Staging for a Successful Fall Home Sale
Fall in Minnesota is in full swing, and with it comes the fresh autumn air, colorful leaves, front porches adorned with pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks—and a great opportunity to sell your home before the snow flies. In fact, you may be surprised to know that more than a quarter of real estate activity takes place in the last several months of the year!
In today’s sellers’ market, buyers continue to snap up desirable homes quickly— primarily those in lower and mid-level price points. If you want to get the best price and the fastest sale, a well-staged home is still critical.
Fall Exterior Staging
First, focus on the exterior. Keep your lawn freshly cut, and rake and bag leaves daily. Play up autumn by using pumpkins, gourds and potted plants and flowers like mums, which come in gorgeous fall colors to give a front porch or steps extra curb appeal.
Steer clear of over-the-top seasonal decorations (think Halloween) that may turn buyers off and keep them from focusing on the attractive features of your home rather than your holiday décor.
Fall Interior Staging
When it comes to the interior of your home, it’s important to keep it cozy but accessible. Autumn temperatures can be unpredictable, so pay attention to forecasts in order to keep your home at a comfortable temperature to create a warm impression with potential buyers. A remotely adjustable thermostat may help. Make sure there is a place to hang coats by the door.
The scents of fall—like apples, warm cider or pumpkin spice—can be a nice addition to a kitchen or living area as well. Use warmers and diffuser to add subtle scents taht are not too over-powering. Add soft blankets and pillows to the couch and light the fireplace if you have one to make the home feel cozy.
The key to flattering lighting is to maintain a bright space that doesn’t look stark. During the day, keep your window treatments open to draw in fall’s natural lighting. In the evening, turn on all lamps and overhead lights.
When it comes to evening showings, don’t forget to ensure potential buyers can easily view your home’s exterior and appreciate its appeal. Turn on outdoor lights and add pathway lights to make sure visitors are sure-footed. Solar-powered path lights are often an easy, affordable way to create attractive, after dark curb appeal.
While this is a great place to start for staging your home this fall, there are a number of tasks when preparing your home to sell. Contact Sarah today to get your personalized plan in action!
