According to some Chicago area residents, fall is the best season of the year! Sunlight becomes less intense, the nights cool down, and the humidity drops. Trees change color and transform our landscape. Thanks to mild weather and beautiful scenery, Chicago home sales are always humming in the fall! In fact, autumn is a great time to buy or sell a Chicago area home.
If you’re a home seller, you can leverage the season with simple, cost-effective home staging. Here’s some fall home staging tips you can use right away!
Outdoor home staging:
- Keep the lawn cleared of leaves and keep the grass cut.
- Clean up garden beds by pulling weeds and removing any dead plants.
- Keep the walkway and driveway free of leaves and debris.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts.
- Power wash your home’s exterior. Wash the windows inside and out.
- Add seasonal decorations, but skip the Halloween décor while your home is on the market. Instead, place colorful potted mums by the front entrance, and by deck or patio areas. Include a pumpkin or two. Place an autumn wreath on the front door, and compliment it with a fall-themed welcome mat.
- While your home is on the market, keep your exterior lights on for a few hours each evening. Buyers might look at your home from the street before scheduling a tour.
Indoor home staging:
- Pack away summer decorations, toys, clothing and sports equipment. Organize your closets and storage areas, including the garage.
- If your home has a fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned. Make sure the damper works. Decorate the mantle with seasonal accents. A well-maintained, attractive fireplace makes a great focal point!
- Deep clean your home, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. After that, have a daily quick-clean routine so your home is always ready for showings.
- When adding autumn décor, include natural textures, along with warm, neutral colors and seasonal items. For example, woven baskets are great for displaying apples in the kitchen, and for holding colorful gourds on the coffee table. A small wooden bowl can hold guest soaps in the washroom. Furniture will look cozy with fall throw pillows and a draped, knitted throw blanket. Browse fall ideas on Pinterest or flip through home magazines.
- Your home should be well-lit for showings. Warm LED lights are best for the living room, dining room and bedrooms. Curtains and blinds should also be adjusted to allow ample natural light.
- Seasonal scents, like apple spice, vanilla, pumpkin spice and cinnamon can make your home feel warm and inviting. But, don’t go overboard! Scents should be subtle and pleasant.
If you’re getting ready to sell, give us a call! We can provide a market value estimate for your home, along with pre-sale guidance to help you get the best price. There’s no fee and no obligation.
StartingPoint Realty – serving Chicagoland since 2004!
StartingPoint Realty proudly serves home buyers and sellers throughout the entire Chicago area. We offer free, first-time home buyer seminars every month! We offer free home selling seminars too! Contact us for your free home buying or home selling consultation!
Ryan Gable Broker/CEO Starting Point Realty
Phone: 847.348.1154
Email: RyanGable@startingpointrealty.com
https://startingpointrealty.com/
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