Tips for Selling Your Home This Fall

It’s no secret that 2021 has been a banner year for the real estate market. The rise of WFH – work from home – due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a swell of workers to make moves, both literally and figuratively. Across the country, housing has been the hot commodity, with homes being snatched up within hours of being listed (along with 10 or more offers well over the listing price). Although experts predict that the rapid growth will slow to more moderate levels during fall and winter, the remaining months of 2021 are expected to still be an excellent opportunity for home sellers.

“If you’ve been considering downsizing and moving to senior living, fall 2021 is the perfect time to do it,” says Kevin DeAcosta, President and CEO of The Highlands at Wyomissing®, the only nonprofit Life Care Community in Berks County, PA. “You’ll be able to take advantage of this amazing housing market and get the highest price possible for your home. Then, you won’t have to worry about turning around and buying another home at record-high prices because senior living communities don’t fluctuate as rapidly as the rest of the housing market.”

Besides not having to stress about buying a new home in this hot housing market, senior living communities offer a wide variety of benefits to older adults, such as independent living, assisted living and Personal Care and other care services that enhance older adults’ quality of life.

If you haven’t gone through the selling process in a while, you may be wondering how to entice potential buyers and sell your home for the most money possible. While it’s always important to hire a professional from your area’s pool of real estate agents, here are some things you can do prior to meeting with an agent to help you get your home ready to sell this fall.

Improve your curb appeal.

As the old saying goes, “you only have one shot to make a first impression.” For your home, that’s curb appeal – the first thing that potential buyers see when they pull up your driveway. Fall can be a beautiful time of year, but it also is a season of falling leaves, dying garden plants and winterizing. Here are some things you can be doing to make sure your home looks picture-perfect:

●      Clean gutters and ensure that falling leaves are raked up and disposed of on a regular basis

●      Trim back any overgrown bushes and clean out any weeds from the garden beds (and cracks in sidewalks or driveways)

●      Add some cheery seasonal flowers for color – mums are always a great choice

●      Be sure you have adequate, bright lighting for your exterior so that when dusk falls, your home always looks warm and welcoming

Price your home appropriately.

Yes, it’s a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean the sky’s the limit when it comes to setting a listing price. If you set your home price too high, you’ll turn off potential buyers. If you set the price too low, you could end up leaving money on the table. This is why it’s always good to hire a professional real estate agent who knows your area so that he or she can advise you on the best pricing strategy. It’s better to set your price reasonably so that you attract as many people as possible (and hopefully setting yourself up for multiple bidding wars).

Declutter and depersonalize.

Potential buyers need to be able to visualize themselves in your home, which is why real estate agents tell you about the importance of decluttering and depersonalizing your space. Since the changing seasons often mean switching out decor and other items with the weather, this is the perfect time to get rid of old items you don’t want anymore while airing out your living space. Pack away your spring and summer clothes, take down family photos and make your home as attractive – and impersonalized – as possible.

Make little tweaks for a significant impact.

Pull out your “honey-do list” and tackle the easiest ones that will make a significant impact on buyers. Fewer buyers are interested in fixing up a house during the fall months, mainly because of the weather issues. Take some time to make the house move-in ready, such as a fresh coat of paint on the walls, replacing stained or damaged carpet, repairing broken windows, fixing squeaky doors and the like. Be sure to replace any burnt-out lightbulbs and consider adding in higher-wattage bulbs along with additional lighting options. Since fall means less daylight, you may have more showings during the dusk and evening hours. Having lots of light will keep your house from feeling gloomy and make it a lot more welcoming.

Decorate appropriately.

The fall and winter months are some of the most beautiful when it comes to decorating our homes. Remember that a little goes a long way – things like colors and patterns can easily add a fall feel without having to fill your home with scarecrows and hay bales. You may also want to consider using seasonal scents like apples, cider and cinnamon to put buyers in a cozy state of mind. Candles are a great way to add both visual and scented interest during an open house.

Here’s some great news for seniors living in Wyomissing, PA: the housing market is incredibly competitive, meaning that you should be able to sell your home fairly quickly. This is especially true if you follow the above tips and hire a real estate professional. Getting your home in order for fall is a great step toward ending 2021 with a bang and starting your new retirement life in style.

Your Remarkable Future Awaits.

The Highlands at Wyomissing opened its doors in April of 1989 with apartments for those who needed a helping hand with daily activities. Since then, we have grown into a large community of homes and apartments, amenities and services, and so much more.

With over 113 acres of gently rolling hills, lush walkways and towering trees, The Highlands at Wyomissing has offered stunning amenities, engaging activities and endless opportunities for more than 30 years. Located just outside of Reading, Pennsylvania, we’re proud to be the only nonprofit Life Care Community in Berks County, where residents are free to live their active, independent lifestyles with a continuum of care available right at home if they ever need it.

When you choose The Highlands at Wyomissing, you’re free to create a retirement that mirrors what you’ve always wanted for your future. What are you waiting for? Get a taste of what life is like on our vibrant campus at The Highlands at Wyomissing by contacting us at 610.370.6668 for more information.