Spring is the most popular time of the year to put a home on the market. Autumn is the second most popular time of the year to sell a home. It astounds most people that Summer is not usually a popular time to sell a home. For that reason, selling a home in Summer can be a bit tricky.
Why It Isn't Ideal But Can Still Be Beneficial: Summer is a good time for a lot of things, but home selling is not necessarily one of them. If you don't have to sell in the Summer, you might get more for your home if you wait until the weather starts to cool down. Why? Because in Summer people go on vacation, kids get out of school and require attention, Summer activities distract homeowners. Basically, there's just too much going on during the Summer to pay close attention to selling a home. Most sellers would rather wait until everything calms down in Autumn. Further, most buyers are looking in the Spring or Autumn months, so there are fewer buyers to compete for your home in the Summer.
Not everybody can wait until Autumn to sell and relocate. Some people might be transferred to a new job in another state or be experiencing pressing "life" issues that could necessitate an immediate sale. Here are a few things you can do to attract a summertime buyer.
Make sure the lawns are mowed at least on a weekly basis. Grass grows faster in Summer so mow your lawn regularly. TIP: try mowing on the diagonal to add dimension and curb appeal.
How to Create Summer Curb Appeal: Curb appeal attracts people in the market to buy homes. Trim the bushes, plant flowers, scatter mulch, paint your house number on the curb, sweep the walkway, make your entrance welcoming and warm.
Decorate With Summer Accents: Look around your home for colour inspiration. Add vivid blue decor items for a calming effect. Replace dark coloured accent pillows and throw rugs with brighter Summer hues.
Bring the Light Inside: If you have heavy drapes, remove them as they make rooms look smaller. Pull window blinds to the top and tape the strings underneath. Consider using tie-backs to hold open lighter-weight curtains. The only time you would leave blinds closed is if there was an undesirable element on the other side of the window (ie a neighbour's wall or rubbish bins, and even then, open them slightly).
Have Flexible Showing Hours: Some people like to skip out of work early due to daylight savings. You might find buyers are more interested in touring your home during twilight hours.
Pick Your Inspection Times Carefully: It’s important to consider the festive season and public holidays when selling in Summer time. People are very busy, especially in December and January. If you’re holding inspections, make sure you have at least two or three so that all potential buyers can view the property. It’s also a good idea to hold them in the morning, especially in the hotter weather. If you’re auctioning your home, it might be best to hold off until late January when people are back from holidays - although we have found vendors and buyers like to celebrate Christmas and finish off the year with an exchange.
Move Furniture Outside: Not only does moving out furniture free up more room inside the home, but it creates an outdoor living space with items you already own. It's an illusion created for a buyer that says "yes, you too can own this lifestyle".
Deliver Sparkle: Gold or silver or brass or pewter? Doesn't matter. Mix them, if you like - old rules don't apply. Metals are summery. Vases, picture frames, mirrors, utensils, goblets and hanging planters all work.
Use Natural Air Fresheners: Fill the air in your home with natural fragrances such as those from fresh cut flowers, grown in your garden as commercial has no scent.
Control Air Temperature: There's nothing worse than a stuffy room on a hot day so be sure to circulate the air in your home. Even if you have to place floor fans about the home, keep the air moving. Turn down the air conditioning to a level just below your comfort zone on extra hot days. A cool indoors will keep visitors indoors viewing your home for longer.
