September is one of the peak months for buying and selling property, with those who have delayed finding a new home starting to look in line with the new school year….and a new season.
How you prepare your home for sale changes subtly with the seasons, although the transition from summer to autumn is probably the most distinct. Different weather, daylight hours and temperatures will impact your property so if you’re thinking of selling or are already on the market, here are some jobs for September.
Give plants your attention: a scorching hot summer has left many of our plants crispy and unattractive. September is the ideal time to remove any annuals that are past their best, deadhead fading flowers, trim back shrubs that are blocking paths or windows and add new plants that thrive in cooler temperatures, such as pansies, violas, heathers and cyclamen.
Keep on top of fallen leaves: the Met Office has recently released its official storm names for the season. This heralds a swing towards the type of wet, windy weather that prompts trees to shed their leaves. While colourful, crisp leaves look attractive in the park, they can blight your property, making surfaces slippery underfoot. Regularly sweep up fallen leaves and clear your gutters too.
Pre-empt maintenance issues: autumn storms can play havoc with your home but September is a great month to take preventative measures before the worst of the inclement weather sweeps in. Inspect fence panels, check for missing or broken roof tiles, keep drains clear, and look out for water ingress around windows and external doors.
Keep an eye on sunset times: on the 1st September, the sun set at 19:46. By the end of the month, it’ll be 18:40. This is important for sellers who are accommodating viewings in the late afternoon and early evening. Your home will feel darker so now is the time to counteract that with artificial light. Concentrate on illuminating your porch, hallway, and any dark corners in your lounge and kitchen. A combination of wall lights, floor standing lamps and table lamps will banish shadowy areas.
Get your boiler serviced: while September can be a mild month, it won’t be long before you fire up the central heating. Booking a service now will ensure you have heat when you need it, rather than a cold home that is unpleasantly chilly when people visit. It’s also a good idea to get all your gas appliances tested and any open fires/chimneys swept ahead of a sale.
Convert to cosy: the most attractively presented homes always impress in photos and in real life, so consider a styling switch in September. Autumn's colour palette can include russet, golden tones, warm creams, tan and garnet. While we don’t suggest repainting every room, you may like to add splashes of richer colours against a neutral backdrop. Add in tactile fabrics, such as velvet and cable knit, plus soft, ambient lighting to complete the seasonal transition.
If you’d like to start the sale of a property you own this September, contact us. We can book you in for a valuation and get your home on the market in a matter of days.
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