What You Should Do Now If You Plan On Selling This Fall
Home sales during the fall are traditionally
a bit slower than the frenzied spring and summer months. But fall can be a good
time to sell because there are (usually) fewer houses on the market - meaning
less competition - and buyers typically want to buy quickly before winter and
the holidays set in.
If you plan on selling this fall, you'll
want to do everything in your power to attract would-be homebuyers. One of the
first things you should do is examine, and, if needed, repair any major
structural systems. If you're unaware of any, you may want to hire a
professional home inspector. Chances are a potential buyer will hire an
inspector to examine the house, so you might as well save yourself any
surprises down the road.
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.
Once that's done, you should make sure you
don't have any loose shingles. Repair and paint your gutters, if needed. Once the structural systems are repaired or given
the thumbs-up, then you should turn to appearance.
And when it comes to looks, if you're
selling in the fall, there are many things to consider, including:
· Curb appeal. In other words, the way your house looks
from the street - the roof's condition, how the paint is holding up, whether
the windows are sparkling, the lawn is mowed, the landscape is attractive and
not buried beneath a peppering of fall leaves, and the driveway and walkways
are free from toys and clutter.
· Entering the house. Your front door should be in good
condition. Usually when the real estate professional is busy retrieving the key
from the lock box, the potential buyers are standing by with nothing else to
look at but the front door. Does it need painting or staining? Also, new
hardware will make it stand out, and why not adorn it with a seasonal fall
wreath?
· Once inside your house, the two things that immediately
turn off prospective buyers are dingy walls and dirty, ill-colored, outdated,
or shabby carpet. Sometimes it's hard to be objective about the condition of
your own house because you see it every day, so ask a friend, neighbor, or your
real estate agent to give it a look and give you their honest opinion. Fresh
paint can do wonders. Keep the colors neutral. And while you can offer buyers a
carpet allowance to compensate for bad carpet, replacing it before selling
really boosts that first impression and makes the house more appealing and
worth more in the buyer's mind.
· Clear the clutter. If you have too much furniture, put
some of it in storage. Fewer pieces of furniture will make the room seem larger
and more open. Also, clear counters in the kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure
closets are clean. Pack up some of your clothes now. Fewer hanging clothes in
the closet will make the closet appear bigger.
· Talk to the professionals. Now's also a
good time to interview real estate professionals. Ask about their
experience, find out how well they know the area you're eyeing, and talk to
references. Once you have someone lined up you can follow his or her additional
recommendations and begin the final phases of preparation before your house
goes on the market.
Finally, you should be mindful of setting a
competitive price. Your REALTORŪ will begin by conducting a competitive market
analysis of your house and give you an estimate of the fair market value of
your home, which is a range that will fluctuate depending on the housing market
in your area and how much similar homes in your
neighborhood are selling for.
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.
Written
by Michele Dawson
