How to Sell Your Home in the Fall
2026
If you need to sell your home, fall is a great time to list it, despite conventional wisdom. With less competition for buyers than in the spring, selling now may even turn out to be better financially. Here’s how to sell your home in the fall by marketing to the two types of shoppers most active this time of year: Millennials and Empty Nesters.
Selling your home to Millennials
The market never stops for Millennials. As long as their smartphone or tablet is within reach, they’re active buyers. Fully connected and attached, Millennials will look at listings and analyze data 24/7. Sellers must keep their home in tip-top shape and showing-ready at all times. Most Millennial buyers don’t want to wait for an open house. They prefer to see homes on their schedule, so be ready to accommodate them.
Have great listing photos online the minute the home hits the market. Nothing is more frustrating to young buyers than to be notified via text or email about a property in an awesome location, only to discover the listing doesn’t include any photos.
Selling to Empty Nesters
Empty Nesters are more ‘old school’ than Millennials. They can be slower and more methodical about a purchase. Don’t rush them.
Many older buyers want to downsize. This means they need to sell their existing home before they buy or they will need to take out a loan against their current home to purchase. Juggling finances means they come to the table with an incredible amount of stress. Give them time to process decisions.
Empty Nesters may not be as responsive as other buyers and may not communicate quickly via text or even check email during off hours. If possible, accommodate their response times. If they feel rushed or under the gun, no matter how hot your home or how competitive the market, they may walk away.
Keep in mind that Empty Nesters often have five or six decades of life experience, so they come to the table more informed. Having been through a couple of financial and housing crises, they may be more cautious as they approach retirement and life on a fixed income.
Plan in advance to give buyers what they want. Once you have a buyer ready to go, learn as much as you can about who they are and work with them. What works for some buyers may not work for others.
