Maintenance, Staging & Strategy For Sellers In The Fall As the leaves begin to turn and the air becomes crisp across the South Shore, it's the perfect time for homeowners to take a closer look at their properties especially if a home sale is on the horizon. On the latest Talk Real Estate Roundtable, Sharon McNamara and Melissa Wallace of Boston Connect Real Estate dove into fall home preparation, maintenance must-dos, and smart strategies for sellers. Whether you're planning to sell this season or simply want to stay ahead of upkeep, their insights offer valuable takeaways for every homeowner. 🍁 Why Fall Is the Ideal Season to Prepare Your Home While spring often gets the spotlight in real estate, fall brings a unique set of advantages. With its mild temperatures and motivated buyers hoping to close before the holidays, autumn can be a sweet spot for sellers. Melissa, who proudly calls fall her “jam,” emphasized that now is the time to tackle essential maintenance tasks and create cozy, welcoming environments that buyers will love. 🧰 Must-Do Fall Maintenance Tasks Fall is the last call before winter’s harsh weather sets in, and Sharon and Melissa stressed the importance of getting proactive with seasonal maintenance. Their top tips include: 1. Gutters and Drainage Clogged gutters can lead to costly water damage and ice dams during winter. Regular clean-outs, especially in leaf-heavy neighborhoods, are essential. Sharon noted the importance of hiring professionals like Mighty Mike’s Gutters to ensure proper flow and drainage away from your foundation. 2. Roof and Chimney Checks Walk the exterior of your home or better yet, have a professional do it to identify cracks, deterioration, or damage that may not be visible from the street. Sharon shared a personal story of discovering chimney damage in a rarely seen section of her home, highlighting the value of semi-annual home walkthroughs. 3. Heating Systems and Filters Before flipping the switch to heat, make sure your systems are serviced. Change filters, clean out floor grates (especially after floor refinishing), and consider professional duct cleaning. In new construction homes, filters should be changed monthly to handle lingering construction dust. 4. Weatherproofing Drafty windows and doors can significantly impact comfort and efficiency. Mass Save offers energy audits and rebates like up to $10,000 for heat pump installations. Sharon and Melissa even joked about getting Nancy Kerrigan on the show to talk about her role as a Mass Save spokesperson! 🏡 Fall Staging Tips: Set the Scene for Seasonal Buyers Fall is all about warmth and comfort, and staging your home accordingly can have a huge impact. Melissa recommends layering in fall textures think cozy throws, ambient lighting, and welcoming scents like cinnamon or apple cider. Other staging suggestions included: Highlighting fireplaces (a major draw in New England homes). Keeping exteriors tidy with freshly raked leaves and trimmed bushes. Creating seasonal curb appeal with potted mums, cornstalks, and tasteful autumnal wreaths. 📅 Selling Strategy: Timing Before the Holidays For sellers eyeing the market this season, timing is everything. Sharon and Melissa walked through strategic timelines for listing, going under agreement, and closing especially for those who want to be settled before the winter holidays. Key takeaways: Buyers in fall tend to be more serious and motivated. Proper planning can allow for closings before Thanksgiving or even December holidays. Aligning your listing with your personal goals (such as being out before winter) helps inform price strategy and marketing. 👋 Welcome to the Team The episode also gave a warm welcome to new Boston Connect Real Estate agent, Melissa Clemens, who has already hit the ground running. Her husband, a respected local mason, was mentioned for his expertise in repairs like chimney maintenance further proof that real estate is truly a team