Summer is nearly upon us. And, if the recent weather is anything to go by, it could well be a scorcher. The season of holidays, strawberries, Pimms, the World Cup and Wimbledon is also a great one in which to sell a home.
You can use the longer days and better weather – which encourages more house-hunters to get out and about viewing homes – to your advantage, making your home look its absolute best and drastically increasing the number of eyes on your property at the same time.
With this in mind, we outline some top tips to get your home sold this summer...
Make use of green space
Whether you have a sprawling front or back garden, a small lawn, or a modest patch of land outside your home, summer is the season to make use of whatever green space you have available.
For many buyers, particularly families with young children, the garden will be a major selling point. Show it off as much as you can and point out to potential purchasers how it can be used as a place to socialise, a place to hold informal summer BBQs and a safe space for the kids to burn off all that excess energy.
If you have a particular feature in your garden that is extra special – for example a spectacular water feature, a stylishly converted shed or an elegant seating area – accentuate this as much as possible.
Whether you are targeting families, young professionals or green-fingered retirees, your garden – more than anything else – needs to look the part. Immaculate lawns, well-pruned shrubs, colourful flowers/plants and a clean, attractive patio will all help to enhance your garden space. Best of all, this is cheap, quick and easy to achieve.
Be adaptable
If you are selling your home, flexibility will be key when it comes to viewings. This isn’t always easy to achieve in the summer months – when trips away and days out with the kids are far more likely – but if you are selling it may be wise to forgo the holiday abroad for later in the year to make sure you are around to accommodate viewings.
Of course, your agent will often carry out viewings on your behalf – so those days out won’t need to be cancelled – but if you would prefer to be there in person or carry out the viewings yourself it’s a good move to be as flexible with timings as possible. As long as the requests from buyers aren’t outrageous, a flexible and adaptable approach will be much appreciated.
Take a fresh approach
If a viewing is being held on a particularly warm day, make sure you open all windows and doors in your property to fill your home with fresh air. Air fresheners, fans and a blast of air conditioning can also help to ensure stuffiness isn’t an issue.
A cool breeze greeting would-be buyers as they view your home is likely to make the whole experience much more pleasant than if they are melting from the excessive heat.
Bring the outdoors in
Everyone is much happier in the summer, right? So if you can bring that summery vibe indoors, with light and airy décor, seasonal pot plants and summer-style décor (think cool colours, light soft furnishings and ocean or beach themes), it stands to reason that would-be buyers will be in a more positive mindset as they make their way around your home.
A buyer in a happy mood may also be one who is likely to make a decision there and then about whether the home is right for them.
Remember to try and flood your home with as much natural light as possible, but keep certain rooms – such as the bedrooms and bathroom - cool by keeping curtains and blinds closed. The kitchen and living areas, on the other hand, will benefit from sun shining directly on them.
Minimalise your living area
To achieve a light, airy feel, a minimalist approach is best. Neutral décor and a less-is-more mantra will also allow would-be buyers to better visualise the home as their own. Ditch the knick-knacks and the items that are too personal and try and make your living space feel as big as possible.
You can also make use of summer colours by adding a splash here and there via rugs, cushions, other soft furnishings and curtains. Sky blues, greens, yellows (the trendiest colour of the moment) and light shades of orange, pink and red can all help to bring a touch of summer and calmness to your living space without being overbearing. By contrast, rich, heavy, wintery colours will stand out like a sore thumb in the summer months and should be minimised or eradicated.
Tidy up the front of your home
The frontage of your property is the first thing viewers will see. As such, it needs to look in tip-top condition to avoid deterring would-be buyers before they’ve even entered your home.
To get things started on the right foot, ensure that all gutters and drains are clear from debris and, if you have a front garden, cut the lawn, trim any hedges back and ensure all shrubbery and plants have been well-maintained. If you have a driveway, make sure it looks presentable, while any porch or entrance areas should be free from clutter like bikes, shoes and trainers.
Carry out the above steps and your chances of selling this summer should be high. At Owl Search, we can help to sell your home in Hertfordshire, Borehamwood, North West London and the surrounding areas. Please get in contact with us on 020 3432 3888.
What’s more, we offer free online valuations for sellers who would like an estimate of their property’s current worth.
