Tips to stage and sell your home this fall

Key insights:

• When selling in the fall, curb appeal is important. Rake leaves and plant seasonal flowers to create an inviting yard.
• Stage the interior of your home with warm elements, like cozy blankets and fall scents.
• Draw in potential buyers by taking advantage of fall’s natural light. For extra glow, turn on table lamps and outdoor fixtures.

Fall is upon us, and with it comes crisp air and beautifully colored autumn leaves. It’s a great time for new beginnings, and if you plan to sell this fall you’ll want to get started ASAP to take advantage of the fall foliage. By playing this season to your advantage with refined curb appeal and welcoming interiors, you may draw more interest (and offers) to your property.

Here are top insights for home staging your exterior and interior and selling this season before winter arrives.

Exterior tips for fall home staging

Boost curb appeal with a well-maintained yard

The first step of staging your home for sale in the fall is curb appeal. Focus on fall lawn care by keeping your grass freshly cut and leaves raked daily. This will deliver a polished first impression to interested buyers, both online and in person.

For added allure, play up autumn colors by using potted plants and flowers. Mums, which come in gorgeous orange, red and yellow hues, are ideal. In low quantities, pumpkins and gourds can be used to give your front porch or steps more curb appeal and add a homey quality.

Remember the basics of home staging

Allow your home to take center stage. Steer clear of distracting, over-the-top seasonal decorations (think scarecrows, mummies, ghosts and goblins) that may turn buyers off and keep them from focusing on the attractive, foundational features of your home.

All in all, staging the exterior of your home in the fall is similar to what you would do in summer. A clean, well-kept lawn and simple embellishments will create an inviting outdoor space that showcases the architecture of the house and the size of the yard.

Interior tips for fall home staging

Neutralize the home

It’s always fun to decorate your home for the season, but it’s important to put the interest of the buyer first when staging the interior of your home. To ensure that potential buyers can easily picture themselves and their belongings in the space, make an effort to remove family photos, personal mementos and loud seasonal decor.

Add extra comforts to interior spaces

When staging your home for sale, natural design elements will work in your favor. Plants and neutral colors tend to be well received by interested buyers. And, you can easily make the space more seasonal with a neutral background. Opt for neutral tones such as creamy off-whites and subtle shades of light brown when picking colors for painted walls, throw blankets and other decor pieces.

Additional seasonal elements can add an inviting charm to an open house or showing. Consider incorporating the senses with these fall elements while taking care to maintain a cozy, modest space:

• Use fall flowers and foliage, such as sunflowers, dried grasses or gourds.
• Light the fireplace.
• Incorporate autumnal scents, like apple or spice.
• Replace linens with warm, neutral fall colors.

Simple home upgrades pay off when selling

Finally, little fixes here and there can have a big impact when selling, and cool fall weather is perfect for crossing off those diy to-dos. By completing small home projects like installing a ceiling fan, adding storage space to your garage or painting your walls, you may put yourself in a better position to attract potential homebuyers.

Light up your staged space

Today’s homebuyers want exterior lights

According to a 2021 study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, exterior lighting tied as the first item (among 200 home feature choices) buyers wanted. In fact, 87% of homebuyers were specifically looking for a home with exterior lighting. These features are especially noticed in the fall, when their aesthetics can be admired during a sunny afternoon and their lighting function appreciated when dusk settles in early.

Lucky for today’s home sellers, lighting can be used to your advantage. Not only will lights speak for themselves as an element sought out by buyers, but lights can also enhance other attributes of the for-sale home. For instance, path lighting can light a welcoming walk to your front door, while outdoor wall sconces draw attention to front porch sitting or a unique entryway.

Use lighting to showcase your home

Fall home staging includes thoughtful lighting that invokes a bright space without looking stark, here’s how:

• During the day, keep your window treatments open to draw in fall’s natural lighting.
• At night, turn on side table lamps and overhead lights.
• Consider switching your light bulbs out for warmer tones to better complement fall colors and textures.

When it comes to evening showings, ensure potential buyers can easily view your home and appreciate its appeal. Turn on outdoor lights and add pathway lights to make sure visitors are sure-footed, and make sure all indoor spaces are lighted to invite buyers to take a closer look.

Add more light to your space

Try not to worry if your home’s lighting currently feels lackluster. Instead, pick one or more of these creative tips to add budget-friendly lighting to your home before selling. Here are some interior and exterior lighting solutions:

• Replace lighting around the front door and garage.
• Add uplighting to the porch or deck.
• Install under cabinet lights in the kitchen or bathroom.
• Add lighting around staircases and walking paths.
• Illuminate outdoor lounge spaces with cafe lights.

Stage and sell your home this fall

Follow these fall staging tips, along with our Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Home, to successfully list your home for sale this season.

Keep in mind, a REALTOR^® can offer even more insights specific to your property, area and current market trends. Reach out to Edina Realty or one of our agents for guidance on preparing your space for sale and listing your home for the best price.