By Colleen Rosica
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

As the personal moving consultant at Ann’s Choice, I always encourage clients  looking to sell their house in the fall to follow some tips for making the property look bright, colorful, and well maintained.

Fall is typically the second best selling season, next to spring, in the real estate market. With the end of summer, people are home from vacation, providing more buyers for the market. Most of them are looking to settle by Thanksgiving or the end of the year.

Add natural color
In the fall, of course, the leaves will turn colors, and the house will look beautiful. But when leaves start falling off the trees, the home begins to take on a bare appearance.

To overcome that, I recommend adding some color to your house. Plant  chrysanthemums and any seasonal foliage in your front yard area, and set pots around your door area.

A few scattered leaves will create an impression of the season. But if you have too many, you should rake them up and have them removed. We do not want prospective buyers to perceive all the leaves on the ground as more work if they buy your home.

Tend to home maintenance
Fall is a nice time to do some landscaping before it gets too cold to work  outside. Attend to your shrubs by cutting them back. Also, put away any garden hoses or tools.

When checking the exterior of your home, look at maintenance items like paint, trim, shutters, and gutters. Clear leaves from the gutters, and thoroughly clean your windows.

And with the end of hot summer weather, fall is suitable for improving your home’s appearance with paint. Put a fresh coat of paint on your front door, perhaps in a new color.

Display seasonal decorations
Another idea is to add a nice fall wreath to your front door. Or put up some  seasonal decorations, such as fresh pumpkins or gourds. Stay away from Halloween decorations both inside  and out. They tend to get more cluttered and may not appeal to everyone.