Thinking of selling your home this fall? It’s time to start preparing. Although fall has typically been a slower selling season than spring and summer, in the current market, that’s not necessarily true. Buyers are in the decision-making mode and it’s time to get your home prepped and ready. Here are 5 things you can do now to get your home ready for a fall sale.

1. Photograph Your Property During Summer  Although you’ll be putting your home on the market in the fall, home exteriors tend to look best with a summer landscape. Photograph your home when the flowers are blooming, the grass is lush and the trees are full of leaves. You’ll have to spend some time sprucing up your landscape before calling out a photographer. Hire a professional who will know how to photograph your home in the best light and at the best angles. 

2. Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal True to its name, fall is a period of falling leaves that cover your lawn and walkways. This can make even the most beautiful home look poorly maintained. Use a leaf blower regularly to keep leaves, branches and dirt off walkways and try to keep your yard clear of leaves as well. Add fresh mulch to garden beds and patch up any brown spots on the grass. When your summer plants disappear, replace them with fall-friendly varieties like mums or marigolds to enhance your facade.

3. Take Care of Your Windows Summer rain and wind can leave your windows streaky and dusty by the time fall rolls around. On top of that, if you have pets, they may rub their noses on the inside glass of windows or glass doors. Windows are something potential buyers will be looking at, so they should be sparkling clean! Wash your windows inside and out before showings and before putting any listing photos up. Remove screens and spray them down and fit your windows with window dressings that complement your home. 

4. Up the Cozy Factor Fall is the coziest time of the year and you want your home to feel as warm and inviting as possible. You want buyers to envision your space as a welcoming abode for family and friends, somewhere they could see themselves hosting guests. Fill your living space with neutral throws and pillows, accentuate the fireplace if you have one and consider adding some general harvest decor to illuminate the fall season. Lighting some decorative, unscented candles is also a great way to create a cozy ambiance.

5. Lighting is Everything  Natural lighting is ideal when showing your home. In the fall, when the days get shorter and darker, you’ll want to retract blinds and open curtains so there’s minimal window coverage. This will allow as much natural light in as possible. Bring in extra floor lamps to darker rooms and find the lightbulbs with the most flattering hues for your space. Consider upgrading all your lights to LED bulbs and let the buyers know you’ll leave the bulbs for them.