comScore
ADVERTISEMENT
Your browser is not supported. We do our best to optimize our websites to the most current web browsers. Please try another browser.
Skip to main content

Scott McGillivray Explains Why Fall is the Ideal Season to Sell Your Home

Scott McGillivray Explains Why Fall is the Ideal Season to Sell Your Home

Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.

ADVERTISEMENT

Did you miss this year’s prime spring real-estate selling season? Not to worry. Fall is also an ideal time to sell your home, complete with its own set of specific advantages. Read on to learn how you can maximize your real-estate game this autumn.

More Time for Curb Appeal
If your house needs exterior work, fall is the ideal season to sell. Don’t put your house on the market in the spring with these reno projects incomplete. Give yourself the warm weather months to paint the exterior, fix the deck or install a new fence, and don’t try to rush these projects so you can list in the spring. Waiting it out until fall, and having the right curb appeal, might just get you a higher selling price.

Less Competition
Most people list their homes come spring, and that’s a given. By the time autumn rolls around, most sellers have either sold their place or taken it off the market. This means less competition on the real-estate market. The reduced inventory also means fewer options for buyers, and that can potentially lead to a more competitive price for your home.

Related: 10 Sneaky Staging Tricks to Watch Out for When House Hunting.

Corporate Moves
To avoid higher “on season” real estate rates, employers who need to relocate their workers often wait for the fall, when the market tends to cool down. These out-of-towners will probably need to get through the process quickly, which could mean a relatively speedy closing on your sale.

More Serious Buyer Pool
The best thing about selling your house in the fall is that you’re dealing with a more serious pool of buyers. By the time September or October rolls around, these buyers are itching to get their move settled. Nobody wants to move in the snow or during the busy holiday season, so potential buyers usually want to get things signed and sealed as quickly as possible.

ADVERTISEMENT

Different Demographics
Autumn is when both empty-nesters and millennials begin looking for new properties. Stage your house to appeal to these buyers. Empty-nesters are often looking to downsize, so it’s a good time to sell a condo or a small house. If you have a large three or four bedroom house, consider staging one of the bedrooms as a home office or TV room to help them visualize how they can use the space. When marketing to millennials, also help them see the potential of the space. For instance, with a two or three bedroom house, consider staging one room as a nursery.

Related: 10 Things You Need To Do In Your Garden This Fall.

Flexible Market
As you enter the market in fall, chances are good that those still left on the market from spring and summer will be desperate for a sale. If you’re selling in the fall, it likely means you’re also buying something new, and you’ll likely find that those sellers are more willing to negotiate. If you can snag a deal on your new home, you’ll be able to make more strategic decisions in the selling of your old home.

An Attentive Realtor
Marketing from an agent is a big part of selling any home, and when you sell at your agent’s busiest time, which is spring, you run the risk of getting a little less attention than you may want. But if you can catch them during the off-season, he or she can give your sale more consideration, and perhaps even allot more of the marketing budget to your property.

ADVERTISEMENT

Images Courtesy of The McGillivray Group and Getty Images



Latest News

October 8-9, 2024 is Prime Big Deal Days, so check out these amazing home deals and start shopping!
October 8, 2024
Pinterest is becoming the go-to source for home decor trends and design inspiration. What's trending now? Read on to find out...
October 1, 2024
Randy and his team take on a custom three-story home at the Brigus waterfront.
September 30, 2024
A school calls in Randy and the team for a yard-to-outdoor classroom makeover.
September 28, 2024
Trust the process with Ali and her team as they design a high-end home with striking features.
September 28, 2024
Preparing your patio furniture for winter is a simple way to extend its lifespan and ensure it's ready for next summer.
September 27, 2024
Find out how to educate yourself and show support for Indigenous survivors and communities on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
September 26, 2024
These Halloween decorations are all under $30, so they won’t break the bank and can be reused again and again.
September 26, 2024
Ali Budd and her team create a chic family home, complete with glam room and theatre.
September 24, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
This content is restricted to adults of legal age.
Please enter your birthdate to confirm.
Date of Birth