GUIDE TO SELLING IN SUMMER

If you weren’t quite ready to sell in the springtime, but still want to achieve your real estate goals this year, you’re in luck! Summer is actually a popular time of year for home purchases. So, if you are thinking about selling this summer, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the summer market. Follow this guide for insight on how to best navigate summertime buyers and set yourself up for a successful summer sale.

Preparing your Home for Summer Weather

No matter what time of year you plan to sell your home, you’ll need to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. This includes making any necessary repairs and renovations to maximize your profit. This is particularly important for summer selling, because hot and humid weather can wear and tear a home if it’s not properly taken care of. 

With summer weather at your disposal, you have the opportunity to present your home at its best. Rather than having snow on the ground, dead or barely sprouted plants- buyers will see your listing in full bloom. This provides a distinct advantage to boost your curb appeal, and make a great first impression on potential buyers. Before the temperature heats up even more, follow these to-do’s on our Summer Home Maintenance Checklist!

Understanding the Summertime Buyer

Buyers are motivated during the summer months, especially right before the new school year begins. It’s in your best interest to determine your buyer’s motivations and use them to your advantage. 

Summer buyers are most likely motivated by:

• TIME. Homebuyers may be taking advantage of the flexibility summer offers with schools out of session. This is especially true for families who are relocating from a different area and have a small window of time to home search and settle before the new school year. These buyers particularly may be willing to pay more for a home if the seller has a timeline that matches their own.
  
  
• LOW INVENTORY. Inventory can be reduced in the summer, especially toward the end of the season. Spring is historically the most common time of year for home purchases, so it’s likely many of the homes in your market sold previously. You may find that there are plenty of disappointed buyers in your area who are now eager to buy in the summer.

Summer Staging

Staging helps homes sell for more at any time of the year, but summer staging can be uniquely effective. Maximize your sale price potential with these summer staging tips:

Keep Things Cool - the last thing you want is your prospective buyers tofeel uncomfortable in your home. Make sure you have the AC set to a cool temperature for showings. It’s also a good idea to turn ceiling fans on so the air in your home is circulating and your buyers are met with a pleasant breeze.

Stage Outdoors - Outdoor spaces are huge selling points, and you have the unique  opportunity to exacerbate this advantage in summer. Stage every single outdoor space, from your front porch to your deck or patio. You want to put heavy emphasis on how much living and entertaining your home’s outdoor space provides. Make sure to turn on any fountains, pool lights, and waterfalls, light your fire pit, and remove your grill cover. If you want to go the extra mile, set your outdoor dining tables to make them even more inviting.

Lighten The Rooms - Replace heavy drapes with sheer or lighter curtains to allow natural light into your home. Swap all heavy blankets, throw-pillows, and towels with light-weight options, such as linen or cotton. The goal is to make the home feel more breathable to your buyers.

Add Color - Summer is a vibrant time of year, so why not bring that into your home’s interior? Add pops of citrus colors such as bright yellow, orange, and green. Bright colors will make your home stand-out and be more memorable to buyers. Brighter blue shades are a great alternative if louder colors aren’t your style.

Selling While on Vacation

A major concern for sellers selling in the summertime is that the real estate process may conflict with prior engagements such as weddings, vacations, and/or travel plans. However, there are strategies you can take advantage of to ensure your summer selling experience is as stress-free as possible no matter where you are.

• Get on the same page as your agent before leaving town. This includes: price, timeline, and other factors important to you.
  
  
• Establish best practices for communication with your agent. This includes making sure your agent has the correct phone and email, and knows what form of communication is going to work best for you while you’re away. Familiarize yourself with the platforms your agent may need to use, such as online document signing platforms in time-sensitive situations.
   
• Try to still check-in with your agent while away on vacation. Designating a specific time for check-ins can be helpful so you aren’t continuously checking your email, texts, or voicemail.