Fall is here, and as temperatures begin to drop, it's the perfect time to give your home a little extra attention. A few simple maintenance tasks now can help prevent costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and keep your home comfortable throughout the colder months.

Whether you're a first-time homeowner or have lived in your home for years, this fall maintenance checklist will help you prepare for the season ahead.

You found the house, negotiated the price, and got the seller to agree. Then the appraisal comes back lower than what you offered, and suddenly it feels like the whole deal is in jeopardy.

Take a breath. A low appraisal is a common speed bump in real estate transactions, not a roadblock. Here's what it actually means, and the paths forward when it happens.