Fall in Love with Selling in Autumn
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Fall is not known as the season to sell your house, but in the Portland Metro Area we have always had a nice little September-October selling bump. August is usually quiet, Realtors and Oregonians take the month off to enjoy the weather! None of our normal real estate patterns are applicable right now, but I am still seeing a lot of buyers and just a few cute listings, which is leading to the market still being too hot and very competitive. If you are getting ready to sell, this fall is a great time, and after you call me, follow these steps and tricks!
Create a Cozy Atmosphere: Hygge, Quarantine Trends, Magnolia styling, all of these trends are focused on a warm, inviting, comforting atmosphere. We want it in our own homes, we crave it when looking for a new home. Don’t just strip your home to sell it, add cozy touches like rugs, blankets, candles, soft furniture, and warm autumnal colors.
Prep for a Rainy Inspection: Water is the Thing in the Northwest- it is the root of most of the repairs needed in homes from crawl spaces to attics. Go in your basement, crawl space, or attic! Look for water, dampness, mold, and rodents while you are there. No one ever does, and every seller is surprised when things are found. Be proactive and deal with the water now! I can refer an inspector if you need professional help. You can also do more repairs as a home owner before going on the market. If a buyer asks for repairs they will ask for a contractor to do everything. Not only is it super hard to find contractors right now, they also charge for their expertise and are very often booked up for weeks or months.
Ready your Yard and Exterior: Clean out gutters, de-moss the roof (do not pressure wash!), rake and remove leaves, and clean out flower beds. Take the next step by planting a fall garden of cabbages and other hardy veggies to keep that abundant feeling flowing into the fall. Welcome buyers with a staged front porch or back patio. We usually have enough sunny days in the fall to dream about stretching our outdoor living into October, so set the stage for the buyers to fall in love!
Keep the House Clean: This is a normal part of house selling, but you also need to help buyers and Realtors keep the house clean between showings. Booties are a must, but a bench or stool at the front door will give people a safe place to put them on without going to the couch. We also must have hand sanitizer, and extra masks and gloves. I will help set up a Welcome Zone with a shoe tray, extra rugs and towels, and all our required Covid-19 Safety Gear. Don’t forget the back door! More booties, another seat, and a sign to put on shoes before going out side will keep the backdoor as clean as the front.
Have Fun! We all need some fun, and Halloween is a great excuse to make your home stand out. Cute Cozy Decor is of course amazing (see #1) but you can also add some silly decor, like witch legs, pumpkins, black cats, and silly goblins. I would avoid cobwebs, those won’t translate as Halloween, just messy! Spiders and really scary stuff might be too much from some buyers (big or small) so keep it fun!