What You Need to Know About Selling Your Portland Home in Fall

The Rules Don’t Necessarily Apply in PDX…

In other cities around the country, it may be smarter to wait until the spring to put your home on the market, but that rule doesn’t exactly apply in Portland. These days, Portland’s real estate market seems to be hot all year round, so you don’t necessarily need to wait until the spring leaves are sprouting on the trees to get the best price possible for your home.

While it’s definitely possible to get a good price for your Portland home in the fall, there are still a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you get the best possible deal. Check out these tips to take full advantage of Portland’s incredible seller’s market, even in the fall.

Take Advantage of Portland’s Foliage

Portland in the fall is a gorgeous time of year—depending on which neighborhood you live in, there’s probably a beautiful array of deep yellows, oranges, and reds mingling with the classic Portland evergreens.

Take some marketing photos of the exterior of your home while the leaves are still full on the trees, albeit colorful. The colorful foliage will add an extra pop to the photos that potential buyers will see online before they view the home in person.

Don’t Let the Falling Leaves Get the Best of You

While the colorful leaves are beautiful when they’re on the trees, they start to detract potential buyers the minute the touch the ground. Keeping up with fall yard work, including raking leaves from the lawn and leaf blowing the driveway and sidewalks, will keep your home looking nicely put together for showings. Be sure to also clear out your gutters of fallen leaves to prevent leaking and water damage to your roof.

Keeping the grass mowed all autumn long will also help to improve curb appeal. One of the amazing things about living in Portland is that there are many native plants and flowers that thrive into the colder months. Snowdrops, witch hazel, and Oregon grapes can bring color into your front lawn even after the leaves turn brown.

Be Ready for Inspection

Because winter is right around the corner, potential buyers will be paying extra attention to the HVAC system in your home. Give your furnace a new filter, and get your whole HVAC system inspected before you begin showing your home.

Your furnace, water heater, and home climate control should all be in mint condition before you start showing your home. You may also want to freshen up your fireplace so that it’s clear of cobwebs.

Decorate for Fall – Within Reason!

As you stage your home for showings, keep in mind that potential buyers will be in a fall state of mind. Put a bouquet of fall flowers, like mums, on the kitchen table; make a trip to Sauvie Island to pick out a few pumpkins for the front porch; and light a pumpkin spice-scented candle before your next open house. On the day of your open house, go the extra mile by baking a pumpkin or apple pie so that your whole home is filled with aroma of fall.

Keep in mind that as we head deeper into fall, the days get shorter and shorter. You may have to compensate for less daylight time by bringing more light into your home. Keeping your home well-lit even if it’s dark or dreary outside will keep your home feeling bright and cheery in addition to allowing potential buyers to see all of the special nooks and crannies of your home.

With the right prep and a good attitude, you can sell your Portland home in the fall at an amazing price. Let the bidding wars commence!