7 Curb Appeal Tips for Fall

Make sure your house catches homebuyers’ eyes this fall with these stylish updates and landscaping ideas.

By Shannon Petrie, HGTV.com

Spruce Up Your Lawn

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Photo © iStockphoto.com/NoDerog

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

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Photo © iStockphoto.com/SkyF

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.

Highlight Your Front Door

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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.

RELATED: 28 Inviting Colors to Paint a Front Door

Clean Up the Exterior

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Photo © iStockphoto.com/Justin Horrocks

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

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Photo © iStockphoto.com/Charles Mann

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

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Photo © iStockphoto.com/chandlerphoto

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.

Keep Decorations Simple

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Photo © iStockphoto.com/MivPiv

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.

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