Seasonal decorating is one of my favorite things, and it’s hard to beat all of the warm, inviting options we have in the fall. With the simplest touches, we can transform our homes from the cool look of summer to the cozy, welcoming warmth of autumn. Don’t wait until they are inside to wow them with seasonal touches! Make your buyers feel the welcome from the moment they lay eyes on your home. Here are my best tips for creating fall curb appeal.
- Keep up with the leaves. While you likely won’t be cutting your grass every week, you still need to maintain your lawn. This includes edging sidewalks, weeding spots and removing the (hundreds of) leaves from your grass. Keeping your yard tidy makes a big impact on buyers.
- Tend to your beds. Don’t stop weeding and mulching because it’s getting colder. Tidy up your beds before listing your home or while it’s on the market. And nothing says warmth like fall colors. Pepper those colors throughout your yard with plants and flowers. As the summer blooms die off, replace them with mums or other colorful plants. Adding fresh plants to your bedding is another way to give the impression that your home is well cared for and up to date.
- Adorn your door. Creating a welcoming entrance wows buyers from the start. Give your door a fresh coat of paint if needed to begin. (Consider a deep red if it suits your home.) Invest in or make a colorful wreath of fall foliage to hang on the door. And buy a few pumpkins of varying sizes to sit on the porch or stoop next to the door. There are many cute ideas you can use at your entrance – just make sure not to overdo it. Too much gives a cluttered feel.
- Tend to the outside. Fall weather can be tough on a home. Spend the money to have it pressure washed or to touch up any problem areas with paint. The exterior appearance is tremendously important to buyers, so don’t let them down.
- Clear the gutters. Fall may be hardest on your gutters. They fill quickly with the falling leaves and pine tags. While the fall foliage looks gorgeous on the trees, it’s not so pretty in your gutters. I know it’s not a fun chore, but cleaning them out makes a big difference in your home’s presentation.
- Keep it well lit. The days are getting shorter, so many of your fall showings could be at night. Update your fixtures or install new bulbs in all of them – the brightest your fixture will support. You may also consider solar lights to line your walkways for a warm, inviting touch.
So many sellers think that listing in the fall means less outdoor maintenance is required. Don’t “fall” into this trap. Keep your home bright, tidy and welcoming throughout the season.
If you need assistance creating your best curb appeal, contact me! When you list with me, I offer free advice on what’s needed and what’s not to help you create a plan and prioritize. And I stage for free when you use your furniture! I’m here to support you through the home-selling process.
Warmly,
Marcia
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