The benefits of selling your home in the off-season

Thinking about making a move this fall? If you need to sell a home first, you know that there likely will be a smaller group of potential buyers than there was in May, June and July. That doesn’t make the off-season a bad time to sell a home, however. Those purchasing homes in the fall and winter are often more serious, which can more than make up for the smaller pool of home buyers. The fall also provides a unique opportunity to showcase your property.

Before you put your home on the market, make sure your property is clean and tidy. It’s especially important this time of the year. If you have trees that lose their leaves, keep up with the raking. Ideally, there will be no leaves on the ground or dead plants when a prospective buyer comes by. If you have had a summer garden, clear out dead plants and clean it up. If it’s still warm enough to use patio furniture, make sure they are still in good condition and clean. Haul out the fire pit if you have one and set up a nice cool-weather outdoor area. If it’s not yet too cold, consider planting some cool-weather annuals for some added color.

If you have already moved out of your home, make sure to keep your thermostat at a pleasant temperature. No one wants to be too hot or too cold while touring a home. Also, make sure your home has adequate lighting and if your home is shown in the late afternoon or evening that indoor lights are used so your home doesn’t look too dark. Timers are an easy solution.

Lastly, keep seasonal decorations and touches to a minimum. You may love pumpkin spice candles and room spray, but some potential buyers may not. A bit of fall decor here and there is fine, but you may want to avoid having 20 pumpkins by your front door, a Halloween skeleton hanging from the front porch or plastic skulls scattered across your front yard. Some potential buyers may not celebrate Halloween or enjoy that many Halloween or fall decorations.

Simple fall-oriented decorations are a better bet, such as a harvest-style wreath on the front door or over your fireplace. A harvest flower arrangement can also be a nice touch. A clean and comfortable home with some simple and tasteful seasonal decorations can help set the stage for a successful home sale.