With the summer heat still beating down, it feels a little crazy to start thinking about autumn and the cool weather. Yet, that’s what you’ve got to do if you’re planning to sell your home soon.
Unless you’re planning on breaking speed records and compromise along the way, it’s probably too late to achieve an optimal summer sale. But that’s really not a problem. Autumn is a great time of year to sell your home. It accounts for almost 30% of all properties sold.
As seasoned real estate agents, we know there’s never a bad time of year to sell. The only mistake you can really make is to rush your preparation, or ignore it altogether.
With an autumn sale, you might even time your marketing campaign perfectly for the start of interest rate cuts from the current 4.35% level.
If you’ve been following the real estate headlines, you’ll know that if the Reserve Bank of Australia has not started to cut the rate by March or April, the expectation among buyers will be at fever pitch.
Also, we believe the impact of the tsunami of properties that came onto the market last spring – a glut that hit price performance – will have dissipated by the time we turn back the clocks on April 6.
Here are 10 autumnal tips to prepare your home for sale as the days begin to cool.
Light It Up: The days will be getting shorter. Make sure all your outdoor lights work and consider adding cosy lighting indoors.
Spruce Up the Front: Trim bushes and ensure you have a tidy lawn. Plant some late-blooming flowers like chrysanthemums to add a splash of colour. Rake away fallen leaves, especially from the footpath and entry gate. First impressions really count!
Clean the Gutters: Make sure leaves are not clogging your gutters and potentially causing water damage.
Highlight Autumn Colours: Incorporate rich autumnal hues like burnt orange, deep red, and golden yellow into your décor. Use these colours in cushions, throws, artwork, and even fresh flowers.
Autumnal Scents: Use essential oil diffusers with scents like cinnamon, clove and cedarwood to create a warm and inviting aroma throughout the house. Consider a subtle scent of woodsmoke for fireplaces that can’t be used.
And Do the Basics: Ensure your home is always tidy before potential buyers inspect your property. Depersonalise and declutter your home as much as possible. And if your interior is looking a little weather-worn, you have time to repaint.