Fall is an excellent time for listing a home because the kids are in school, the temperatures have gotten cooler and people are ready to be out viewing it and looking at their next family home. With temperatures in the 60’s to the 80’s, it’s a great time to tour open houses, look at properties and settle in to a new home before the winter months come.
As a seller, it is a good idea to take a walk around your home. You may do this with the realtor. Be honest about sharing any areas that need repair and consider what you might do to improve the value of your home with some low cost maintenance or investment to perk up your property outdoors and in. It is often said that you have seven seconds for a first impression, so make sure that your curb appeal counts when realtors interested in showing the property and potential buyers drive up. Then follow through by making sure you have a complete, clean, and honest package to offer with your sale.
Make Sure Your Home Is Clean For Property Disclosure
Texas Property Code requires sellers to give the buyer a disclosure form, which your realtor will prepare. State law ensures that certain details of your property must be told to the buyer to establish an open book. Consulting with your realtor to ensure that you have as many of these points checked off so there are no hang ups in the sale will go a long way toward how to sell your house fast without any glitches.
Things that must be disclosed are conditions like termite infestation, past or present, and any use of asbestos which can be found in older homes. Working smoke detectors should be installed to local building codes and are a small expense that can save you money in the long run by making the house safe. The Seller’s Disclosure of Property Condition must also include deed restrictions, homeowner association fees and even the contents of some appliances as well as any noted areas that need repair in the home or on the property,
Newly built homes are often exempt from this but pinpointing areas that you would want fixed if buying the home is a good place to start so that when negotiations start you get the best offer with the least fuss for your house.
Maintain Your Lawn and Entry to Enhance Curb Appeal
In fall, lawns may have debris from leaves and other lawn maintenance and you want to ensure that grass clippings and any yard waste are removed before having your home shown to a buyer. A well-manicured lawn on the outside makes buyers feel that the homeowner takes pride in their home and that care translates to the interior as well.
A wide fieldstone path that is even, clean and leads up to a freshly painted front door can make or break your home. Even an older cement poured walk can be appealing if lined by manicured bushes or well-tended flowerbeds. Fall is a great time for late blooms to enhance your landscape and popping in a few annuals between perennial bushes can give your home that wow factor.
It is important to make sure your entry way is inviting. If you have a porch, a nicely placed set of chairs adds a welcome touch. Investing in a stylish address plate can add a finishing touch. A new welcome mat makes things look fresh and is a low cost accent that can help sell your home in the fall by creating a new feel no matter how old your build is.