Spring and Summer might be the top home-selling seasons, but Fall also is a great time to sell your home because there’s typically less competition and the market is still very active.
So, if your house is on the market right now, consider giving it an autumn upgrade with these staging suggestions from Realtor.com.
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Focus on curb appeal
To get off on the right fall foot, place a few potted mums in seasonal colors near the door, and then add a simple, natural wreath. A wheelbarrow piled with pumpkins also is a nice accent, but make sure they aren’t being eaten by squirrels or starting to rot. Complete the vignette with a cute fall-themed doormat and shiny light fixtures. Finally, be sure to take care of any errant foliage before potential buyers arrive.
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Think autumn, not Halloween
While autumn seems to be fairly universally loved, not everyone celebrates Halloween or will enjoy a scary Halloween-themed house. If you just can’t resist veering toward the holiday, at least choose cuter, friendlier Halloween décor, like decorated or carved pumpkins, candy corn and friendly ghosts. Cobwebs, however, are a no-go.
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Swap out summer hues with autumnal tones
If summer is all about bright popsicle tones or beachy blues, autumn is associated with warmer neutrals—think deep reds, burnt oranges and golden yellows reminiscent of the shades of fallen leaves. Sprinkle these warmer tones around your house in your table décor, kitchen and bath towers, accent rugs and art. And always make sure the new colors complement the existing palette.
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Embrace cozy
Give your house an autumn vibe by warming up couches and chairs with comfy throws, blankets and pillows in autumnal tones and textured fabrics such as chenille, herringbone, or corduroy. Swap out airy summer sheers for more substantial drapes or shutters, and trade a summer sisal or jute rug for a wool area carpet. Light a fire, if possible, and make sure there are plenty of candles adorning the tables and counters. Finally, don’t forget to turn on extra lamps.
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Appeal to buyers’ sense of smell
While baking a pie in the oven might be an overused home-selling trick, there’s no better time to do so than fall. Scents of cinnamon, apple and pumpkin spice will all help potential buyers picture themselves baking up something luscious. If baking up a treat isn’t your style, add scents around the home via spice-scented candles, oil sticks or potpourri.
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Surprise your visitors with something sweet
Consider placing a simple cylinder filled with candy corn or other colorful fall candies on a buffet. And probably no one—even those who might not be big Halloween fans—will mind if you put out a bowl of fun-size candies, ready for trick-or-treaters as well as home buyers.
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Set the table for a feast
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, families likely will be thinking about gathering loved ones around, maybe even in the new home. Appeal to this dream by setting the table as though you were expecting a large group for a sumptuous feast. Go big with china and crystal and fall-hued place mats and chargers, and dress the table with a runner accented with a fall-themed centerpiece.