Why Fall Is The Perfect Time To Sell

If you are considering putting your house on the market but think fall is not the right time, think again. Spring tends to get bragging rights when it comes to the ideal season to list, but fall, particularly this fall, is a great time to list your home. Here are some key advantages you’ll enjoy when selling your home this autumn:

AN ACTIVE MARKET

Summer days may be behind us, but activity in the market remains hot. Across our region, the number of homes for sale remains low. This past August saw a 40% dip in inventory compared to August 2019. Fewer homes to choose from means sellers are in the driver’s seat and getting, on average, the full price. Months of inventory are low (a great thing for sellers) and home prices are trending up. August saw an 18% increase in home prices over the same month last year.

QUALIFIED BUYERS

When autumn months hit, you’re likely to encounter a more serious pool of buyers who are itching to find and close on a new home before the end of the year. More qualified buyers who want to avoid moving while there’s snow on the ground or during the busy holiday season are more prevalent in the fall, often resulting in fewer but more productive showings. Families with children are also keen to close by December so that school-age kids can start fresh at their new school come January.

QUICKER TRANSACTIONS

Because there are usually fewer transactions that take place in the fall, you have the opportunity to receive quicker service from each professional associated with your closing. Mortgage lenders have fewer loans to process, attorneys have fewer closings to do, and home inspectors and appraisers generally have fewer appointments scheduled. With all of these factors considered, a quicker and smoother transaction often aligns with the fall market, meaning less stress for sellers.

AUTUMN CURB APPEAL

One of the benefits of living in a four-season climate is the eye-catching shift in seasons. Late-flowering plants add dimension to the garden, and fall foliage in full bloom makes for a dramatic backdrop on any property. It’s important to have your home looking its best when you go to market, and there’s no better time to showcase the hard work you’ve been putting into your landscape than right now. Add in understated, tasteful, seasonal décor to conjure themes of family and giving thanks, and you’ve set the stage to receive any buyer looking for a new place to call home.

SOLD BY THE HOLIDAYS

Sellers who want their home off the market in time to enjoy the holiday season love to list in the fall because it offers plenty of time for sales to process before the end of the year. It’s a smart way to ensure you’ll be ringing in the new year by celebrating your home’s sale and getting ready to start the next chapter of your real estate journey.

To help prepare your home to sell this fall:

• Clean up your yard. Rake leaves and debris and trim all dying foliage and dispose of it.

• Optimize light. Cut back select bushes or branches that are blocking the sun from your windows.

• Get creative with curbside flowers and seasonal items. Marigolds, mums, and pumpkins are colourful, inexpensive options.

• Wash your windows inside and out. Remove the screens and spray clean.

• Check your HVAC. If you discover furnace problems, it’s better to fix them before your home goes on the market.

This article appeared in the October issue of Faris Team’s monthly magazine, Barrie Real Estate Guide. You can view this and other content, like home values by neighbourhood, through the digital version here.

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