We all know that spring and summer are typically the hottest seasons of the year for the real estate market. However, this doesn’t mean that deals can’t be made during the fall and winter, especially with September right around the corner.

For home sellers across the country, the fall can be the perfect time to list a home. This is due to several reasons, including:

• More favorable mortgage rates
• Less competition
• Motivated buyers

In fact, sellers can use the fall to their advantage, assuming they know what buyers are looking for. Here are four home selling tips that will help any seller get their property noticed this fall:

1. Capitalize on fall sensations
   The fall is a very sensational season, so to speak. From sights – foliage, warm autumn colors – to smells – baked goods, warm cider – the fall invokes “sense memory” which can affect emotional decision making. Sellers can capitalize on this phenomena by including some of fall’s classic sights and smells around the home. It could be as simple as baking a pie before an open house or decorating the outside to look like the quintessential fall home. Either way, the listing should invoke buyers’ memories of falls past.
2. Fix up the property
   Winter is the worst season to make home repairs, and buyers in the fall have this coldest season bearing down on them. This can make many wary of homes with needed repairs, even if they are minor. For sellers, it is much better to make the home move-in ready, so fall buyers don’t have to worry about any issues through the winter. A home that is in great shape will likely sell faster than one that isn’t, especially in the fall.
3. Find the right price
   The home’s price is incredibly important, no matter the season. However, the fall simply makes the right price that much more valuable. This is because the buyers in the market are there for a reason. They typically want to move fast, and they will move on from a listing if the price is just too high. While high prices can work in the hottest buying seasons, in the fall it is better to price competitively the first time around. This will help bring in more buyers and it will mean the listing stands out from the crowd.
4. Focus on curb appeal
   Curb appeal is a must for any seller, but it is especially important in the fall. With the leaves, the turning foliage, the browner grass and even frost and ice, the fall can make it hard to get that picture-perfect curb appeal. Thankfully, it is possible. Sellers just have to be extra vigilant and treat their yard like it is still the summer. This may require a few extra lawn days during the week, but it will be worth it when the home sells.

While conventional wisdom says that home selling should take place in the spring and summer, this isn’t always the case. Now that it’s August, sellers are far from being locked out of the market. On the contrary, they can take advantage of the fall buying season, with less competition, more eager buyers and many other benefits.

Brought to you by our preferred Partner, HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click www.hmsnational.com