Most homes go up for sale in the spring, according to the financial website Motley Fool; however, selling in fall can have some advantages for a seller. Homes that go on the market in the fall are likely to have less competition, for one thing. If you decide to sell your home in the fall, the season should factor into some of your decorating decisions. When it comes to home staging, there are a few areas where you will want to exercise care. Avoid the following mistakes when staging a home in the fall.
1. Going Overboard With the Fall Theming
When it comes to home staging, it is always better to err on the side of understatement. One of the key skills in home staging is knowing when to stop decorating. You want the home to stand out to prospective home buyers, not your taste in knickknacks. A wreath for the door and a couple of small decorations and you should be OK.
2. Not Doing Enough
On the opposite end of going too far with the fall theme, there is the issue of not decorating enough. When you stage a home, you want to create the warmest possible atmosphere in order to make a good first impression. A welcoming decor can have an especially positive effect during what can be a gloomy and chilly part of the year.
3. Failing to Adequately Light the Home
Fall is when the days start to get noticeably shorter, which means that it gets darker earlier. Not only can this affect a buyer's mood, but it can also affect the way they see your house. Get around this by increasing the amount of light. Change the light bulbs in your fixtures to brighter, warmer options. You should also have as many lights turned on as possible. Make sure your windows are clean and open the shades.
4. Neglecting Fall Curb Appeal
Your home's exterior is especially important in the fall. The later in the season you get, the harder it is to keep your landscape looking good. To compensate for the fact that you will not have brightly colored summer flowers, you will need to bring in some potted plants. You should also keep up with the leaf-raking. A home starts to look neglected if there are 4 or 5 inches of leaves covering the yard around it. If you really want to avoid the abandoned look, inspect your exterior paintwork for peeling paint or damaged siding. The absence of a vibrant garden might make these factors even more noticeable.
5. Focus on the Fireplace
What can make a room more cozy in chilly fall weather than a fireplace? Stage the room to make the fireplace the focus. Not only can the fireplace itself instantly make a room feel cozier, but the mantel and what is on it can also be the center of attention when there is no fire burning.
Selling a home in the fall can be challenging. To succeed, you will have to make good decisions with regard to decor, landscaping, and lighting. Learn more about home staging in the fall, contact Creative Home Stagers today