Get Your Home Ready to Sell

If you’re thinking of listing your property this fall, there are a few simple things you can do to get your home ready, and help it sell faster, easier, and at the highest price possible.

Make a great first impression

Once you’ve decided to sell, work with your REALTOR® to put together a plan to make sure you put your home’s best foot forward. For example, if there are any reno projects you’ve been putting off, like replacing old door knobs, fixing that broken step on your deck, or giving the interior of your house a fresh coat of paint, now’s the perfect time to get them done.

To brighten up the shorter days and darker nights that come with fall, clean your windows and screens, add some decorative accent lamps to any dark corners in your home, and open all the blinds, curtains and window coverings during showings to let in as much light as possible.

You might also want to consider adding some seasonal touches to your indoor décor, like hanging a fall-foliage-inspired wreath on the front door, or adding some orange or red throw pillows or blankets. To prepare your home for showings, turn your fireplace on if you have one, or add a sweet seasonal scent to your home by baking some gingerbread cookies or a pumpkin pie.

Consult with your REALTOR® before doing any staging on your own because fall overkill can distract buyers or completely turn them off of your home.

Stay on top of cleaning and upkeep

While fall leaves may be pretty to look at, they can also make a mess out of your otherwise pristine yard. If you have a showing or open house coming up, double check to make sure no one’s been tracking in any mud or dirt. To really maximize your curb appeal, don’t forget to consider what’s outside your home as well.

“Fall means yards and gardens are approaching the end of their summer foliage,” Powell says. “So clear out any flowers and plants that dry up in the fall, and stay on top of all those leaves. If you’re listing late in fall, consider adding some decorative outdoor plants that stay beautiful well into the colder weather, like decorative cabbage or black-eyed Susans.”

Of course, the last thing you want to discover on a cool autumn evening right before a buyer is coming to see your home, is that your furnace is on the fritz! Since most of us don’t use our furnaces much in the summer, a fall listing can be a great occasion to have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected.

Put the latest technology to work for you

Between virtual and 3D tours, 360-degree views, and remote showings, the technology associated with selling a home has come a long way in the past few years. Your REALTOR® can help put those technologies to work for you.

“If you plan to sell later in the year, get some outdoor photos done now, before the snow comes and the cooler weather hits,” Powell says. “Even if you’re still prepping inside, it’s worth a little early effort to capture what the summer peak looks like.”

“While your own snapshots might be fine, ask your REALTOR® to bring in their professional photographer ahead of time,” he adds. “Have a rock-star backyard? It may be worth shooting some drone photography or video to really capture things before the cold hits.”

Do your research

Because there are usually fewer buyers in the fall, it’s essential to stay on top of what’s happening in the market. This means having your REALTOR® do research on things like comparable listings in your area, tracking where your local housing market is headed, and understanding what buyers are looking for in a home right now.

“Changing demand, buyer expectations and your competition will all impact your sale’s timing and strategy,” Powell explains. “The right strategy could change from one day to the next, but the most successful sellers are the ones who listen to what the market, and their REALTOR®, are telling them, and act swiftly.

“Don’t get so stuck on a strategy, price or timing that you aren’t able to change it up to take advantage of opportunities,” he adds. “Your REALTOR® will know when to jump and when to pivot. Listen to them.”

Ask your REALTOR®

Lastly, when in doubt, ask your REALTOR® for advice! In addition to tracking the latest market statistics and keeping you informed about any future interest rate changes, your REALTOR® can walk you through each step in pricing, listing and getting your home ready to sell, and help you sell your property quicker, with less stress, and at the best price possible.

— Source: realtor.ca —