Deciding to place your home on the market this fall? That’s great! Getting your home ready for sale is just as important in the fall and maintaining curb appeal requires different attention then in the spring and summer. Follow these six tips for selling your home this fall, and you might just get it sold before the last leaf falls.

Tips for Selling Your Home this Fall & Easy Fixes to Help Buyers Fall in Love

1. Don’t ‘Leave’ a Mess

While fall leaves are gorgeous to look at on trees, once they hit the ground they no longer add to the beauty of your property. Make a good first impression and get rid of leaves with a leaf blower or rake so the first thing sellers see is your home, not the amount of raking they will have to do each year! Clear walkways, your driveway and your lawn and be sure to pick up any stray branches as well.

2. Fall for Flowers

Gardens and landscaping can add to curb appeal when selling your home. Decaying plants, especially at the front of your home, don’t exactly say, welcome. If your summer flowers have died, it’s best to replace them or remove them.  Consider planting mums or fall flowers in flower beds and adding fresh mulch. (Mums can withstand cooler weather and come in beautiful fall colours). If you don’t have a garden or prefer not to plant flowers in them, try using urns or large pots instead.

3. Don’t be a Bore, Paint your Door

A freshly painted front door in a complimentary colour can give your home an upgraded look and help set it apart from other homes in the neighbourhood. Early fall, before wet and cold weather hits is perfect for painting as the summer humidity and bright sun can cause a paint job to peel or crack. Another way to dress up your door is to change the hardware. Having new locks or handles without scratches or dents in an updated finish can make your door seem like new. This attention to detail can make the right first impression as buyers enter your home.

Hint: Choose a colour that will brighten up your façade and compliment your brick. While it’s best to keep exterior paint colours neutral on windows, garage doors and siding, the front door is a chance to use colour. Have grey brick? Consider a deep red or blue. Not sure what to choose? Ask Casey Ragan for staging advice.

4. Lighten Up

Let’s face it without the summer sun, on darker days the inside of homes can look dreary. Here are some tips to minimize the impact of duller days.

• Clean your windows and screens on both sides before listing
• Make sure all blinds, and window coverings are open as wide as they can go
• Show your home earlier in the day if possible
• Consider outdoor landscape lighting, patio lighting or solar pathway lighting

5. Give Sweater Weather Vibes

Keep your home feeling cozy from the outside in. Incorporate fall décor around your home’s exterior – it can be as simple as a wreath on the front door to a fully staged fall patio session, complete with chunky knit blankets and all! Inside, consider highlighting your fireplace if you have one, minimize clutter and placing a throw on the couch. Make your home feel welcoming and buyers may just want to stay.

6. Festive Frights Not Always a Delight

If you’re selling your home during Halloween season, unless you’re selling to the Addams Family, you might want to nix the spooky décor. If you want to decorate, use pumpkins or décor that can be easily stored away during showings. Just be sure the festive spirit doesn’t dampen the buying spirit of those viewing your home.

Fall is the time for new beginnings. Follow these tips to help get your home sold and hopefully before you know it, you will be starting yours.