How to Prepare to Sell Your Home in Fall

Spring and summer are the best seasons for selling a home, but that does not mean you cannot have a successful sale in fall or winter. This is particularly true in areas like Ventura County where we enjoy pleasant weather and outdoor entertaining throughout the year. You may even have an advantage with fewer homes on the market and buyers looking to close before the winter holidays. 

There are some things that remain the same no matter when you are putting your home on the market. Clearing clutter, depersonalizing, deep cleaning, completing repairs and maintenance, and enhancing curb appeal are important parts of preparing your home to sell any time of year. 

There are also some autumn-specific home selling tips that can help position your home for a successful sale, which we will go over here.

If your landscaping includes deciduous trees, regular raking should be at the top of your list when preparing for showings. You do not want potential buyers to see work they will have to do when they look at your house, so stay on top of leaf removal. 

There may also be fall-related clutter to keep under control, including rain boots, umbrellas, and jackets that can overwhelm porches and entries. Set out a boot tray and umbrella rack to keep rain gear corralled if it is too wet to put away in your coat closet. It is also a good idea to put out doormats for guests and potential buyers to use when they come to your home on rainy days. You might also consider placing a basket of disposable shoe covers by the door to keep your floors clean without asking buyers to take their shoes off. 

Enhanced lighting – natural and otherwise – is important when the days are shorter and the dark settles in earlier. You can enhance natural light by cleaning your windows, opening curtains and blinds before showings, and trimming trees near windows. Make sure all the lights in your home are on before showings and open houses and make outdoor spaces more welcoming and festive by adding string lights. 

Adding fall décor can make your home feel warmer and more inviting, but don’t overdo it. Keep it simple and elegant, such as a seasonal wreath on the door or pumpkins on the porch. It is always a good idea to freshen and add a bit of color to living areas and entertaining spaces with new throw pillows or rugs, so, if you are selling your home in fall, consider autumn colors to update these spaces and make them feel cozy. 

You can also bring the feeling of fall into your living spaces with aromas reminiscent of fresh-baked cookies or hot cider. You can achieve this with a simmer pot, wax warmer, or by actually baking cookies before showings. Think cinnamon, cardamom, pumpkin, persimmon, vanilla, and warm spices for your scent profile. Be sure to keep it on the subtle side, since some folks are sensitive to fragrances. 

While we are on the topic of smells, if you have not yet run your heater this year, now is a good time to do that. If your ductwork has been sitting dormant for months, you may need to change the filters and run the system so that it will not smell dusty when you turn it on for a showing or open house. 

If you have fire features inside or outside, make them a focal point. Fall is all about being cozy, so now is the time for your fireplaces and fire pit to shine. While your swimming pool is always going to be a selling point, now is the time to put away the pool toys and replace them with baskets of cozy throw blankets and seating vignettes that make potential buyers want to curl up on your patio sofa with hot chocolate and a good book. 

And, finally, if you have an outdoor living space with a fire feature and outdoor lighting, talk to your real estate agent about hosting a twilight caravan or open house with mulled cider or a hot chocolate bar complete with marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and toffee bits. 

Mostly, focus on making your home feel warm, inviting, and cozy, since coziness and comfort is what most folks associate with home in the fall.  

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AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.