8 Fall Tasks to Finish Before You List Your Bergen County Home
If you are thinking about listing this fall or early next year, October is the month to get ahead. These tasks cost little, show well in photos and remove the small issues that turn into inspection credits later.
1. Clean the gutters and downspouts
Clogged gutters lead to water staining, basement moisture and ice damage. Buyers and inspectors both look.
2. Service the heating system
Have the boiler or furnace serviced and keep the receipt. A recent service record answers one of the first questions a buyer's inspector will raise.
3. Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm
New Jersey requires a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm certificate before closing. Replace any battery-only alarm with a 10-year sealed unit now. The state dropped the fire extinguisher requirement in 2025, and my post explains what still applies (https://sellecksellsnj.com/blog/nj-smoke-and-co-certificate-for-home-sellers).
4. Seal drafts around windows and doors
New caulk and weatherstripping are inexpensive and make a home feel tight during fall showings.
5. Clear the yard and trim back plantings
Leaves, overgrown shrubs and branches touching the roof hide the house in photos. Light cleanup goes a long way.
6. Pull your permits and paperwork
Gather records for renovations, permits and major replacements. The buyer's attorney will ask, and having it ready keeps attorney review moving.
7. Fix the small things you have stopped noticing
Dripping faucets, sticking doors, loose railings and burned-out bulbs. Buyers notice every one.
8. Get a pricing read before you spend on bigger projects
Not every update pays back. Know your competition first, then decide what is worth doing.
Who this is for: Bergen and Hudson County homeowners planning a sale in the next three to six months.
Before you spend a dollar on bigger projects, start with a home valuation (https://sellecksellsnj.com/home-valuation) and read how Hudson County's inventory increase is changing seller strategy (https://sellecksellsnj.com/blog/hudson-county-inventory-surge-what-sellers-should-do).
Plan Your Next Move in Three Steps
1. Take the Seven-Question Assessment, about 90 seconds (https://quiz.sellecksellsnj.com/)
2. Explore the Northern New Jersey Community Guides (https://northernnj.sellecksellsnj.com/towns/)
3. Visit the advisory site (https://scott.sellecksellsnj.com)
Scott Selleck, REALTOR, Broker Sales Associate
The Selleck Group | KW City Views Realty
SRES, e-PRO | Licensed since 1993
2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Cell or text: 201-970-3960 | Office: 201-592-8900
[email protected] | SelleckSellsNJ.com
Schedule a conversation: tidycal.com/slselleck
AI Assistant: https://www.delphi.ai/scottselleck
NJ Real Estate Broker Sales Associate License #9236275
Keller Williams City Views Realty. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Equal Housing Opportunity (https://sellecksellsnj.com/blog/equal-housing-opportunity-scott-selleck-and-the-selleck-group-at-kw-city-views-realty)
