Autumn is fast approaching, and you’ll have likely noticed the weather starting to turn. Although spring is often considered the best time of the year to sell a property, autumn can also be a good time, especially under the right circumstances. Despite the turn in weather as summer passes, people are still keen to get on with house hunting and will be scouring the list of properties for sale in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.
In this guide, we’ll go through the reasons that autumn can be a great time to sell a house.
Reasons why autumn can be a great time to sell a house
Sometimes, it can be difficult to time the housing market to work in your favour, especially if you need a quick sale. However, if you are looking to sell in autumn town, there are several reasons why it can actually be a great time to get your property on the market.
September is the academic new year
People often view September as a new start, and it is often a time for change. This is often related to the academic year starting in September, with children starting new schools or joining new classes, this feeling of change can also be reflected by the parents.
The property market can slow down during summertime, which usually makes for a push in interest during autumn once people start returning from their summer holidays and prepare for the new school year to start in September. This can often mean families looking to move are trying to get it done quickly, making it a great time for those wanting to sell.
A change in market perception
As the days start to get shorter and the temperature starts to drop, evenings in the garden start to lose their appeal and more people will spend time within the same four walls. This can be the realisation some homeowners need to want to look for a more spacious property.
It’s not just larger properties that can do well during autumn, smaller houses have a cosy appeal which can be the deciding factor for couples and first time buyers that are looking to move into an initial property.
Buyers are keen to move before Christmas
One of the main reasons why autumn can be a fantastic time to sell your property is because buyers are keen to get their moves done and dusted in time for the Christmas period.
Buyers often want to get the move sorted in good time, so it’s best to get your property listed as soon as possible. If you leave it until October time, it might be difficult to get the entire process dealt with before Christmas comes around.
Tips for selling your home in Autumn
If you need some pointers for selling your home during the autumn period, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled some ideal tips that can help your property stand out in the market during the autumn.
Organise early viewings
It can be more of a challenge for your house to stand out in the dark and as the days get shorter, evening viewings don’t always set the best first impression. Homes generally look more appealing during the daytime, so it’s recommended that you try and arrange earlier viewings.
It might be difficult to organise multiple daytime viewings during the week as most people are at work, so it’s a good idea to make time during the weekends to try and accommodate for more potential buyers coming to view your house.
Ensure your house is well lit
It can be challenging for natural lighting to brighten up your home during the autumn, so to combat the issue, it can be worth investing in some nice lighting. For rooms with large windows, be sure to open all the blinds and curtains as nothing beats natural light. However, for rooms that don’t have the luxury of larger windows, be sure to ensure they are well lit through other means.
Clean the outdoors of fallen leaves
If you’ve got trees and hedges around the garden, you’ll likely be aware of how much of a mess fallen leaves can cause during the autumn. External house maintenance is always important, but even more so whilst you are trying to sell your property, and it can get even messier during the autumn!
Be sure to give any pathway and driveways a sweep and any grassy areas a thorough rake. You’ll also need to clear the drains and gutters of any fallen leaves to leave the exterior of your home looking spotless.
Make use of the heating
As the days get shorter, the temperature starts to drop. The last thing you want during a house viewing is for your guests to feel uncomfortable due to being cold, so you’ll want to keep your house at a cosy temperature.
Of course, there’s no need to overdo it and have the heat sweltering, but a nice temperature can go a long way in creating a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere that helps to appease viewers.
Final thoughts
Whilst it can seem impossible to time the sale of your property to perfection, autumn can be a welcome selling time under the right circumstances. If there’s no need to rush your property onto the market then take your time, but if you think selling in autumn could work in your favour, you should look to start the process.
