Thinking about selling your home this autumn? You don’t necessarily need to wait until the leaves start falling before making a move.
We may still be enjoying the final weeks of summer, but September is just around the corner. For homeowners considering putting their property on the market, August can be an ideal time to start preparing.
Autumn traditionally brings a change of pace to the property market. The summer holidays come to an end, families return to their normal routines and buyers who may have put their plans on hold during July and August start looking seriously again.
So, if an autumn move is on your mind, what should you be doing now?
Is autumn a good time to sell a house?
Autumn can be an excellent time to put a property on the market.
There are still plenty of buyers searching for homes, and those actively looking as we move towards the latter part of the year can be particularly motivated to secure a property and get their move underway.
September also has the advantage of arriving immediately after the main summer holiday period, when some buyers and sellers may have temporarily taken their foot off the pedal.
The important thing is to be ready.
Get your home ready while the days are still long
Late summer gives you an opportunity to tackle some of those jobs that become less appealing once the colder and wetter weather arrives.
Take a good look at the outside of your property. Does the garden need tidying? Could the front door do with a fresh coat of paint? Are there overgrown shrubs to cut back, gutters to clear or small maintenance jobs you’ve been putting off?
You don’t necessarily need to spend thousands of pounds preparing a property for sale. Often, a few relatively simple improvements can make a significant difference to that all-important first impression.
Take advantage of the summer light
If you’re planning to launch your property in September, preparing your marketing now can have another advantage: photography.
Longer days, greener gardens and better natural light can help present a property at its best.
Good property marketing isn’t simply about taking photographs of every room. It’s about considering the presentation of the property, choosing the best angles and making sure the features that are most likely to attract buyers are properly showcased.
After all, before someone books a viewing, you first have to persuade them to stop scrolling and take a closer look.
Think carefully about your asking price
Presentation will help attract attention, but the asking price remains one of the most important decisions when bringing a property to market.
The first few weeks of marketing are particularly important. This is when your home is new to the market and likely to attract the greatest initial attention from buyers.
An asking price that reflects current local market conditions can help generate viewings and, potentially, competition between interested buyers.
Price too ambitiously, however, and you risk missing that initial opportunity.
That’s why it’s important to look beyond an online estimate and understand what comparable properties are actually selling for in your local area.
Make your home feel welcoming as the seasons change
A home that looks bright and fresh in August may need presenting slightly differently as we move through September and October.
As daylight hours shorten, make sure rooms remain bright for viewings. Open curtains and blinds, switch on lamps where necessary and make the most of any particularly attractive autumn features.
Fireplaces, comfortable living rooms, dining spaces and attractive gardens can all help buyers imagine themselves living in the property.
The aim isn’t to fill the house with autumn decorations. It’s simply to create a home that feels comfortable and welcoming.
Should you sell now or wait until spring?
It’s a question homeowners often ask, but there isn’t one answer that applies to everybody.
If you’re ready to move, there may be little benefit in automatically waiting another six months simply because spring is traditionally associated with the property market.
Your decision should be based on your own circumstances, the level of demand for properties like yours and what’s happening in your local market.
And remember, putting your home on the market doesn’t mean you have to accept an offer you’re unhappy with. Ultimately, you remain in control of whether you sell and at what price.
Planning an autumn move?
If you’re considering selling this autumn, now is a good time to start the conversation.
At Skitts Estate Agents, we’ve been helping people move since 1979. We can advise on current local market conditions, an appropriate marketing strategy and the asking price we believe will give your property the best opportunity of attracting buyers.
Book a free market appraisal with your local Skitts office and get your home ready for the autumn property market.
