Traditionally and nationwide, spring (usually the first part of May) has been touted as the best time to sell a house, both to maximize return and to minimize the time on the market. But this can change from region to region and from market to market. So in some areas and markets, fall can be a better time to sell, and, as a result, buyer bids do not cool down with the weather. Here, then, is a guide to selling your house this fall in Chicago.
Analyze the Market and Price Accordingly
Selling your house this fall in Chicago still requires you to look at recent sales of comparable houses in the neighborhood in order to know how to price. First, it’s important to understand what kind of market your local market is so you can price right for a quick sale.
Is it, for example, a buyer’s market? If it is, then there will be more homes for sale than there are buyers, and you may have to price a little lower. If it’s a seller’s market, the houses for sale will outnumber buyers, and you can price higher, maybe even above market value. In the case of a balanced market, in which a balance exists between inventory and buyers, you can price at about market value.
Decorate and Stage According to the Season
Of course, selling your house this fall in Chicago will involve some decorating and staging, but you will need to make sure that it is season appropriate. While not the main reason for a sale, interior decorating and staging do help interested buyers decide in your favor – if what you do is consonant with and complements the fall season.
For example, with Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner, you could use holiday-themed decorations to help buyers envision themselves in your home during those holidays. But remember not to overdo it: moderation and understate are key here. You want to appeal to and entice buyers, not frighten them away.
Inspect and Clean
Spring cleaning isn’t the only cleaning to do for selling your house this fall in Chicago. And while you may not be using the air conditioner or furnace, inspections are still needed to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. Harsh winter weather will be coming soon, and buyers will be interested in knowing that the furnace will work when they need it.
Therefore, cleaning should include cleaning HVAC filters. And don’t forget the fall rains, which means gutters should be cleaned out. Also, with cloudier weather and less sunlight, clean windows become more important for good lighting inside the house to give it a bright, inviting feel.
Touch Up the Exterior
It may be fall with winter just around the corner, but there will still be plenty of beautiful sunny days – with people looking at the outside of your house. So don’t forget the fall yard clean-up and landscaping. A big mistake sellers often make in the fall is concentrating on the inside of the house and neglecting the outside.
As we mentioned you should clean the gutters, but you also need to do the following:
- Pick up all those fallen limbs and branches
- Rake up and remove fallen leaves
- Trim all the shrubs and ornamental bushes
- Weed flower beds
- Aerate the lawn
Selling your house this fall in Chicago can be just as successful as selling during the spring. But you do need to price right and prepare appropriately. In addition, qualified local real estate professionals can be a great asset for fall selling.