As the warm weather ends and Autumn colors begin to appear in the trees, activities are ramping up all over the place. Kids are back in school, the holidays are nearing, and homeowners are preparing for winter weather. Speaking of houses, with the spooky season comes a new set of advantages in the real estate market. If you want to sell your home and move, congratulations! You’ve picked a great time. Let us tell you why.

Housing inventory is low during this time of year—a typical seasonal trend. Why should you care? It means that what you’re offering will be in high demand. Once you’ve got a bite, and we don’t expect it to take too long as curb appeal is maximized during the Autumn, it’s time to move quickly. For assistance planning and executing your Fall move, contact Maffucci Moving & Storage. We offer free consultations and estimates. 

Get to Know Your Local Market

In recent years, the Northeast population boom has slowed down due to the high cost of living and limited space, especially in large cities like NYC. Likewise, urban areas have undergone a surge in demand, while rural areas have fallen behind. However, places like the Pacific Northwest and the South have grown in popularity due to the many tech companies that have flocked to them and their appeal to retirees. As such, prices have grown tremendously in both. Each regional market will be a bit different, with various factors affecting it, so you need to get to know your current one and the one you’d like to move to.

For one thing, the weather will have an impact on the market. As a company situated in the North, we know all too well how winter weather has a way of creeping in early during the Fall. On top of that, holidays and school calendars largely influence supply and demand. When the kiddies are occupied in science class rather than with the beach, the peak moving season has come to an end. However, that doesn’t mean Autumn is a bad time to sell. There are lots of benefits to relocating in the Fall, including:

• Lower moving costs
• Comfortable weather conditions 
• Longer daylight hours 
• Motivated vs. Motivate
• Time to settle in before the holidays 

Your Guide to Conquering the Housing Market

First, when putting your house up on the market, make it stand out; this is called home staging. There’s something about Autumn that makes a home shine. Take advantage of nature’s natural colorfulness, adorable decor (pumpkins, anyone?), and seasonal flowers to enhance curb appeal. Spend a day doing yard work before you list it, whether that means raking up leaves to make a scarecrow or planting those mums you picked up at the store. When finished with the outside, apply those same methods to the interior. Go for red and orange tones, seasonal candles, wreaths, and harvest-inspired decor to radiate warmth and comfort.

Once you’ve completed home staging, it’s time to think about what you can do to close the deal with an interested buyer. We recommend photographing the property ASAP to sell a home in the Fall real estate market, as natural lighting is ideal early in the season. We also recommend hiring a professional agent to advertise your property in as many places as possible. Another trick we picked up is offering interested buyers seasonal treats like hot cider, powdered donuts, or pumpkin bars. They’re delicious, plus they’ll make your house smell amazing. 

Five Fall Moving Tips

Congratulations! You’ve put your house on the market. It’s a big step and an exciting one at that. Moving during the Fall certainly has its fair share of benefits, like pleasant weather and beautiful scenery to admire on the drive to your new place. When you’re ready to pack it up and head on out, take a peek at our Autumn moving tips for help with handling the unpredictable weather and ensuring a smooth relocation.

1. Plan for a rainy day – Use plastic wrap and bins when you can, keeping your rain jacket and galoshes on deck just in case the weather turns. 
2. Set up utilities in advance – You don’t want to arrive home to a cold house with no power, especially if it’s been windy! Make sure you set up utilities in advance to avoid this. 
3. Clear walkways – Sweep away leaves from the driveway and walkways to minimize the chance of slipping. Wet or dry leaves in these locations especially pose a safety hazard.
4. Cover your belongings—You don’t want to get wet, and neither does your furniture. Wrap furniture in heavy blankets or sheets, and remember to cover rugs, carpets, and floors with plastic sheets or put down cardboard to minimize damage.
5. Dress appropriately – We know you won’t want to wear many layers, but it’s best practice to wear pants, long sleeves, and sneakers on moving days for colder weather and to protect you from injury.

Navigating the Closing Process

Now that all the hard stuff is said and done, it’s time to make a moving timeline and familiarize yourself with the closing process. Keep in mind that the average time to complete a closing process is 43 days, though that can be decreased in an all-cash deal. Leading up to closing day, you can expect an appraisal and a third-party inspection to determine the home’s condition. Any necessary repairs and additional costs will be hammered out during this time, followed by a final walk-through. On closing day, you and your real estate agent (if you have worked with one) will meet the buyers, an attorney, and the closing agent to review the paperwork and make things official. A few ways that you can prepare include:

• Hiring a real estate lawyer
• Opening an escrow account
• Running a title search
• Negotiating closing costs
• Confirming your closing date 
• Working to understand closing documents

For an Easy and Breezy Fall, Move with Maffucci Moving & Storage.

When you’re getting your home ready to sell, it’s important to remember to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all alone. Maffucci Moving & Storage is a full-service business that will do the brunt of the work for you so that you can focus on what matters most– your family. While we can’t guarantee a price drop on your dream home, we can promise one on moving costs. We offer transparent, comprehensive pricing to all clients. From the beginning to the end, our team of expert movers will provide you with the best service possible. 

Contact Maffucci Moving & Storage for a free moving estimate. Whether you’re in the planning stages or ready to move, our team offers personalized advice and support to ensure your move is as cost-effective and efficient as possible.

FAQs

When is the worst time to buy/sell a home?

Studies conducted by the National Association of Realtors have shown that October and December are the slowest months in the housing market. 

Should I use a realtor?

No, you don’t technically need a realtor to sell your home but having one will bring benefits. A realtor will provide optimal pricing, valuable industry knowledge, resource access, and marketing and staging. 

Is Fall a good time to sell?

There are many pros to selling your house during Autumn, like enhanced curb appeal (colorful leaves and seasonal decor) and mild weather for showings and moving. 

Is there going to be a housing market crash?

Not anytime soon. Since most homeowners have significant home equity at this time, experts don’t expect a crash/recession. 

How long does it take to sell a house?

Most people get their homes under contract in about a month. This timeline may be affected by weather/environmental factors, proper pricing, location, and the current market.