A lot of people notice that come Fall, the real estate market dwindles. Less is on the market and there are less buyers frantically searching for their next, or first, home.
We still aren't sure what starts what - its a chicken or the egg argument - do the lack of buyers looking make people hold off on trying to sell or is the lack of inventory popping up in Fall leading to less active buyers?
Regardless, if you are trying to sell your home in the Fall, it might become quickly obvious that you don't have the same level of interest as you might in the Spring.
Thus, each showing must count when marketing in the Fall, and, more than ever, drawing in buyers is a creative challenge.
However, the Fall is a gorgeous season, especially here in the mid-Atlantic and New England, and there is no reason to not use that to your favor. So here are a few tips on showing off your home and pulling in the buyers this Fall.
Imagine you are a buyer looking in late October or early November, its windy and raining and your fingers are quickly going numb at the their tips. Your agent opens the door to the house you made an appointment to see and while your head was ducked down in the rain up to the front door, when the door opens, you immediately feel at home. There is a fire going, the whole house smells of apple and cloves, a plaid throw is tossed over the sofa and a few candles flicker from the dining room.
Sounds nice, doesn't it?
Of course it does. This is what Autumn is all about - the sanctuary of hearth and home. Don't let that get lost on the buyer because the weather is poor. Use it to your advantage.
If you have a fireplace, do your best to light a fire before a showing or ask your agent to do it for you (and look after it, of course). Light a few candles to give the place some cozy romance. Add homey, cozy touches like pillows or throws. And don't forget the power of smell - mulled cider simmering on the stove is a great way of making your whole house smell like Autumnal splendor.
People love Fall and early Winter for the abundance of celebrations and memories they give us. A lot of buyers duck out at this time of year because they don't want to miss out on the holidays in their own home. But for those who need to sell and those who need to buy, being reminded of the potential for holiday spirit in a house may make them feel more comfortable.
If its Halloween, don't overdo it with crazy lawn ornaments or fake cobwebs everywhere, but adding pumpkins to the stoop and tastefully decorating the mantle will go a long way. Particularly for the winter holidays, seeing festive garlands, tree or a menorah might make a buyer see the potential for a memories in a new house.
Decked out for Halloween? Gather neighbors for a early jack-o-lantern carving in the back yard.
Have a glorious dining room? Host an early Thanksgiving cocktail party on a Sun for interested buyers with a decked-out dining room spread.
Inviting patio? Have a special open house in the Fall where buyers can tour the house with a glass of mulled wine while a sitter looks over kids during an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus. (Guess what.. the kids won't want to leave!)
Obviously, your real estate agent should be doing a lot of this for you if you didn't win host of the year this year, but the idea is simple: Give buyers a reason to want to visit your home and see it at its best.
For buyers who don't have to buy in the Fall, going out in the cold or passing up another event (we all know how many events get put on the calendar from Oct-Jan!) generally means seeing an open house is last on the list. But if you make it a fun, inviting reason for people to see your home, and hopefully fall in love (pun probably intended), the odds will be in your favor.
Coziness isn't just about blankets, its about hospitality. If you have someone coming in for a second showing, or perhaps you are having a special open house, make it memorable by making it personal. Ask your agent to offer everyone individual cups with their names on them (helps them to remember names too!) and fill them up with spiced cider. This is especially nice if you have a large lot and want people to walk it. What a better way to get people to explore than telling them to walk the property with their very own personalized hot cider?!
Regardless of how creative you get, the point is that while Fall often means a dead zone for the real estate market, it doesn't have to be that way. Standing out from the crowd, making your home unique and inviting, and utilizing your home's, ummm, homeyness is a distinct advantage in this season.
If nothing else, it should get you excited again about the prospect of selling your home and finding your own new place.
We still aren't sure what starts what - its a chicken or the egg argument - do the lack of buyers looking make people hold off on trying to sell or is the lack of inventory popping up in Fall leading to less active buyers?
Regardless, if you are trying to sell your home in the Fall, it might become quickly obvious that you don't have the same level of interest as you might in the Spring.
Thus, each showing must count when marketing in the Fall, and, more than ever, drawing in buyers is a creative challenge.
However, the Fall is a gorgeous season, especially here in the mid-Atlantic and New England, and there is no reason to not use that to your favor. So here are a few tips on showing off your home and pulling in the buyers this Fall.
Make it Cozy
Sounds nice, doesn't it?
Of course it does. This is what Autumn is all about - the sanctuary of hearth and home. Don't let that get lost on the buyer because the weather is poor. Use it to your advantage.
If you have a fireplace, do your best to light a fire before a showing or ask your agent to do it for you (and look after it, of course). Light a few candles to give the place some cozy romance. Add homey, cozy touches like pillows or throws. And don't forget the power of smell - mulled cider simmering on the stove is a great way of making your whole house smell like Autumnal splendor.
Don't forget the holidays
People love Fall and early Winter for the abundance of celebrations and memories they give us. A lot of buyers duck out at this time of year because they don't want to miss out on the holidays in their own home. But for those who need to sell and those who need to buy, being reminded of the potential for holiday spirit in a house may make them feel more comfortable.
If its Halloween, don't overdo it with crazy lawn ornaments or fake cobwebs everywhere, but adding pumpkins to the stoop and tastefully decorating the mantle will go a long way. Particularly for the winter holidays, seeing festive garlands, tree or a menorah might make a buyer see the potential for a memories in a new house.
Throw a party
Decked out for Halloween? Gather neighbors for a early jack-o-lantern carving in the back yard.
Have a glorious dining room? Host an early Thanksgiving cocktail party on a Sun for interested buyers with a decked-out dining room spread.
Inviting patio? Have a special open house in the Fall where buyers can tour the house with a glass of mulled wine while a sitter looks over kids during an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus. (Guess what.. the kids won't want to leave!)
Obviously, your real estate agent should be doing a lot of this for you if you didn't win host of the year this year, but the idea is simple: Give buyers a reason to want to visit your home and see it at its best.
For buyers who don't have to buy in the Fall, going out in the cold or passing up another event (we all know how many events get put on the calendar from Oct-Jan!) generally means seeing an open house is last on the list. But if you make it a fun, inviting reason for people to see your home, and hopefully fall in love (pun probably intended), the odds will be in your favor.
Make it personal
Coziness isn't just about blankets, its about hospitality. If you have someone coming in for a second showing, or perhaps you are having a special open house, make it memorable by making it personal. Ask your agent to offer everyone individual cups with their names on them (helps them to remember names too!) and fill them up with spiced cider. This is especially nice if you have a large lot and want people to walk it. What a better way to get people to explore than telling them to walk the property with their very own personalized hot cider?!
"I love this place! Its so cozy!"
"Me too. And this hot cider is delicious. Lets put an offer in!"
Regardless of how creative you get, the point is that while Fall often means a dead zone for the real estate market, it doesn't have to be that way. Standing out from the crowd, making your home unique and inviting, and utilizing your home's, ummm, homeyness is a distinct advantage in this season.
If nothing else, it should get you excited again about the prospect of selling your home and finding your own new place.
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