11 Fall Real Estate Tips

As summer turns to fall, the behaviour of many homebuyers changes. Gone are the casual browsers; fall buyers may be fewer, but they’re more motivated. Understanding the changing buyer perceptions when you list your home for sale can help you sell your home in fall more quickly and for a better price. If you’re planning to sell your home soon, here’s what you need to know.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What Is the Real Estate Market Like in Fall? Timing Your Fall Home Sale

Homebuyers often start their property search in spring and purchase in summer. In fall and winter, many buyers pause their search, waiting until after the holidays, the start of the school year, or other reasons. However, those still looking during these months are often buyers who are relocating or have limited time left in their current home. Compared to other seasons, fall homebuyers are typically more motivated and serious about making a purchase.

Starting in September, fall real estate sales typically slow down. Some bidding wars may still occur as summer buyers make last-ditch efforts to buy before the holidays, but sellers need to be creative to attract attention in a quieter market. Sellers listing in fall should expect fewer buyers but more serious offers.

Selling earlier in fall is easier than later in the season, and far easier than selling in winter. Once you’ve decided to sell, put your home on the market as soon as possible.

Alternatively, if it’s already late in the season and you have time to spare, consider timing your home sale and waiting until the spring selling season—especially if you’re in a smaller local market. (There are always buyers in large markets like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, just fewer of them.)

Pros & Cons of Selling a Home in Fall

Most homeowners don’t choose to sell in fall unless necessary, as fewer buyers can lead to a longer sale time. However, there are advantages to selling in autumn. Understanding both the benefits and drawbacks can help you navigate the process more smoothly.

Advantages of Selling a Home in Fall

• Fewer homes go up for sale, reducing competition among sellers.
• Buyers are often motivated to purchase before the holiday season begins.
• Autumn weather can make homes feel warm and cozy, which can enhance staging efforts.

Challenges of Selling a Home in Fall

• Dying plants and fallen leaves can make maintaining curb appeal more difficult.
• Fewer buyers are actively looking for homes.
• If the home doesn’t sell before the holidays, juggling a sale while celebrating can be challenging for the seller.

Tips for Selling a Home in Fall

While selling a home in fall may come with challenges, there are many strategies to make the process easier. Proper staging and timely preparation can make a significant difference.

Take Listing Photos Before the Landscaping Changes

Homes look their best when flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and trees are full of leaves. Even though you’re selling in fall, it’s often better to use photos taken in summer. This practice of taking listing photos in spring/summer to have more appealing pictures after the trees drop their leaves is called “green photography.” Capture exterior shots as early as possible.

You may need to spend some time sprucing up your yard before photographing. Some helpful tips:

• Clean the siding with a hose to remove dirt, mould, and mildew.
• Sweep away dead leaves on sidewalks and driveways.
• Water the grass and shrubs in the days leading up to the photo shoot to ensure everything looks as lush as possible.
• Hire a professional real estate photographer. They know how to showcase your home in the best light and at angles that make it appear spacious and inviting. Many have specialized equipment to take better photos.

Inspect and Repair Your Home: Preemptive Fall Maintenance

As the weather turns colder, problems that weren’t apparent during the summer could crop up during the fall. The last thing you want is to miss a drafty window frame that causes a chill during a home showing, or have your furnace cause problems while you’re navigating negotiations.

Get a pre-listing home inspection or perform a thorough check yourself. Expect to make necessary repairs. In fall, common issues that make homes less desirable include HVAC problems, poor insulation, condensation on windows, and older windows that cause drafts. Be prepared to take on repairs such as:

• Replacing old HVAC systems.
• Sealing ducts.
• Weatherstripping doors and windows.
• Re-caulking around windows.

At the same time, consider getting a home energy audit. Improving energy efficiency can make your home more attractive to buyers, especially when heating is on their minds. Ensure your property is in top shape.

Price Your Property Competitively

Incorrect pricing can be one of the most damaging mistakes when selling your home. Price it too high, and you risk scaring off serious buyers. Price it too low, and you could lose thousands in potential profit. A real estate professional can help you set the right price by comparing similar properties in your area, though there may be fewer than in warmer seasons.

Just because there are fewer buyers doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need to take a price cut to sell. Fall buyers are motivated buyers. That said, concessions such as closing date flexibility can help you secure a buyer faster.

Market Your Home Creatively: Leveraging Online Marketing

Creative marketing is always important, but it’s especially crucial in the fall when many buyers are less active. Your real estate agent can offer suggestions (and may implement these strategies and more for you as part of their professional marketing plan), but here are some ideas:

• Use social media platforms for promotion.
• Create a brochure about your home to display during open houses or showings.
• Offer virtual reality tours of your home.
• Take drone photography for a unique perspective.
• Make full use of your listing description to paint a picture rather than give dry statistics

The vast majority of buyers start their search online, and browsing listings from the couch instead of in person is even more appealing when the weather gets nippy. 3D virtual tours, live video walkthroughs, and other means of enhancing your online listing can help you capture buyers who are reluctant to attend more showings than necessary. It will also help your listing in particular stand out among less comprehensive listings.

Fall Real Estate Staging Tips

Staging your home to sell is important all year, but it’s especially crucial in fall, when potential buyers are drawn to homes that feel comfortable and inviting. Darker days in fall and winter make it essential to keep your home well-lit and clutter-free.

Clean and Declutter

Cleaning and decluttering takes time, so start early. A clean and organized home always makes a better impression on buyers.

• Organize visible clutter on counters and tables.
• Recycle or discard unnecessary items.
• Donate items to charity—with the holidays approaching, there may be more charity options available.
• Host a garage sale to sell unneeded belongings.
• For items you’re keeping but won’t need soon, such as summer clothing, consider renting a storage unit—this will make storage spaces look bigger.

Fall Curb Appeal

While autumn leaves are beautiful, they can also signal extra maintenance to potential buyers. Keep your yard tidy by raking before each showing. Some other landscaping tips:

• Prune overgrown shrubs—preferably early enough that leaves regrow to cover bald spots.
• Plant autumn-blooming flowers to add colour.
• Clear dead leaves and annuals from garden beds.
• Keep the gutters clear.

Creating a Warm & Inviting Atmosphere

Cold or gloomy weather can make it a challenge to get buyers to come out, but it provides a great opportunity to make your home more inviting by comparison.

As the days grow shorter, lighting becomes more important. Make sure that walkways are clear of autumn debris, and consider adding outdoor lighting, such as path lights, if you haven’t already. Turn on all lights for showings, and replace any burnt-out bulbs. Strategically place lamps to brighten up darker areas of the home.

If you have a maintained fireplace, consider lighting it during showings (as long as your real estate agent can monitor it). This adds warmth and ambience to the space. If using candles, opt for electric ones for safety.

Seasonal scents, such as cinnamon and potpourri, can be a double-edged sword. While it can invoke warmth, it can also be a red flag for buyers, as it could be used to cover up unpleasant scents they’ll later have to deal with. Similarly, cookies, cider, and other treats may seem like a logical welcoming gesture, but can often serve as a distraction from the house.

Arrange furniture so that people can easily sit and talk. This shows buyers that your home is great for entertaining—a key consideration as the holidays approach.

Seasonal Décor

Keep holiday decorations minimal and tasteful. Avoid spooky Halloween decorations, but feel free to hang a festive fall wreath on your door or wall.

To maximize the feelings of warmth and coziness, decorate with a few soft throw blankets and fluffy pillows. Textures can be used to great effect when creating a specific atmosphere, and local weather patterns can help you determine how far to lean into the “warm and cozy” vibe.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Contact a Licensed Real Estate Agent

If you’re planning to sell your home this fall, get in touch with a local real estate agent. Homebuyer behaviour changes throughout the year, but an experienced agent will understand buyer expectations and guide you through selling in the slower market. With the help of a professional, selling your home can be a smoother experience.