The Leaves are Turning – Time to Sell!

As the autumn leaves start to fall, so for sale signs tend to start cropping up in gardens across Britain.

And there’s a very good reason for that: Autumn is a key home selling time - the chaos of summer is over and Christmas is a long time away - long enough, in fact, that if you're lucky you can enjoy putting up the tree and tinsel in your new home. But first you have to sell yours........ as one of the leading estate agents in the North-west, the team at Alan Batt has some top tips for selling fast in the fall:

Gardening
Just because the summer is over and the barbecue put away, don't neglect the biggest room of all - outside. Keep your lawn in tip-top condition with trimmed borders and those fallen leaves popped into composting. It's a great time to prune back the summer excess of foliage and branches and tidy those borders ready for the snowdrops.

Create Kerb Appeal
So most flowers are over - but not all. Instead of the spring bedding plants, spruce up your driveway, patio and front door area with a few tidy pots - maybe a neat evergreen shrub or two?

Window Dressing
Shops dress windows to attract attention - so do the same. This is not the time for privacy and net curtains. Get them washed and polished to remove summer grime and greasy fingerprints, or even paw and nose prints from your beloved pets.

Clean out the fireplace
If you are lucky enough to have a solid fuel fire, or have even had one put in to enjoy a real coal or wood fire, then make the absolute most of it. Make sure it is tidy, clean and burning brightly when viewers come round - it's a sure-fire (!) winner. If it's unseasonably warm, fill the hearth with church candles instead to give the same effect.

Taste the Autumn
Autumn has its own beautiful smells so work with it- make sure you have seasonal food out in the kitchen; apple pies, crumbles, cinnamon, parkin, a good stew, will all fill your home with the nostalgic scents of childhood and family. Add a large bowl of crisp red apples for some visual taste to finish it off.

Nature's Autumn Palette
Take a cue from Mother Nature herself when accessorising - bring to life an old sofa or chair with bright red, orange or golden throws and cushions. Clear away the clutter and place a few bright and bold accent pieces around, grouped in threes or fives. Try taking a leaf out of the magazines, and add a stylish autumnal dining table centrepiece with pine cones, nuts and candles.

Lights, Action, Sell!
Lights and lamps make homes look larger and more inviting - especially if the nights have already drawn in. As the days shorten, the sun sets lower on the horizon and casts longer shadows. You don't want the spooky house; you want a warm and inviting welcome to your viewers. Open curtains and throw that warm glow out. Turn on lights, especially those illuminating dark corners. Use spotlights, table lamps, under-cupboard lights - anything EXCEPT the television.

Say Goodbye with a Treat
Remember that baking mentioned earlier? Turn it to a double advantage and send those now-convinced buyers on their way with a sweet treat, maybe a homemade cookie or brownie to keep them smiling all the way to an offer! 

We’d love to help you sell your house this Autumn, and be in your new home by Christmas. Just give us a call on 01942 233999 and find out why Alan Batt could be exactly the agent you need right now.