Do you have your home on the market heading into the fall and your summer plants are beginning to fade? Now is NOT the time to neglect your yard and exterior of your home. If you want to bring the buyer inside, you have to catch them at the curb first! Here are some easy updates and landscaping ideas shared by Shannon Petrie at HGTV. Keeping these 7 steps in mind, walk outside your home, look at it from the street, and see it as if for the first time. Does it make you want to go inside to see more? If not, roll up your sleeves and get started on these quick fixes that will make a big impact when selling in the fall.
Spruce Up Your Lawn
While brilliant fall foliage can automatically make your home look more attractive for showings, that doesn’t mean you can slack off on lawn maintenance during this season. Keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking and patch up any brown spots in the grass.
Plant Fall Flowers
Once your lawn is looking its best, spice it up with a splash of color. As your summer plants start to fade, replace them with vibrant mums or other colorful flowers. If you don’t have time to spend gardening, a container plant is a simple solution to add a burst of color.
Highlight Your Front Door
Making your front door the focal point of your home’s exterior is a good tactic no matter what time of year you decide to sell your home. During the fall, a simple wreath of fall foliage and flowers can add an inviting touch. A fresh coat of paint in a vivid red can also make your entrance stand out.
Clean Up the Exterior
When fall rolls around and the trees shed their leaves, your home becomes more exposed, making its exterior appearance extra important. Before putting your home on the market, pressure wash the exterior and clean the windows. If the paint is chipped or faded, applying a fresh coat will do wonders to revive your home’s appearance.
Clear Out All Gutters
Staying on top of yearly and monthly maintenance lets buyers know you care about your home’s upkeep. During the fall, be sure to clear your gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris, which will protect your home from water damage.
Add Outdoor Lighting
As the days get shorter, it becomes increasingly important to provide potential homebuyers with a safe path to your front door. Use decorative lights to illuminate walkways, and install flood lights or lanterns to brighten up entrance areas. There are many options that can easily be installed. Be sure to find the style that fits with the architecture of your home.
Keep Decorations Simple
While subtle fall decor – a wreath on the door or pots of seasonal flowers – will make your home look inviting and fresh, going overboard will distract buyers from your home itself. Save your scarecrows and spooky Halloween decorations for another year.
