It's officially autumn! In preparation for the fall selling season, we reached out to three of the top real estate professionals in New York City to get their take on the best ways to get your home ready to be viewed by potential buyers.
Related: Fall Maintenance Tasks for Your Property
"In a competitive market, it's essential that a seller focus on the little details to ensure their property makes a great first impression," says Lisa Lippman, an agent at Brown Harris Stevens.
Here are some of the top ways to get your home ready for the fall selling season in any market:
In addition to smaller details—such as touching up paint, buying radiator covers and fixing or replacing kitchen cabinets—Lippman suggests the following:
- Color-coordinate the clothes in your closet for the appearance of more space.
- Stage vacant or sparse rooms.
- De-personalize your home–remove photographs and personal collections, and aim to keep trinkets to a minimum.
- Refresh and replace grout as needed in your bathrooms and kitchen.
"Fall is the time when the leaves start to change colors and dictate new design color schemes…and with the change of pace, the sales dynamic changes as well," says Aleksandra Scepanovic, managing director at Ideal Properties Group.
Besides cleaning all the nooks and crannies in your home, and replacing any broken lightbulbs, Scepanovic suggests:
- Create a narrative that speaks of ease and joy of ownership…of this specific space, this specific home. Think about what the buyer would see, and what you'd want them to see.
- Check off the "grand negative impact" items from your list first: a leaking bathtub, a scraped up section of drywall, chipping paint, broken tiles, etc.
- Make spaces neat, open, bright and airy. Start with a neutral base and venture into bolder accents only if your buyer research warrants them.
- Less is always more in a property's sale preparation. Resist the urge to over-decorate.
And here are some suggestions provided by Paula Del Nunzio, an agent at Brown Harris Stevens:
- Eliminate odd odors, and do not use scents as the buyer may dislike the ones you choose.
- Deep-clean all surfaces, wash windows and keep them spotless.
- Remove all cat litter boxes and dog toys a buyer can trip over.
- If you have a garden, keep it colorful with plants that can be replaced if they should die.
Agents, are there any other tips you'd suggest to sellers in preparing their home for the fall selling season?
Change out linens on the bed to something neutral. Busy colors and designs fight for the attention.
Same with Bathrooms, ise white shower curtains, fluffy white towels. Remove used towels, bathrobes and bath mats from the bath.
Nothing is more appealing in the fall to leave the window coverings open in the evening and use a lower wattage lamp on so when you get drivebys they will get a sneak peek of the inside and be enticed to see more. Use a few solar lights to line the sidewalk. Keep the front porch spotless and inviting!
I’d like some feedback on how to keep houses clean and windows spotless when you have either a seller who doesn’t care or a seller who has already moved?
I agree totally but also like to remove heavy drapes cornice covers to allow more light throughout the home. Take down wall paper strips and again less is more, open spaces with selected pieces of furniture.