Tips for Selling in the Fall
The St. Louis real estate market tends to slow down during the fall. Fewer people are looking to buy in the months leading up to Christmas. That being said, if you are on the market, or need to be, special preparations must be taken to get your house ready for a fall sale. The following article, by Michele Dawson, highlights some tips for selling in the fall:
With fall marking its entrance, kids back in school, and the holidays just around the corner, home sales tend to slow down during this time of year. If you're selling, it means you need to take extra measures to make your house stand out above the others on the market in your neighborhood.
So, if you're preparing to sell your house this fall, think about:
Curb appeal. Fall can make or break you when it comes to curb appeal and the all-important "first impression." Leaves turning shades of crimson and gold can add extra appeal to the total look of your home's exterior. On the other hand, leaves strewn about your front yard can decrease your home's visual appeal during that first impression.
Generic improvements that enhance your home's functionality, efficiency and aesthetics, also means completing deferred maintenance and making sure all the components are in good working condition.
Celebrating the season. Add a fall wreath to the front door. Have a few huge pumpkins and fall display in your front area to welcome visitors (would-be buyers).
Scents of the season. If you're a smoker or have pets, make sure the nose doesn't know. Eliminate all such offensive odors. If you're holding an open house, or know you'll have a lot of potential buyers looking on a particular day, bake an apple pie. Nothing is more inviting than the scent of apples and cinnamon wafting through the air.
Letting the light in. A dark house is a big turn off. Open up the blinds, let the light in and turn on the lights during the day. And turn on all those accent lights and lamps.
The fireplace. The hearth is still an important feature to most buyers, especially as days grow colder. Make sure yours is clean. Place a log in the fireplace. Or, consider placing an attractive candelabra or candle-holder that holds numerous candles in the fireplace for a decorator's touch.
Hiring a home inspector. Once a buyer makes an offer, they will hire someone to conduct an in-depth inspection of the house. Some sellers like to do this before they put their house on the market so there are no surprises down the road. If anything comes up during the seller's inspection, the seller can get it taken care of before putting the house on the market. The American Society of Home Inspectors says a typical home inspection includes drainage conditions, exterior surfaces, decks, chimney, the roof, windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, furnace, air conditioner, insulation, ventilation, electrical, heating, and plumbing systems.
Tidying up. If you have a lot of furniture or other "stuff," put some of it in storage. Put away all those knickknacks and paper piles.
Allowances. If you have carpet, wood floors or cabinets that have seen better days, consider offering an allowance right off the bat. You'll want to discuss this with your real estate professional. There are pros and cons -- you don't get to have that "wow" first impression if you put in those floors or cabinets yourself before you sell. But you might be short on time and don't want to run into the holidays -- plus buyers may like the idea of picking out their own flooring.
Your asking price. Don't insist on setting the price too high, especially if you're on a timeline. A house priced appropriately will be taken more seriously and will ultimately sell more quickly than one that's overpriced.
Talk to the professionals. Follow your REALTOR's additional recommendations and begin the final phases of preparation before your house goes on the market.
Understand The Plan. Real estate marketing involves far more than a sign in the yard and an ad in the paper. Successful REALTORS use a variety of methods to attract and qualify prospects, including the latest Internet and communication advances.
Written by Michele Dawson
With fall marking its entrance, kids back in school, and the holidays just around the corner, home sales tend to slow down during this time of year. If you're selling, it means you need to take extra measures to make your house stand out above the others on the market in your neighborhood.
So, if you're preparing to sell your house this fall, think about:
Curb appeal. Fall can make or break you when it comes to curb appeal and the all-important "first impression." Leaves turning shades of crimson and gold can add extra appeal to the total look of your home's exterior. On the other hand, leaves strewn about your front yard can decrease your home's visual appeal during that first impression.
Generic improvements that enhance your home's functionality, efficiency and aesthetics, also means completing deferred maintenance and making sure all the components are in good working condition.
Celebrating the season. Add a fall wreath to the front door. Have a few huge pumpkins and fall display in your front area to welcome visitors (would-be buyers).
Scents of the season. If you're a smoker or have pets, make sure the nose doesn't know. Eliminate all such offensive odors. If you're holding an open house, or know you'll have a lot of potential buyers looking on a particular day, bake an apple pie. Nothing is more inviting than the scent of apples and cinnamon wafting through the air.
Letting the light in. A dark house is a big turn off. Open up the blinds, let the light in and turn on the lights during the day. And turn on all those accent lights and lamps.
The fireplace. The hearth is still an important feature to most buyers, especially as days grow colder. Make sure yours is clean. Place a log in the fireplace. Or, consider placing an attractive candelabra or candle-holder that holds numerous candles in the fireplace for a decorator's touch.
Hiring a home inspector. Once a buyer makes an offer, they will hire someone to conduct an in-depth inspection of the house. Some sellers like to do this before they put their house on the market so there are no surprises down the road. If anything comes up during the seller's inspection, the seller can get it taken care of before putting the house on the market. The American Society of Home Inspectors says a typical home inspection includes drainage conditions, exterior surfaces, decks, chimney, the roof, windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, furnace, air conditioner, insulation, ventilation, electrical, heating, and plumbing systems.
Tidying up. If you have a lot of furniture or other "stuff," put some of it in storage. Put away all those knickknacks and paper piles.
Allowances. If you have carpet, wood floors or cabinets that have seen better days, consider offering an allowance right off the bat. You'll want to discuss this with your real estate professional. There are pros and cons -- you don't get to have that "wow" first impression if you put in those floors or cabinets yourself before you sell. But you might be short on time and don't want to run into the holidays -- plus buyers may like the idea of picking out their own flooring.
Your asking price. Don't insist on setting the price too high, especially if you're on a timeline. A house priced appropriately will be taken more seriously and will ultimately sell more quickly than one that's overpriced.
Talk to the professionals. Follow your REALTOR's additional recommendations and begin the final phases of preparation before your house goes on the market.
Understand The Plan. Real estate marketing involves far more than a sign in the yard and an ad in the paper. Successful REALTORS use a variety of methods to attract and qualify prospects, including the latest Internet and communication advances.
Written by Michele Dawson
posted by Russell T. Nolting at
1:53 PM
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