Updates and improvements at every turn

13878 Fawn Ridge Way, Apple Valley MN 55124

So many updates! Don’t miss out on 13878 Fawn Ridge Way, a fantastic two-story home in an amazing school district and friendly neighborhood. Enjoy it all, from the updated kitchen, or any of the over $100,000 worth of improvements that the owners have made.

This Apple Valley home is spacious, modern, and ready for you and your family to enjoy. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, 13878 Fawn Ridge Way has space for families both large and small, with plenty of room to relax or entertain. The beautiful hardwood floors tie the foyer, dining room, living room, and kitchen together while maintaining each space’s individual look. Let kids and pets play safely in the spacious fenced-in back yard. The adjacent patio is the perfect place to fire up the grill or entertain guests, or relax in the hot tub. The swing set, patio furniture, gas grill, and hot tub are staying with the home!

The previous owners have invested over $100,000 in updates to this home. Click below to see what they improved!

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This article originally appeared on the realtor.com® website on September 29, 2014. The article was written by Craig Donofrio and can be viewed in its entirety here under its original title, “Autumn Advantage: 4 Tips for Staging Your Home in Fall”.

Staging Your Home in the Autumn

A crisp chill in the air, the turning of leaves and the scent of pumpkin spice are all hallmarks of fall.

There’s no doubt it’s a beautiful season, and if you’re planning on selling your home by the end of the year, you can capitalize on all the good work nature already provides when staging your home.

Accentuate the Positives When Staging Your Home

You want your home to stand out when you put it on the market, so start at the curb.

To play up the fall feel outside of your home, clean up flower beds and rake any leaves off your lawn—the first thing buyers should notice is the changing colors on your trees, not the muddled dead leaves on the grass.

Add a wreath of seasonal plants on the front door for a finishing touch.

In the backyard, store away any summer items like pool floats, inflatable water slides and tiki torches. Add fall-related decor like a self-contained fire pit and warm-colored cushions on your patio furniture to create an outdoor space perfect for chilly evenings.

You can also add a pumpkin to the front stoop, but don’t carve it up because it will spoil much faster.

Remember to avoid using a pumpkin altogether if the weather is bitterly cold already, as it will rot faster—that will only attract flies.

Bring the Colors Indoors

Autumn’s natural color scheme is warm and earthy, reminiscent of cozy, fireside nights.

To bring some of that warmth inside for your open house, fill vases with red, orange and deep yellow flowers like marigolds, Mexican sunflowers or strawflowers. Place vases in the entryway, in the master bedroom and on top of mantles to add color throughout the house.

To make your home feel cozy and inviting, invest in throw blankets or pillows in the same shades as your floral arrangements. Place the pieces around your living room and bedroom to draw out the fall colors.

Add dried decorations, like dried wheat or dried cornstalks, to fill in empty wall spaces with that fall feeling.

Use Favorite Fall Foods

The pleasant scent of fresh-baked cookies or a warm apple pie wafting through the house can trigger memories of comfort and home.

To tie in with the season—and the much-beloved holiday foods—light some candles scented with apple spice, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, cranberries or ginger spice.

Add warmth and a touch of the holidays to your kitchen or dining room by creating a cornucopia centerpiece on your table or countertop. Fill the centerpiece with gourds, miniature pumpkins and maize to help potential buyers picture themselves cooking their first Thanksgiving dinner in their new home.

Don’t Overwhelm

While adding a bit of color and warmth will help buyers picture holidays ahead, keep your decorations clean and minimal.

Avoid overpowering a room with too many flowers and candles, and always remember keep personal items tucked away.

Even if the piece is holiday or fall themed, buyers like to picture their own decorations in a home.

You have decided to make some home improvements but you need to hire a contractor. What do you need to do to hire the best person for the job?

• Check with family and friends to see if they have recommendations for you
• Interview at least two or three different contractors to see who would be the best fit for you and your project
• Make sure the contractor is currently licensed where the work is to be done
• Ask your top choices for references, and check with the BBB to make sure the contractor is on the up and up
• Get bids for the work from your top choice contractors
• Check on the payment schedule they use, if they want all the money up front, that is something to be wary of
• Remember that the lowest price is not always the best deal in the long run
• Get everything you agree to in writing prior to starting the work
• If you make changes during the work process, make sure and get them in writing along with the price change

Home Gain surveyed 600 real estate agents across the nation to see what the top 10 low cost, do it yourself home improvements are that people are doing prior to listing their homes.  See the chart below to find out what the top 10 are, how much they cost and what their return on investment would be. Click on the chart to enlarge.