After a nice hot summer with some record-breaking high temperatures, many people are feeling a bit blue as the weather starts to turn. But as the nights draw in and we get used to the crunching of leaves beneath our feet, it’s not all doom and gloom. Statistically, the autumn months of September and October are one of the best times to sell a home, thanks to a post-summer boom of buyer activity. But autumn can be a tricky time to make your house look it’s best, and it can feel like you’re constantly battling nature. So this year, we have a few tips and tricks to share with you that can help you sell your home.
Buyers Are Eager
Buyers around this time of year are eager to be settled into the new home for Christmas. So you will find a lot of buyers are looking for a quick purchase. This can be great for you, and is something a lot of sellers take advantage of. These kinds of buyers are also more likely to be willing to spend a little extra for a speedy sale, so you could get above asking price for your property. On top of that, if both parties are on the same page when it comes to getting things done fast, you can get around a lot of the delays and issues that usually happen in the chain.
Concentrate On Lighting
You want to showcase your home in the best possible light, which can be difficult when the days are getting shorter and the clouds are hanging low in the sky. During darker months, the way you light your home is even more important to a sale. If your home starts to look a little dingy or dark, well-placed lamps and bright bulbs will be a valuable asset. For example, energy-saving light bulbs are a great way to fill your home with light in an eco-friendly and relatively cheap way. But give it some thought before you go putting lamps everywhere. Certain rooms in your home might benefit from being well lit (like kitchens and bathrooms), while others, like bedrooms and living rooms, might benefit from a warm, cosy feeling given off by lower light bulbs.
Embrace The Autumn Vibes
Just because it’s autumn doesn’t mean it’s all bad. In fact, bringing the warm, woody tones of autumn into your home can actually help increase interest in your home. As we approach the winter months, making sure your home is full of warm throws, duvets and plump cushions are ideal. They give your home a warm, cosy and comfortable look that inspires all the feelings of being cuddled up in front of the fire with hot chocolate. Natural materials can help here too, creating a sense of autumn inside as well as out.
Don’t Forget Your Garden
As the weather turns, most people will stop using their outside spaces as much. Many people simply abandon their gardens over the winter, but taking this route could be costing your interested buyers. Gardens are still a key feature, even if they can’t be used for a while, so it’s important to keep them in good condition while you have prospective buyers visiting. That means keeping your lawn trimmed, leaves raked, weeds pulled up and the space cleared of any garden toys or clutter. It’s also worthwhile investing in a good gutter clean, so that the external parts of your house look smart and well-presented.
Encourage Early Viewing
In October, November and December, it can get dark as early as 4pm, and sometimes even before that. People are getting used to it being dark before they leave work, and don’t see as much light. That’s why if you want to carry out viewings, you’ll want your house to look it’s best, in as much natural light as possible. That means you should look to arrange viewings are early as possible, in the morning or early afternoon ideally. You should also be sure that your home is warm and inviting during the colder months, as this will help buyers relate to the space and explore it in conform.
And as always, a good declutter and a thorough clean will help give you the best chance to sell your home – especially in the wet months where dirt can be trodden in with every new pair of shoes. At Northwood, we are dedicated to helping home owners sell their home to the right buyers at the right price, and at the right time for them. If you would like to know more, or want some free, impartial advice, just get in touch with one of the team today.
