How to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays: A Fall Checklist

September 25, 2024

The holidays might seem far off, but fall is the perfect season to start preparing your home. Whether you’re aiming to host cozy gatherings or simply enjoy a festive atmosphere, getting an early start will help you avoid last-minute stress. Taking care of these tasks now will leave your home ready for holiday celebrations, family visits, or even potential buyers if you’re considering listing your home. Here’s your fall checklist on how to get your home ready for the holidays well in advance.

Declutter and Organize

The first step in preparing your home for the holidays is decluttering and organizing. Tidy up room by room, focusing on areas where you’ll entertain guests or showcase your home if you’re selling. Common areas like the living room, dining room, and entryway should be your first priority. Not only will this help create a warm, welcoming environment, but it will also make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

Bonus Tip: If you haven’t used an item in the past year, now may be the perfect time to donate, recycle, or let it go.

Deep Clean Key Areas

Fall is the ideal time to dive into some deep cleaning tasks, particularly in spaces where guests will gather or buyers might take a closer look. Keeping your home fresh and clean ensures you’ll be prepared for the holiday season, whether it’s for hosting or showing.

  • Kitchen: Clean the oven, refrigerator, and other appliances, wipe down cabinets, and organize your pantry for upcoming holiday meals.
  • Bathrooms: Give your bathrooms a deep scrub, including grout and hard-to-reach areas. Restock towels and toiletries so you’re ready for guests.
  • Guest Rooms: Freshen up guest rooms by washing bedding, dusting, and vacuuming. A clean, cozy space will ensure your guests (or buyers) feel welcome.

Check Your Holiday Decorations

Before the hustle of the holiday season begins, take inventory of your holiday decorations. Pull out your favorite items and check them for repairs—broken lights, missing ornaments, or damaged wreaths. If anything needs replacing, doing so during fall will save you from fighting the holiday rush.

Real Estate Tip: If you’re staging your home for sale, opt for elegant, understated decorations that enhance your home’s features rather than overwhelm them.

Inspect Your Outdoor Spaces

Don’t forget to spruce up your outdoor spaces as you prepare for the holidays. Clean up the yard, trim any overgrown bushes, and ensure your outdoor lighting is in good condition. If you plan to decorate the exterior of your home, now is the time to check that your lights, wreaths, and inflatables are working properly.

Curb Appeal Tip: For homeowners preparing to sell, fall curb appeal is essential. Simple outdoor decorations can add charm, but make sure your home’s beauty remains the focal point.

Stock Up on Essentials

Get ahead by stocking up on non-perishable essentials like canned goods, cleaning supplies, and paper products. This ensures you’ll be ready for guests and large gatherings during the holidays without scrambling at the last minute. Don’t forget to buy gift wrap, holiday cards, and extra batteries for decorations or gifts.

Plan Ahead for Hosting

If you’re planning to host holiday gatherings, fall is the perfect time to start making a plan. Write out a tentative guest list and think through seating arrangements, menu ideas, and any special touches you’d like to add. Now is also the time to review your serving ware, dishes, and glassware to ensure you have everything needed to host a successful event. Be sure to check out some of our agents’ favorite holiday recipes

Schedule Home Maintenance

Fall is also a great time to take care of any necessary home maintenance before the holiday season kicks in. Whether it’s an HVAC check, chimney cleaning, or window repairs, scheduling these tasks early means you’ll be prepared for the colder months and any guests that come through your door.

Pro Tip: Regular home maintenance doesn’t just keep your home comfortable—it can also boost its value. If you’re considering selling, taking care of these details can make your home more attractive to buyers.

Final Thoughts

By preparing your home for the holidays during the fall, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the season when it arrives. Whether you’re hosting guests or planning to list your home on the market, getting a head start on these tasks will ensure your space is organized, welcoming, and ready for whatever the holidays bring.

Start working your way through this fall checklist—your future holiday self will thank you!

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Ever had a “where did I put that?!” moment?

-Lost your home’s title paperwork?

-Can’t find the oven manual when it suddenly stops working?

-No clue when you last serviced the HVAC?

Enter: The Home Binder. A simple system to keep everything organized so you’re not scrambling when you need important documents.

Here’s what to include:
✅ Property Info – Deed, mortgage docs, insurance
✅ Maintenance Records – Repairs, service schedules
✅ Appliance Manuals & Warranties – Because searching for model numbers is a headache
✅ Utility Contacts – Power, water, WiFi—so you’re not digging through old emails
✅ Emergency Numbers – Quick access when time matters
✅ Custom Sections – Gardening plans, renovation ideas, paint colors

How to Set It Up:

Get a sturdy binder with dividers
Use plastic sleeves for receipts and manuals
Create a digital backup just in case
Set a reminder to update it every few months
You’ll thank yourself later. Want the full step-by-step guide? Check out my latest blog post! Link in bio!

Save this post so you have it when you’re ready to set up your own home binder. Have one already? Tell me what’s in yours!

#organizedhomeorganizedlife #homeorganizationtips #decluttermylife #organizedliving #helpmeorganize #simplifyyourlife #homeorganizationideas
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Ever heard of a “buy box”? 🏡📦

Think of it like a dating app—but for real estate investors. Instead of swiping left and right on potential dates, investors use a buy box to filter out properties that don’t match their goals.

✅ Location: Is this the right neighborhood for appreciation or rental income?
✅ Property Type: A fixer-upper or turnkey rental?
✅ Price Range: Will it fit the budget?
✅ Condition: Light cosmetic updates or a full gut job?
✅ Size & Features: Enough bedrooms, bathrooms, and space to attract renters?
✅ Return on Investment: Does it hit the right numbers?
✅ Demographics: Schools, shopping, safety—what matters most?

A well-defined buy box keeps investors focused and prevents them from wasting time on the wrong properties.

If you’re thinking about investing, step one is defining your own buy box—because success starts with knowing exactly what you’re looking for. 🔑
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Stunning West Linn traditional home! ✨

Enjoy breathtaking Cascade Mountain views from the wraparound porch, and relax on the expansive deck overlooking a lush, fenced backyard with fruit trees (peach, apple, pear!). The bright walkout basement features a versatile bonus room and a spacious game room that could easily be a 5th bedroom or home office. This home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and natural beauty. Contact me for a showing or visit us at our open house tomorrow, February 22, 2:30-4:30!
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Ready to make your home cozier, greener, and more efficient? Here are some top energy-efficient upgrades that can save you money and boost your home’s value!

🏡 Upgrade your insulation – Say goodbye to drafts and hello to lower energy bills.
🔄 Install a smart thermostat – Keep your home comfy and cut down on wasted energy.
🪟 Swap out old windows – Energy-efficient windows help keep the PNW chill outside where it belongs.
🔥 Upgrade your HVAC system – A more efficient system = a warmer winter and cooler summer for less.
💡 Switch to LED lighting – Small change, big impact! LEDs use way less energy and last longer.

These upgrades aren’t just great for your wallet—they also make your home way more marketable if you ever decide to sell. 💚♻️

Which upgrade is on your list? Drop a comment below! ⬇️

#PortlandHomes #PNWRealEstate #EnergyEfficientLiving #PortlandRealtor #RobbinsRealtyGroup
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Did you know? 🤓✨

🇺🇸 Presidents’ Day was originally just for George Washington, but now it honors all U.S. presidents!
🎩 William Henry Harrison gave the longest inauguration speech (nearly 2 hours!)—then caught pneumonia and passed away a month later.
🚀 Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to ride in a car, fly in a plane, and dive in a submarine. Talk about adventurous!
🐊 John Quincy Adams kept a pet alligator in the White House. Yes, really.

Enjoy your Presidents’ Day! 🇺🇸
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📍 DM me for details!
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Selling a home isn’t just a transaction—it’s a big life moment. Whether it’s a fresh start, a tough goodbye, or something in between, I bring an empathetic heart and a solid plan to make the process as smooth as possible. With the right support and a great team behind the scenes, we’ll handle the details so you can focus on what’s next. ✅

Thinking about selling? Let’s chat about your goals and how I can make the process easier for you. Send me a message—I’m here to help! 📩🏡

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#westlinnrealtor #tualatinrealtor #wilsonvillerealtor #oregoncityrealtor #lakeoswegorealtor #portlandrealtor #pdxrealtor #portlandoregonrealtor #portlandrealestateagent #portlandrealtors
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