 | Curb
appeal. Fall can make or break you when it comes to curb appeal and the
all-important "first impression." Leaves turning shades of crimson
and gold can add extra appeal to the total look of your home's exterior. On
the other hand, leaves strewn about your front yard can decrease your home's
visual appeal during that first impression.
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| Celebrating
the season. Add a fall wreath to the front door. Have a few huge pumpkins
and fall display in your front area to welcome visitors (would-be buyers).
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| Scents
of the season. If you're a smoker or have pets, make sure the nose doesn't
know. Eliminate all such offensive odors. If you're holding an open house,
or know you'll have a lot of potential buyers looking on a particular day,
bake an apple pie. Nothing is more inviting than the scent of apples and
cinnamon wafting through the air.
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| Letting
the light in. A dark house is a big turn off. Open up the blinds, let the
light in and turn on the lights during the day. And turn on all those accent
lights and lamps.
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| The
fireplace. The hearth is still an important feature to most buyers,
especially as days grow colder. Make sure yours is clean. Place a log in the
fireplace. Or, consider placing an attractive candelabra or candle-holder
that holds numerous candles in the fireplace for a decorator's touch.
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| Hiring
a home inspector. Once a buyer makes an offer, they will hire someone to
conduct an in-depth inspection of the house. Some sellers like to do this
before they put their house on the market so there are no surprises down the
road. If anything comes up during the seller's inspection, the seller can
get it taken care of before putting the house on the market. The American
Society of Home Inspectors says a typical home inspection includes drainage
conditions, exterior surfaces, decks, chimney, the roof, windows, doors,
plumbing fixtures, furnace, air conditioner, insulation, ventilation,
electrical, heating, and plumbing systems.
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| Tidying
up. If you have a lot of furniture or other "stuff," put some of
it in storage. Put away all those knickknacks and paper piles.
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| Allowances.
If you have carpet, wood floors or cabinets that have seen better days,
consider offering an allowance right off the bat. You'll want to discuss
this with your real estate professional. There are pros and cons -- you
don't get to have that "wow" first impression if you put in those
floors or cabinets yourself before you sell. But you might be short on time
and don't want to run into the holidays -- plus buyers may like the idea of
picking out their own flooring.
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| Your
asking price. Don't insist on setting the price too high, especially if
you're on a timeline. A house priced appropriately will be taken more
seriously and will ultimately sell more quickly than one that's overpriced.
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| Talk
to the professionals. Now's also a good time to interview real estate
professionals. Ask about their experience, find out how well they know the
area you're eyeing, and talk to references. Once you have someone lined up
you can follow his or her additional recommendations and begin the final
phases of preparation before your house goes on the market.
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