The fall real estate market is almost always a hot season. Home selling in autumn or fall is the second best time of the year to sell a home. Families have returned from summer vacations. Kids have gone back to school. The holidays aren't yet upon us, at least not yet in an annoying way. We are set to enjoy 75 to 80 days of normalcy, and that's a great time to sell a home.

In parts of the country with four seasons, we watch leaves explode in vibrant colors as for sale signs pop up in yards.

People are happy and relaxed as the temperature begins to drop. It's not just sweater weather that creates static electricity in autumn; it's the scurrying of agents diligently working to pop a few more sales into the hopper before third quarter sales results are posted.

Tips to help sell your home in the fall: 

Yard Cleanup

Make sure to rake all the dead leaves and debris off your lawn and to trim down the overgrown vegetation that block the windows or pathway to the entrance. Trimming down the bushes and tree limbs will help let the sunlight inside. Cut away any dead flowers and summer vines.

Autumn Curb Appeal

By adding some autumn flowers like chrysanthemums (or mums) or marigolds, it will help creat a fall ambiance. You can plant them in pots and place the pots on the steps and along the sidewalk. Also try accenting the property with pumpkins or other types of squash.

Dress the Windows

Make sure to wash your windows and spray down the screens from all the dust and streaks that the summer rain and wind cause. You might not notice the smudges, but buyers will. To sell a home, your windows need to sparkle. 

Check the HVAC

You want the air inside your home to smell fresh. When was the last time you changed your furnace filter? You can buy 90-day furnace filters. Have the HVAC system checked before you need to turn on the heat. Besides, the buyer will ask a home inspector to look at your HVAC. If you discover problems with your furnace, it's better to fix them before your home goes on the market.

 Clean Out the Fireplace for the Fall Real Estate Market

Ah, nothing smells like autumn than smoke from a wood-burning fireplace. If you have a gas fireplace, light it when buyers come through. If the fireplace is filled with cobwebs because it hasn't been used for months, vacuum it out and wash it down. You can also arrange knickknacks in the fireplace in place of wood logs to stage the fireplace.

Prepare Autumn Edibles

Speaking of autumn scents, you might set out freshly baked pumpkin cupcakes or simmer hot apple cider on the stove. Put a tray of cinnamon sticks on the counter, dotted with whole cloves. One of my favorite autumn treats as a kid was Ginger Cookies. Prop open a cookbook to an autumn stew recipe and fill a bowl with crisp red apples.

 Set the Mood for Fall Real Estate Musically

When I think of autumn music, beyond "See You in September" and "California Dreamin'," polka music and accordions come to mind. You can always tune into Enya's "The First of Autumn" or George Winston's new age piano album "Autumn."

Utilize Autumn Accent Colors

You don't need to dump a lifeless sofa when you can accessorize its dullness with bright red, orange and / or golden yellow pillows. Toss a quilt or autumn-colored throw over a chair. After you've cleared away the clutter and depersonalized each room, bring a little bit of autumn hues to each room by placing bold-colored accent pieces in odd groupings such as 3's and 5's. Create an autumn centerpiece for the dining room table by arranging pine cones and nuts around orange candles, stick in a few leaves from the yard.

Turn on the Lights Everywhere

Above all, bring in the light. When days get shorter, the sun sets lower in the horizon and casts wider shadows. Pull up the blinds, open the shutters, push back the drapes on every window. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten darker rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture, and for goodness sakes, turn off the TV.

Offer Parting Treats to Potential Buyers

I like to leave a guest book by the door for people to leave comments about the home. Gathering buyer feedback can be crucial. And buyers will feel more compelled to leave you a note if you give them something in return. Like tiny packets of candy corn or those snack-sized candy bars -- oh, I love Snickers bars like no tomorrow. Or you can go all-out and leave a tray of individually wrapped caramelized apples, tied with a curling ribbon.