It's that time of the year! Leaves are falling and the smell of pumpkin spice is filling the air. With everything fall has to offer, it's easy for home maintenance to slide to the bottom of your priority list. Tackling a few fall home maintenance tasks now can help ward off issues later in the season.

The following are 5 easy tips to prepare yourself and your home for the Fall season.

1.    Clean Out Your Gutters. With Fall comes leaves falling everywhere. While some people love to jump in and be emersed in the leaves, your gutters do not. Gutter clogging can cause roof or home structure damages. In order to prevent clogging, remove all leaves and other debris from your drainpipe and gutters.

2.    Inspect Your Roof. The fall can be a dangerous time for roofs with powerful rain and winds, and lots of falling debris. Remove all leaves, twigs, and debris in from the roof and check that vents or vent pipes are all cleared out. It is also important to check for any missing shingles or signs of terminates.

3.    Check Your Pipes. To prevent faucets from freezing, inspect them for any cracks or damage. Disconnect any gardening hoses and drain any remaining water from the faucets. Since frozen water expands, any water left in your pipes could cause your pipes to burst. After draining, turn all outdoor faucets off through their shut off valve.

4.    Check Smoke Detectors. With the colder weather approaching, you want to get your home equipped for emergencies. Replace all batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It also doesn't hurt to have a new set of batteries nearby just in case.

5.    Test Winter Equipment. The winter months are fast approaching. You don't want to wake up the morning after a blizzard and discover your snowblower is broken. Prepare ahead for whatever mother nature has to throw at you by checking your winter equipment now. It also doesn't hurt to use the fall months as a time to stocking up on firewood and propane.

Hopefully these tips will help you avoid costly repairs and problems in the future. Whether you are preparing your current home or looking to find a new home, Lewith and Freeman is here to help.

The fall season can be a great time to look into buying/selling. Contact a Lewith and Freeman realtor today to "fall" in love with your future dream home.