With leaves falling and increased rain it is a good time to clear out your gutters and drains to prevent flooding. It’s also an ideal time to think about pruning trees that are blocking out light, obstructing access ways or could cause problems with power lines in windy weather. In addition, you might like to plant some bright seasonal and/or evergreen plants to give your garden a lift.
Now is also a good time to ensure your roofing doesn’t have any looming leaks and that you’ve dealt with exterior rot, moss or mould, deteriorating cladding or peeling paintwork as it will only worsen in wet winter weather.
As for the interior, you may like to check for dampness. If need be run a dehumidifier in the dampest rooms, particularly before open homes, and ensure you have good insulation, heating and ventilation in place – features that should definitely be highlighted in marketing material and/or by the sales consultant if you are selling.
It’s also worth ensuring worn hinges and locks are attended to, that your electric blankets are checked and your fireplace and chimney inspected (or upgraded to a more efficient and ‘cleaner’ alternative if you can afford it). Batteries in your smoke alarms could also be replaced at this time of year.
With less daylight hours ahead it may also be a good time to ensure your lightbulbs are all working, that they are bright enough and that strategically placed lamps help illuminate darker areas, particularly as light-filled homes are more appealing to buyers.