Summer is here and lots of people are still searching for the perfect home. If you’re considering putting your home on the market this season, make sure you know the basics of summer selling so that you stand out in the buyer’s mind. A little know-how on selling in the hot season can help you sell faster and for more money.
Make your landscaping look sharp and manicured. Summer offers the greatest opportunity to maximize curb appeal. If your yard is in bad shape, invest time and money in trimming overgrown bushes and trees that block the front of the house. Get rid of weeds around trees and in neglected gardens. Cut grass regularly. If you don’t have a green thumb, ask for help at the greenhouse to choose low maintenance flowers. Introduce color and greenery to your doorstep. Many buyers do drive-bys before making an appointment to walk through a house. The exterior is the buyer’s first impression, for better or worse.
Adjust interior furnishings to reflect warmer weather. Change out fall colors for bright summer colors in pillows and blankets. Consider switching out heavy-duty curtains for lighter ones. Adapting for the season makes your home feel current and vibrant instead of old and worn.
Emphasize features that play well in summer. Maximize the appeal of outdoor spaces such as a front porch with a swing or a back deck complete with built-in grill. Make the area pop with well-maintained furniture and a colorful table umbrella. Decorate a paver patio with colorful planters. Also, if you’re close to parks or other outdoor recreational venues, ensure your Realtor® mentions them on your listing description.
Keep your home properly cooled. Set the air conditioner on a comfortably cool temperature. You can return to energy efficiency after the home is under contract. Turn on ceiling fans to keep the air fresh. Also, consider using remote technology to cool down your home from afar when you have a showing scheduled.
Keep cool drinks available for buyers. Something as simple as cold bottled water can be a delightful touch for buyers looking at a long list of houses in the summer heat. It’s not just the look of a home that they’ll remember, it’s the entire experience. Make it a pleasant one.
Keep everything smelling fresh. The heat can exacerbate smelly odors more than any other season. Ensure that trash is removed frequently and trash cans are tightly lidded. While you might use a light air freshener, don’t go overboard as heavy artificial scents in a home are sometimes thought to be disguising a larger odor problem.
Let the light in. Keep your home bright and well lit. Let as much natural light in to make rooms appear larger and cheerier. Keep curtains open and remove outdated mini blinds and vertical blinds.
Keep the process rolling while you’re out of town. If you’re on vacation while your house is on the market, stay available and accessible by phone. You don’t want to be unreachable if a time-sensitive offer comes in. Plan how you’ll communicate electronically with your Realtor® in case you need to sign a purchase agreement. Also, make plans to keep the lawn mowed, the plants watered, and the house properly cooled while you’re away.