Once Halloween ends, a few simple steps can return the front entry to a clean, welcoming space before colder November weather.

A quick final walk around your home can catch overlooked details before the first substantial snowfall.

Fewer open houses and colder weather change the home-shopping experience, but the season alone does not determine whether a purchase is good or bad.

Ice dams form when snow melts on warmer roof areas and refreezes near colder eaves. Their cause can involve attic air leakage, insulation and ventilation.

A simple pumpkin cake makes the house smell like fall and travels well to gatherings, school events or a neighborhood potluck.

If a home sale may be in your future, fall is a useful time for small repairs that improve both function and perceived care.

Garden beds and shrubs need a different approach than turf. Over-cleaning can remove useful winter habitat while leaving the wrong debris in place.

A fireplace adds comfort and appeal in fall, but a safe first fire starts with inspection and proper operating habits.

Cool-season Minnesota lawns recover during autumn, but lawn tasks should match the weather and the grass's growth stage.

Heating equipment often runs hardest just when finding a service appointment becomes difficult. A fall check can help identify maintenance needs early.