recommend using LED candles)
• Add a basket of ornamental gourds, pinecones or candles to the kitchen table
• Offer a few festive treats such as pumpkin spice cookies, muffins or hot apple cider

Other basic home staging “must-do’s” include:

• Deep Clean – From ceiling fans to baseboards, give every square inch of your home a thorough clean.
• De-Personalize – Be sure to remove family photos and other personal mementoes as they distract buyers.
• De-Clutter – Organize drawers, cupboards, and closet interiors (buyers will look) and remove excess items from countertops, shelves and other surfaces.
• Lighten Things Up – The days grow shorter in the fall, so be sure your home is well lit inside and out. Replace any burnt-out bulbs and brighten dark rooms or corners with the help of strategically placed lamps.
• Smells and Sounds – Incorporate soft music and soft scents.

Market Your Property 24/7

After pricing your home correctly, marketing is the most effective way to sell your home fast and for the money possible. A good REALTOR® may take a few photos and provide a basic listing, but a GREAT REALTOR® will come backed by a comprehensive 24/7 Home Selling System*:

Professional photos of your home – Homes with more photos sell faster and fall photos can be particularly enticing to home buyers if done correctly. Note: If you have any quality photos of your home in the summer, be sure to give those to your agent as well.

Advertising guarantee – Your home will be advertised to serious fall buyers via a multi-channel marketing network, 24/7 until it is sold.

An entire team by your side – When choosing the right REALTOR®, you’ll have a whole team of professionals working for you versus a single agent.

Satisfaction guarantee – If you’re not 100% happy, you will have the freedom to cancel your listing at any time.

If you’re thinking of selling your home this fall, we recommend partnering with a reputable real estate agent in your area. Not only will they help you get the most out of your current home, but they’ll also make the fall selling process quick, easy and enjoyable. Get in touch with us today to schedule your free and informative Home Evaluation.

Related: 

• 8 Key Advantages of Buying a Home This Fall
• Sometimes Even the Best Homes Don’t Sell
• Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

*The 24/7 Home Selling System is exclusive to the Terry Paranych Real Estate Group

Photo credits: shutterstock.com

Categorised in: Selling a Home

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group