Top Tips for an Autumn Move

26th October 2018

Autumn is always a busy time for the market. Sales traditionally rise in the months of September and October, and our website has seen a spike in web traffic, up nearly 25% on the same time last year, proving this year is no different.

The summer holidays have come and gone, the kids are back at school and Christmas is around the corner with some people determined to be in their new home for the festivities.

Fundamentally, marketing at the right price is key to selling your house but we have come up with some tips that can boost your chances of a sale in the Autumn months.

- Few of us like seeing the nights start to draw in and your evening viewers will now 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 itâ??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.

- Entrance halls tend to get cluttered up when the weather gets colder with extra coats, wellies, hats and scarves making what is one of the smallest areas of a property, the hall, feel even smaller. Think about that vital first impression and move these items into a cupboard before viewings.

- Offer them a hot drink. It's a great way to get potential buyers to sit down and chat and once theyâ??ve seen the property you can then tell them more about the local area.

- On that last point, nobody knows your location as well as you do. The two key elements are your property and where it is. Your home will sell itself but you can sell the area so if the viewers have children, tell them where the nearest park is or if they commute how long it takes you to walk to the station.

For further tips give your local Beresfords office a call.