If you have a house you want to put up for sale, you’ve probably been told that fall and winter are seasons when you have to set a lower price. Apparently, it’s statistically proven that spring and summer are the best times to sell houses. But what if we told you that there’s a way to make your house much more attractive to potential buyers?
Real estate experts have many tricks up their sleeves, and they know that fall, particularly the Halloween season, offers a unique opportunity if you play around a little with this fall holiday. We’ve always been told that you have to create an emotional connection with potential customers. You’re not selling a house; you’re offering them a home where they can spend many happy moments.
If you play your cards right, seasonal fall decor will remind everyone who comes to see the house of a home full of community and tradition. Who doesn’t have fond memories of Halloween? Everyone has dreamed of growing up and becoming the neighbor on the street who hands out the best candy and chocolate bars. It doesn’t have to look like a Tim Burton movie, but tasteful decor can remind buyers that this will be a home that happily celebrates all American holidays.
The Power of Decorating
The goal is not to make your home look like a haunted house, but to help buyers imagine the memories they will create in this space. This is the case in Tarrytown, NY, the town that inspired Sleepy Hollow. Realtor Marcene Hedayati (of Corcoran Legends Realty) says that community celebrations “enchant” buyers, attracting visitors from across the country.
Even historic homes that can be difficult to sell make people succumb to the charm of fall. Director Bob Berriz (Berriz Design Build) sold a Victorian home in Virginia thanks to the atmosphere. He decorated it with “illuminated pumpkins, orange lights, and some cobwebs” to create the perfect ambiance. And it worked: he received three offers in a single week.
Cute Halloween, not too spooky
To attract potential buyers, real estate experts focus more on the garden and the entrance. It is best to emphasize natural elements: real pumpkins, bales of straw, and some plants that bloom in autumn, such as chrysanthemums.
We must enchant all the senses. The strongest, even if we don’t believe it, is the sense of smell. Using soft, themed candles or diffusers will help a lot. Smells like apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spices create a cozy feeling that will make us feel at home instantly.
If you’re having an open house, offer local seasonal delicacies to make it a memorable experience. Anyone can offer delicacies purchased at Costco that same morning. But offering apples from a local variety, a glass of hot cider, or artisanal cheese made in the county will remind potential buyers that there is a local identity they can belong to. Who wants impersonality when they can fantasize about living in the little town from Gilmore Girls?
What not to do when selling your house in October
Remember to focus more on the festive side of fall than on the gory side of Halloween. Needless to say, it’s best not to use fake blood, zombies, giant skeletons, and fog machines in your decorations. No one wants to visit a house that gives them even the slightest feeling of bad vibes or wandering spirits. What’s more, if you go overboard with the decorations, not only will you scare off more moderate buyers, but you may also hinder the inspector’s work when assessing the property fairly.
Apart from this, the same advice applies as for the rest of the year: remove family photos, mementos, and very personal items. The buyer should be able to see themselves living there, not intruding on someone else’s home (yours). While we’re not in favor of painting the entire house gray, a fresh coat of paint will brighten it up and give it a neater appearance. We wish you luck in selling your home this season.