Are you considering some outdoor improvements? Now is the time to do it. 

Are the outdoor improvements you wanted to concentrate on the patio area?  You can check the home improvement store for patios or decking and shade systems. Gazebos are always great outdoor improvements when you're adding decking, too.  Just make sure to level the ground with concrete so your new gazebo doesn't sink over the winter. 

Pools and spas are a great way to add appeal and fun to your home. Make sure your gates are in good working order with inside locks if you add a pool as one of your outdoor improvements. 

Paint the awnings and trim of the house and get some new patio furniture so that you can enjoy the nice evenings outside with a coffee or iced tea.  New patio furniture is a nice touch and freshly painted trim will add value to your home.

How about some new gutters or gutter cleaning?  Now is the time to call the professionals who seal driveways.  If you get together with your neighbors you can often negotiate discounts for several driveways to be done. 

Your outdoor improvements might not be something that you are choosing to do, but something that you need to do.  When you add new guttering and rainwater tanks, make sure to have the roofing checked, too.  And since the outside of your home is going to look so great on top, where nobody can see it unless they happen to hover over in a hot air balloon, you might want to consider having your stucco & siding cleaned by a professional and purchashing some new awnings.

These outdoor improvements won't be complete without calling for tree services & window cleaning.  The window cleaning is just basic fall cleaning, but the tree service might be a requirement if your trees had a good summer and are reaching for the telephone wires.  Just a trim may be all that is needed to keep your (and the neighbors') phones working through the winter.

Outdoor improvements are fun to do, especially if you get the family in on it.  Let the kids paint the fence, and if you're worried that they won't do a great job, let them paint the inside of the fence and you can do the outside.  They will enjoy helping to build the deck, too.  There is no greater satisfaction than having a family dinner on the deck that you all helped to build.