4 Simple Ways to Sell Real Estate in the Summer

Most people and realtors will tell you that summer is the best time to buy and sell real estate, no matter what kind of property you have – condo, house, investment property… The popular assumption is that with enough sunshine streaming in, and with a well kept garden, the house will practically sell itself. The problem with lazy thinking like that is no amount of sunshine or flowers will elevate a property above others – summer, as a whole tends to be pretty indiscriminate. So what can be done to make a property appeal over all others during the busiest real estate season of the year?
Scope the competition – what are other homes in the neighborhood going for? What features do they have? How can you showcase the properties’ strengths while downplaying its weaknesses? Something as simple as drawing attention to a large garden, placing a home further back from the road than similar homes in the area can be a big incentive to the right kind of buyers.
Keeping it clean – inside and out. Everyone will be touching up their yards to sell a house in the summer, but great curb appeal can be shattered by sloppy housekeeping. The inside and outside need to speak for themselves. De-clutter, file away unnecessary knick knacks, get rid of any out-of-season messes, tidy up after the last BBQ, then put out some fresh flowers and open the curtains to reveal (freshly cleaned) windows.
Fix any small problems – sticky gate to the back yard? Paint peeling off the fence? Ratty shrubs that need to be pruned in the back yard? Patio or balcony just really dirty? With a lot of homes on the market, even small issues can put a potential buyer off. Nobody wants a property that already comes with a weekend to-do list.
Keep it cool – everyone loves floor to ceiling windows, but they can let a lot of heat in if the blinds and curtains are open. Run the AC if it’s available. If not, and the property gets seriously uncomfortable, consider getting it installed. Turn it into an asset that no other property has.