Tips for selling a property this Autumn

By the Beresfords Marketing Team - 10th November 2011

If you're considering selling a home in autumn you'll be pleased to hear that this is a key time for the property market. Families have returned from summer holidays. Kids have gone back to school. We are set to enjoy 75 to 80 days of normality!

This is the season when we watch leaves explode in vibrant colours and for sale and sold by boards pop up in gardens. Putting your house on the market in early September means you will appeal to buyers hoping to move in before the Christmas period whilst others wanting to move in the New Year will start doing the groundwork now.

Here are our top tips for selling during the Autumn months:

Few of us like seeing the nights start to draw in and it won't be long before your evening viewers will be arriving in the dark. Make your house feel welcoming by leaving a porch light on and perhaps a table lamp in the front window.

The front of your property can get grubby very quickly at this time of year so windows will need to be cleaned more regularly and the front path swept. If the paintwork needs touching up try and get it done before the winter kicks in. Bear in mind that many people still look at the outside of a house before viewing so first impressions count!

As the temperature falls it is essential that your property is nice and warm when your viewers arrive. Time the heating to come on at least an hour in advance especially if it's empty. Buyers will not be focused on your property if they are shivering.
Why not take some time to make your lounge feel like a refuge from a chilly autumn evening. Use rugs, throws, or cushions to add warm colours to a neutral room; oranges and reds work well. If you have a real fire have it blazing and light a couple of candles.

Don't ignore the back garden; although a thick coating of leaves may look attractive when they have just fallen they quickly turn to mush. Always show prospective buyers the garden last so they don't drag the mud upstairs. Position nice big mats inside the front and back doors.

Gutters and down pipes can get blocked up with leaves at this time of year. You don't want them dripping while you viewers are waiting at the door.

Entrance halls tend to get cluttered up when the weather gets colder with extra coats, wellies, hats and scarves making the entrance hall feel smaller. Think about that vital first impression and move these items into a cupboard before viewings.
If it's pouring with rain, make sure there's space outside for them to park. Arriving drenched to the skin is not the perfect start.

Offer them a hot drink. It's a great way to get potential buyers to sit down and chat and once they've seen the property you can then tell them more about the local area and why it's such a great place to live.

For further tips speak to your local Beresfords office. Full contact details can be found by visiting here or by calling 01245 397497.