Many people like to move in the summertime, especially young families with kids who want to be settled into a home before the school year begins. But that doesn't mean that you can't sell a home in the fall if you really want to. There may be fewer families house-shopping this season, but there will be some, and your home might also appeal to single people or empty-nesters. If you want to make sure that your home doesn't sit on the market for the whole season, take a look at some fall tips that will help you sell the home faster.

Address Fall Home Maintenance Issues.

Some of the top problems found during home inspections are especially relevant in the fall. Furnace problems, inoperable windows, and problems with the fireplace and chimney are all common issues discovered during home inspections. Anyone moving in during the fall will want to be able to open the windows before the weather gets too cold, and they'll want to be able to turn on the heat and use the fireplace as soon as winter hits.

Before you start showing the home, have your fireplace and chimney professionally inspected, and have any inoperable windows fixed. That way, you'll be able to reassure any interested buyers that the home is all ready for the current season and the upcoming winter.

Don't Neglect The Landscaping

Fall has a way of messing up your yard and your home's exterior. The leaves start falling, the weather may be unpleasant for gardening, and it's a busy season, so it's easy to let things go. Unfortunately, as normal as all of that is, a messy exterior can really turn off a buyer – it may even keep them from checking out the inside of the house.

While your home is on the market, make a point of raking up the leaves, keeping the weeds out of your garden, and trimming any bushes or shrubs. These are little things, but they can make a big difference. Also, you should make sure that the leaves aren't clogging your gutters. Clogged gutters can freeze when the temperatures start getting cold, creating ice dams that can do real damage to your home's exterior. You definitely don't want to have to repair sagging gutters or roofing.

Decorate, But Don't Go Overboard

This is not the time to try to create the best haunted house on your block, tempting as it might be. You want to sell the home, after all, and not everyone is going to love gory Halloween decorations. However, a carved pumpkin or two might be a nice touch.

You might also consider displaying some fall flowers or bowls of seasonal fruit. Play up the fireplace and add some plush throw pillows in fall colors to the couches – anything that makes the place look like a cozy place to spend an autumn night. Consider making apple cider or pumpkin coffee when you know you'll be showing the house – the seasonal scents will put prospective buyers in a good mood.

With a little work and some clever staging, you could have an offer on your house before you know it. Hire a great real estate agent who knows your local market to help you reach prospective buyers and navigate the sale process.  For more information, visit http://www.cuddrealty.com or a similar website.