Selling your home in the summer can be a golden opportunity, so if you've been too busy or hesitant due to market uncertainties, this is a great time to focus on the goal.
It may already be August, but it's not too late to take advantage of all the benefits that come with selling your home during the summer. Unlike the winter months, summer's warmth and longer days not only enhance your property's curb appeal but also make it a great time to showcase its best features. To learn more about selling your home during the summer months, we tapped Tom Postilio & Mickey Conlon of Compass to learn about strategic improvements, learn how to present your home in its best light, attract serious buyers, and potentially close a successful sale before the season ends.
Curb Appeal: Splurge vs. Save
It's natural to want to customize your curb appeal when you'll be the one to enjoy it, but a major revamp to prepare for a home sale can come with a hefty price tag. When should you splurge, and when you save your pennies?
When to Splurge
- Landscaping: Investing in professional landscaping can significantly boost curb appeal. "Consider adding colorful flowers, fresh mulch, trimming bushes, and refreshing the lawn to create an inviting exterior," shared Postilio. This first impression makes a difference and increases buyer demand, especially when inventory levels are high.
- Exterior Paint: "If the home's exterior paint is fading or peeling, investing in a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in the overall appearance," added Conlon. A fresh exterior will also influence the list price, because it signals to prospective buyers that it's a chore they won't have to pay for out-of-pocket after buying the home.
- Front Door: Upgrading the front door can be a worthwhile investment. "A new, stylish door can serve as a focal point and create a welcoming entrance," he added. As a matter of fact, Remodeling Magazine's recent Cost vs. Value Report highlights that entry door replacement can result in a 188% ROI (even higher in some parts of the country — for example, in New England, the ROI spikes to 236%.
When to Save Your Money
- Outdoor Lighting: "Updating outdoor lighting fixtures can be relatively affordable," reminds Conlon. "And, it can make a big impact on the home's exterior."
- Minor Repairs: "Small repairs such as fixing loose shutters, repairing walkways, or cleaning the gutters can freshen up the exterior without breaking the bank," added Postilio.
- Power Washing: "Giving the exterior a thorough power wash can be a low-cost way to making it look clean and well-maintained without a significant cost," he added. And indeed it can — if you need tips for this DIY project, we've already highlighted techniques for cleaning surfaces including brick and flagstone.
"Ultimately, the decision to splurge or save on exterior features should align with the client's budget and the specific needs of the property," shares Postilio. "A well-maintained and visually appealing exterior can make a strong first impression on potential buyers, so it's worth considering strategic investments in key areas."
5 Fast (Fairly) Fast Fixes
Getting a house sale-ready doesn't always have to be a time-consuming process. Here are five quick fixes that can help prepare a house for sale during the peak months of real estate season:
- Declutter and depersonalize. Minimization helps highlight the benefits of a house during showings. "Clearing out clutter and personal items can make the home appear more spacious and allow potential buyers to envision themselves living there," shares Postilio. "Quick decluttering tasks include organizing countertops, clearing out excessive furniture, and storing away personal items like family photos."
- Deep clean. A thorough cleaning can work wonders in making the home more appealing, and any Real Estate agent would agree. "Focus on high-traffic areas, kitchens, and bathrooms to ensure they sparkle," adds Postilio. "Pay attention to details such as baseboards, windows, and light fixtures to give the home a fresh, well-maintained look." Housing market factors aside, no one is *more* interested in bidding high on a dirty home.
- Complete minor repairs. "Addressing minor repairs can have a big impact on the overall impression of the homes for sale," he adds. Quick fixes can also lead to quick sales. "Things like patching up holes in walls, fixing leaky faucets, and replacing broken light bulbs can make the home feel well-cared for and move-in ready. Another of our favorite tips is to freshen up grout on bathroom tiles and reglazing tubs."
- Enhance curb appeal. "First impressions matter, so spending some time on the exterior can be a quick win," highlights Postilio, echoing the sentiment of the entire real estate market. "Tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, adding potted plants, and giving the front door a fresh coat of paint can enhance curb appeal in a short amount of time."
- Neutralize décor. The goal is to broaden the appeal of the home to leave a good impression on buyers. "Consider repainting bold-colored walls with neutral paint, removing unique or polarizing artwork, and minimizing personal effects to create a more universally appealing space," shares Postilio.
"These quick fixes can help create a more inviting and marketable home without requiring a significant time investment," agrees Conlon. "Each property is unique, so it's important to tailor these quick fixes to the specific needs of the home and the preferences of potential buyers."
How should you stage your home for a summer sale?
Seasonally appropriate staging can indeed play a significant role in making your home more appealing to potential buyers, especially for an end-of-summer sale.
- Embrace natural light. "End-of-summer days often offer beautiful natural light, so it's worth scheduling viewings during peak sunlight hours," notes Conlon. "Open blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible, making the home feel bright, airy, and welcoming."
- Highlight outdoor spaces. "As the summer draws to a close, showcasing outdoor living spaces such as patios, decks, and gardens can be particularly appealing. Arrange outdoor furniture to create inviting seating areas," suggests Postilio.
- Refresh with light colors. "While painting walls clean white isn't necessary, using light and neutral colors can help create a fresh and airy atmosphere," notes Conlon. "Consider refreshing walls with light, neutral tones that compliment the natural light and create a sense of spaciousness." Lighter tones can also help accent the space during virtual tours.
- Incorporate seasonal accents. "To reflect the season, consider incorporating subtle seasonal accents into your staging," he adds. But avoid creeping into your holiday season accents! "For an end-of-summer sale, you might add touches of late-summer florals, such as sunflowers or goldenrod, to bring warmth and vibrancy to the space."
- Maintain a comfortable temperature. "The weather may still be warm, so make sure that the home is kept at a comfortable temperature during viewings," notes Postilio. "If the home has air conditioning, consider keeping it on to create a pleasant indoor environment for those house hunting."
- Highlight cooling features. If it's hot out, people are going to fixate on ways they can cool off in their future home. "If your home has features that provide relief from the summer heat, such as ceiling fans, shaded outdoor areas, or even a swimming pool, be sure to highlight these amenities to showcase the home's suitability for end-of-summer living," notes Conlon.
