Fall might be your best bet if you still want to sell your home. It may be an underrated time since the spring and summer season is when many list their homes. However, buyers may be motivated to move before the cooler weather or the upcoming holiday season. As such, you may face less competition.
Granted, homes cost more, with around 70% of U.S. households not being able to afford a $400,000 home in 2025, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
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To help you have a better chance of your listing standing out, GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT for its tips for those who are getting ready to sell their home this fall.
Boost Curb Appeal
First impressions count. A home that isn’t well maintained may be more noticeable in the fall because of shorter days, damp weather and falling leaves. Even simple tasks like trimming bushes, raking leaves, replacing a dated doormat, washing siding and even strategically placing seasonal flowers can make a massive difference.
Zillow research found that even though 94% of buyers look at homes online first, the curb appeal and exterior of the home can really make a big first impression.
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Stage the Home for a Cozy Fall Feel
Homebuyers want to picture themselves living in the home. It can be hard to do when the home has clutter and too many personalized touches. When it comes to fall, consider a few natural decorative items. Overall, though, you’ll want warm lighting and a clean, clutter-free home.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 83% of real estate agents say that staging makes it easier for their clients to visualize a property as their future home.
Fix Small Issues
Buyers will scrutinize the little things, like a dripping faucet, cracked caulking or fixtures that don’t look quite right. Even the smallest doubt in a buyer could mean the difference between a purchase offer or none at all.
Take the time to make minor repairs, like replacing broken light switch covers. Even a touch of paint can prove to buyers that the home is well taken care of.
Service Major Home Systems
Fall is one of the seasons where buyers may be more conscious about how the cooler weather may affect their home. If you haven’t had your furnace inspected in a while, it might be a good idea to do so. Same goes for your HVAC and chimney.
You don’t want to find out any red flags during the home inspection, after all. Investing a small amount now is worth it to show buyers you take good care of your home.
Update Lighting To Account for Shorter Days
When daylight hours get shorter in the fall, you’re at risk of having poor lighting in the home when buyers come by. As such, the home may feel smaller and less inviting.
You can easily fix this by adding more light fixtures. Consider brighter LED fixtures or incorporating more modern light fixtures to brighten up the place. Plus, better lit spaces will photograph better, leading to better listing photos.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT What Home Sellers Should Do Before Listing This Fall: Here Are the Top 5 Tips
