SELLING YOUR HOME THIS FALL?

Autumn is a beautiful and exciting season in Central PA. Turning leaves create a palette of color across the landscape, the sky is a rich blue, and the weekends are full of football fun for the local clubs, area high schools and PSU. If you are taking advantage of the beautiful backdrop and football weekend activity to sell your home this fall, remember to follow these maintenance tips from Forbes.com to keep your yard and curb appeal above the competition!

Leaves – they are beautiful on the trees, but we know what a chore it is to keep them cleaned up once they start to fall. Rake them frequently to keep your yard looking clean. Keep your walkways clear of leaves and debris as well.

Grass – keep up your lawn maintenance. If possible, address any brown areas before it is too late.
We have had an unusually wet August, so lawn life has been extended this year! Keep the grass
trimmed and groomed as you would in the summer.

Mulch – a fresh layer of mulch always gives your yard a “† nished” look. Mulching will give you an
added layer of protection for your plants as winter approaches.

Fading/wilting ‰flowers – cut down all old growth to prepare for winter. If your yard lacks fall
color, visit one of our many local greenhouses and choose some fresh mums in the hues of the
season.

Front door – don’t forget to take o‹ that summer decoration! Add a fall themed wreath to dress
up your entry. Take a look at your welcome mat as well – something in a natural material and
earth tones will do nicely at this time of year.

Pressure wash – clean the exterior of your home, including the windows. Once the trees are
bare, your home exterior is a little more exposed as potential buyers drive by to take a look.
Gutters and downspouts – give them a good cleaning once the leaves have fallen, you will be
very happy in March and April that your gutters are clear for melting snow and spring rain. It
also sends the message to buyers that home maintenance is a priority for you.

Exterior lighting – make sure your outdoor lighting is adequate. The days will be getting shorter
and you want to make sure buyers have a welcoming, well-lit path to your front door.
Storm doors/windows – this is the time to install these seasonal items. Clean them well and
make sure they are in good working condition. It is a good time to take inventory of any that
may need to be repaired or replaced.

Seasonal furniture – clean and cover or store your seasonal furniture. As long as the weather
holds, it is nice to see the furniture set up on patio or deck (make sure to sweep the leaves and
fall debris away!) but make sure to cover or store before snowfall.

Fall can be the perfect time to sell your home. Many people have put their summer travels
behind them and are now focusing on getting into their next home before the holidays or
before the snow ‰flies. To make sure your listing stands apart from the competition, take the
time to address the exterior maintenance items speci†fic to this season.