When autumn arrives with crisp mornings and colorful trees, it’s not just a change in season. It’s a chance to get your home in top shape before heading into winter or selling your home. With a fall home maintenance checklist outlining a few preventive steps, like sealing drafts and inspecting your heating and cooling system, you can improve comfort, save money, and impress future buyers. Our home maintenance guide makes it easy to stay organized, with weekend-friendly projects and expert tips to help your home shine inside and out. Here are the top 10 items consistently recommended by real estate experts that you should put on your fall home maintenance checklist, regardless of where you live: Landscape the yard, and prune as needed Pressure wash and treat the exterior Seal the deck, fix gates, and store or cover outdoor furniture and equipment Clean gutters and downspouts Inspect windows, doors, weatherstripping, and trim Check the heating system, chimney, and fireplace Prep the plumbing and drainage systems Inspect the insulation and ventilation Guard against unwanted pests Handle minor repairs Evaluate home safety before winter Let’s dive into each of these as a youngster might a pile of fresh leaves. Landscaping is a huge factor in fall preparations. And it also happens to get you the maximum appraisal value if you’re trying to sell your house during the fall. Professional landscaping can boost your home’s value by 15% to 20%, but it’s often the lawn that makes the first impression. Smart buyers notice a lush, well-kept lawn, which can account for about 5% of your landscaping ROI. Depending on your home’s price, that green space alone could add up to $25,000, turning your lawn into literal curb appeal gold. Tommy Mack, a top real estate agent in Key West, Florida, with 13 years of experience, notes that a carefully maintained yard can instantly translate to thousands in added home value. “That appraiser pulls up and sees a yard immaculately taken care of, that adds to the value,” Mack said. “There’s no peeling paint, no wood rot, no evidence of any sort of wear and tear or deferred maintenance … that adds up thousands of dollars quickly.” Late fall is a great time to prune trees and shrubs, so limbs don’t scrape against roofs and siding, trap moisture near the house, or drop on your roof during severe weather. Pruning now allows plants to recover before they bloom again in the spring. Cut the grass as long as you can so that you run your lawn mower until it’s out of gas. Gas left in the tank for months can degrade or form deposits that block the fuel line or affect the mower’s performance. Beware of going overboard with costly outdoor projects. About 13% of agents say that pricey landscaping upgrades, like fountains or elaborate gardens, don’t have much impact on today’s market, even though some sellers believe they’re key to boosting a home’s appeal.1. Landscape the yard, and prune as needed
