Selling Your Home In The Fall

With Halloween in the rearview mirror, we are now heading down the homestretch of fall. Soon, snow will arrive and all the colorful leaves will have fallen, leaving bare branches for the winter. Even though temperatures are starting to get cooler, the housing market is still heating up. With average home prices reaching record highs over last year’s prices, many are thinking it’s the perfect season to sell their home. If you want to take advantage of this seller’s market, then it is time to get your home ready for potential buyers. The team at Streamline Realty has some tips for you to prepare for selling your home in the fall. Even if you aren’t looking to sell, these tips will help you take care of your home as the temperatures drop. 

Clean Out Your Gutters

Kids love the fall because it means piles of raked leaves to play in. The problem is that not all leaves fall neatly on your lawn. At this point in the season, it is important to clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters are one of the most common ways to cause significant water damage to your home. As debris in your gutter fills up, it allows water to spill over the edge. This water streams straight down the side of your home and undercuts your foundation or goes right into your basement. Additionally, it is important to make sure your gutters are clean before the calendar turns from fall to winter. Once the snow starts falling, your gutters can become too heavy and rip right off the side of your house. This can cause damage to your roof or worse. Once your gutters are clean, install some mesh guards to make sure they don’t get filled up again. 

Seal Up Your Home

Fall weather means it is time to start wearing a coat before you venture out of your house. One thing home buyers do not want is to have to wear a winter coat inside the house. Prepare for selling your home in the fall by sealing up windows and doors. Make sure all the openings of your home have properly placed weather-stripping. Check any caulk around frames to make sure it is intact and doesn’t have any holes. Also, check your attack to make sure that there isn’t any place for wintry winds to enter your home. Nobody wants to live in a cold and drafty home. This is true even if you are not planning on selling your home. Take the time this fall to keep the winter weather outside. 

Inspect Your Roof

There is no such thing as a convenient time to have a problem with your roof. This is doubly true in the winter. Inspect shingles or tiles to make sure you do not see anything that is cracked or broken. One small leak can turn into thousands of dollars of repairs. Furthermore, problems with your roof can be a big red flag during home inspections, which put an end to your sale. Even if missing shingles don’t result in extensive damage, it is still an eyesore which can turn off potential buyers. 

Get Ready to Heat Your Home

Cooler temperatures outside means that it is time to make sure you can keep your home warm on the inside. Keeping your home nice and cozy covers a range of tasks, from simple to complex. First, check your furnaces and fans. Switch the direction on your ceiling fans, so that it draws warm air down to the floor. Then, have your furnaces inspected to make sure that they are in good condition and are ready to handle the bitter cold. If your furnace is 10 - 15 years old, consider getting it replaced. Newer heating systems are more cost effective than older units and are attractive upgrades for potential buyers. 

Next, you want to make sure your fireplace is ready to go. Inspecting your chimney is necessary for the safety of your family and to ensure it is not a fire hazard for your home. Check the flue for creosote, which is a highly flammable by-product of burning wood. If you see a lot of buildup, have it professionally cleaned. Honestly, this is a task that is best left to the professionals. Faulty chimneys and creosote buildup are very dangerous, so it is best to not leave this task for an untrained eye. They will also check your damper to make sure it is functioning properly, as well as inspect your chimney. Having your fireplace is in good working order and professionally cleaned will keep you safe and attract buyers. 

Myth: Selling Your Home in the Fall is a Bad Idea

Many people think that selling your home in the fall or winter is a bad idea. The main reason behind this idea is that the peak time for home sales is in the spring and summer. Even though there are more home sales in warmer months it doesn’t mean that selling your home in the fall is bad. In fact, selling your home in the fall is a great idea.

Less Competition

Many people try to take advantage of the real estate peak by putting their home on the market in spring and summer. By selling your home in the fall you make sure there is less competition from other sellers. This can be especially advantageous for you this year as market demand is high because of rock bottom interest rates. Being one of the few sellers in a market thick with buyers can get you top dollar for your home. 

Ideal Time to Move

Selling your home means having to move into another home. It is much easier to do it in the fall when moving companies and moving trucks don’t have as much demand. Selling your home in the fall makes it easier to schedule your next big move and might even get you a discount. Selling your home in the fall also allows you to move into a new home before the holidays. You can settle into your new dream home and be ready to ring in the new year. 

Potential Tax Breaks

As long as you close escrow on your home before December 31st, you can write off property tax and mortgage payments. You can also write off some of your closing costs and home improvements that you make in the process of selling your home. 

Final Thoughts

Selling your home in the fall doesn’t go along with conventional wisdom, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad idea. Sometimes, going against the grain is the best strategy. Selling your home in the fall has some unique advantages that just might put more money in your wallet. But, whether you sell your home or not, the changing of the seasons means it is time to perform some basic upkeep. It’s time to get ready for winter and make sure your home is in the best shape possible for potential buyers or your own family. If you are interested in selling your home in the fall, contact us. The team at Streamline Realty is here to help you every step of the way. You can also take a look at our sellers guide for tips on how to sell your home for more than your asking price.