Many homes fall flat against the beautiful foliage of fall. You want yours to be the pride of the neighborhood, catching the eye of everyone who passes by and being the envy of all your neighbors! Bringing a new, updated look to the outside of your home doesn't require expensive renovations or construction projects. Here are some tips for amping up your curb appeal this season!

Create a Blank Canvas

Indulge in a little fall cleaning and give yourself a clean slate to work with. Rake out those leaves and weeds and remove outdated planters or thingamabobs around your lawn and stoop. Now doesn't that feel better already?

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Plant Instant Color

You don't have to wait for your perennials to come back around, garden stores and even grocery stores are selling blooming beauties right now! Plant blooming flowers with a little mulch and water and you will have eye-catching curb appeal now that will come back next year. And if you're feeling exceptionally industrious consider planting bushes or trees. They will take a while to reach their full potential, but it's  a nice weekend project with a  lasting impact! Just make sure the bushes you choose do not grow above 3 or 4 feet for easier maintenance.

One-Can Miracle

You could go all out and paint your whole home, but if that's not already in your immediate plans then try painting a few key features on your home. Columns, eaves and shutters are quick and easy to paint. If you have a unique feature on your home you'd like to highlight, paint it a neutral but contrasting color. Or try a nice warm brown paired with a welcoming blue door, then hang a gorgeous wreath on it for good measure!

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Accessorize Sparingly

Now that your yard and stoop are all cleared and clean, re-imagine the image of your home. Put out 2 simple benches on either side of your door for a welcoming retreat. Place a few pumpkins, planters with flowers or fall themed décor for seasonal appeal. Change out those old house numbers for some new ones, they're affordable and add instant charm to your home. Think minimalist and colorful for classy, attractive curb appeal.

It doesn't take a lot of time - or effort - to maximize the attractiveness of the outside of your home and it will give you a wonderful sense of pride when you turn the key. A few splashes of paint and a dash of accessorizing will get you in the mood for fall in no time, and don't forget the welcome mat!

The newly frigid air warns of colder weather to come, and we start to look forward to our favorite part of winter: vacation! If you're one who vacations frequently throughout the year, or  who stays away for extended periods of time, buying a vacation home may be a desirable option for you.

Financial Planning

The first thing to consider is your finances, do you have a good amount of savings tucked away? Can you afford the mortgage, utilities, and hidden costs on a second property? You may also consider how much use you expect to get out of a vacation home. If Vermont winters are becoming increasingly unbearable, or you find yourself visiting family on a regular basis in another state, this second home has the potential to switch to primary status at some point in the future, making it an even more sound investment.

Income Potential

A vacation home can be an excellent investment!

A vacation home also offers some hidden income potential as a rental property. A condo will better lend itself to this function as association fees cover  the upkeep and maintenance you will not  be around to oversee. Better not to depend on rental income to carry your mortgage for the property, but it is an added benefit to a home that for you will only be used seasonally.

Follow the Market

Most importantly, now is the ideal time to buy your dream vacation home. The unfortunate truth is that the stock market - and the real estate market with it - is at a spectacular low making it the prime time to catch deals and steals on a new property. If you're not looking for a quick turn around on the property, sitting on it until the market improves (and yes, it will improve!) may pay off handsomely should you decide to sell it for a profit later on.

Stressful economic times have us all looking for a peaceful place to escape to, and a vacation home may just be the solution to your winter woes. Investing in a seasonal property can bring you added income from renting now as well as a tidy profit down the road. Or it just may become your primary residence.

And wouldn't you just love to have a place where all your family and friends can convene, enjoying warmer weather and time together!

Sad but true: It is again time to say goodbye to summer's nurturing embrace. Though it's easy to get caught up in all the fall has to offer - leaf peeping, cider festivals, corn mazes, and so much more - it is important not to waste the opportunity to prepare your home before more challenging winter weather sets in. Here are a few simple things you can do right now.

Check Your Heating System

Though still only a distant memory, the time will come when you will need this to be in tip top shape! Have a heating and cooling specialist inspect your filters - they probably need changing - and vents if you use gas heat. Clogged vents could mean carbon monoxide poisoning down the road. Furnaces can also pose a carbon monoxide threat so have them inspected to prevent this as well as to be sure they will be ready for action when those chilly nights hit. Baseboard heating systems need to be checked as well, and if you plan to go away for part of the winter be sure to perform an injection of anti-freeze solution to prevent freezing when they are not in use.

Prepare Your Lawn

Cold winter months mean your lawn won't be getting the attention it needs, so make up for it by fertilizing, aerating and mowing now. Bare patches should be overseeded from now until mid-October, and attack that weed problem before the first frost to have a more manageable lawn come spring. Also be sure to trim back trees that could potentially fall on your roof when weighted down with all that snow!

Mind Your Pipes

Bursting pipes is one of the most frustrating and common winter weather struggles. Insulate any exposed plumbing pipes and drain your air conditioning pipes. Shut off the water valve to your AC if possible.

Insulate For Warmth

To prevent high heating costs use weatherstripping around your windows and doors. Switch out screens for storm windows or even take this opportunity to buy new energy efficient windows or install premium insulation and claim a tax credit.

Inspect Your Roof

It may be perilous but now is the time to catch that loose shingle or small crack, which can lead to water leaks once the harsh weather hits. Prevent more costly repairs down the road by giving your roof a semi-annual once over.

The moral of the story is that employing simple preventative measures now can save you a lot of unnecessary spending and headaches as we inevitably enter the harsher winter months. Now is the perfect time to address potential issues so you can enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and greet winter worry-free!