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Spring is usually the busiest homebuying season, but if you plan to sell your home in the fall, there are some steps you can take to increase your odds.
First impressions matter, and a property’s curb appeal can significantly affect potential buyers. While the blooming season is behind us in most of the country, fall foliage and colors can also be very inviting.
David Barbera, an expert in gardening and landscape design and president of Artificial Turf Supply, says that when buyers pull up to a property in the fall, they don’t just see a house—they see how the house sits in its landscape.
“Landscaping is the stage set, the context that makes the architecture feel either inviting or neglected. A home with crisp garden edges, tidy beds, and intentional plantings signals to buyers that the property has been cared for holistically,” he says.
“Landscaping is not just an accessory; it’s often the first handshake a buyer has with the property, and it sets the emotional tone before they even step inside.”
The importance of landscaping in the fall
While fall colors are generally less vibrant than those in spring, there are many ways to be creative with this season’s palette.
Danny Niemela, vice president and CFO at ArDan Construction, an Arizona-based luxury home remodeling company, says fall landscaping is important because it demonstrates property stewardship.
“Cut grass, neatly edged to a uniform height of about 3 inches, and bushes neatly trimmed with crisp edges let buyers know that the house is well-maintained all year. In fact, a $150 lawn service every other week can equal many thousands in perceived value when a buyer walks up the front walk,” he says. “A neat, well-disciplined yard does more to set the tone than seasonal decorations ever will.”
Lawn maintenance is key
Lawn maintenance is crucial if you plan on selling your home in the fall. A pile of brown leaves or unruly grass in front of a house is far from appealing and inviting.
“Leaf-covered yards mean one thing: decay. That’s harsh, but accurate,” says Niemela, adding that buyers equate dead leaves with clogged gutters, rot, mold, and moisture damage.
“You may have a $200,000 kitchen within, but if the front walkway is covered in a foot of dead leaves, you are already behind the eight ball,” he says.
Barbera also notes that a thick layer of leaves looks like neglect. Buyers won’t notice the pretty colors—they’ll picture hours of cleanup, which makes them wonder if the house has other hidden issues.
“Instead of letting leaves pile up, mow them into the lawn to feed the grass or rake them into neat piles. This makes the yard feel seasonal and charming, not messy,” he adds.
Of course, lawn care in fall isn’t one-size-fits-all. For instance, in the Northeast and Midwest, cool-season grasses thrive when aerated and reseeded in September, making them look lush, Barbera explains.
“In Southern regions with warm-season grasses, you’re often dealing with dormancy, so a quick overseed with ryegrass can keep the lawn green through the season,” he adds.
Finally, Barbera notes that in arid climates, where grass isn’t practical, buyers expect tidy xeriscaping—refreshed mulch, evened gravel, and drought-tolerant plants trimmed.
“The key is matching local expectations. A patchy or forgotten yard sticks out more in fall when buyers are already scanning for flaws,” he notes.
When the grass turns brown
Another issue is that a lawn turning brown can be a big turnoff for buyers.
“It is not because they expect perfection, but because it looks like neglect. The lawn does not need to be golf-course green. Buyers can tell the difference between natural dormancy and a lawn that is dry and ignored,” says Barbera.
What if the grass is not green? Keep it neat, he advises.
“Mow it short, edge it clean, and make sure trees and shrubs look healthy. These will draw the eye upward instead of across brown patches,” he adds.
What about plants and flowers?
When you’re aiming to increase the curb appeal of your house, it’s best to highlight plants that provide structure, year-round interest, and a welcoming presence, according to Petar Ivanov, gardening and plant expert at Fantastic Gardeners.
According to Ivanov, foundation plantings such as evergreens work well near the base of a house to anchor the landscape and provide greenery in all seasons.
He also says that adding pops of color with flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas, azaleas, or roses near entryways or walkways can draw the eye to focal points and make the home seem more inviting.
Another option: Seasonal annuals or perennials, planted in beds or containers by the front door, can give a fresh and cared-for look that instantly brightens the property, he says.
Finally, Ivanov also recommends ornamental grasses, small trees like Japanese maples, or symmetrical plantings on either side of an entryway, which can also create balance and elegance.
“The goal is to combine plants that offer a mix of color, texture, and structure so the landscape feels cohesive and complements the style of the home,” he explains.
If you have broad grounds, do you need to keep it all immaculate?
Not necessarily, says Ivanov.
While a pristine yard can enhance the curb appeal of a house, on very large properties, it’s often more practical to focus on strategic areas instead of trying to maintain every space perfectly, he says.
“Potential buyers tend to be drawn to visible features, such as the entrance, pathways, patio spaces, or areas surrounding the home itself, so prioritizing these zones for neatness and landscaping can make the property feel cared for without overextending effort,” he says.
For the broader grounds, maintaining a tidy overall impression (e.g., mown fields, defined borders, and well-kept driveways or garden beds) can be enough to give a good impression, he says.
“Some buyers appreciate a sense of space and natural beauty on large plots, so leaving portions more natural or meadowlike can even add charm, as long as it’s intentional and clearly maintained,” he says.