There is generally more traffic on the housing market in spring and summer. Those with families that have children in school want to sell, buy and be settled before school starts again. This allows the children to make friends and get settled in their new surroundings so that the first day of school is perhaps a little easier.  Then as it gets later into the summer, the real estate market slows down again with a little bit of a pickup in the fall. There are buyers that look for deals during the holiday months of November and December, but this will be the quietest time of the year for the housing market.

So while there is some truth to having better luck of selling during the spring months, remember people are looking year round at houses. This is where you, the seller, need to make sure your home is in tune with the current season that it is on the market.

Regardless of the reason you have your home for sale during any season is there are basic questions you need to ask yourself. Things like how quickly you need to move; if your home is a summer spectacle or a winter wonderland; or if your house is good for an old couple or good for a family; are all good things to consider before you decide when you will be marketing your home for sale. 

Since this is the start of the summer selling season, let’s take a look at what makes a great summer home sale. 

•  Make sure the outside is appealing and draws the prospective buyer inside. Your lawn should stay mowed, edged and flower beds weeded and watered. You don’t want wilted plantings or dead shrubs greeting the next possible owner. Keep your house fresh looking even in the hot sun.
•  Have the air conditioning turned on and working well! It is hot outside, and these prospective buyers have been in and out of cars, walking up and down streets, they are hot! And we all know that shopping for anything when you’re uncomfortable is not pleasant or fun. You don’t want them walking in to a deep freeze, but you want them to feel they have found a haven from the heat! Cool it down and they will stay longer.
•  Since this is summer, make the outdoor areas of your home a strong focus point! Money spent to power wash the deck and cleaning and painting the outdoor furniture will be money well spent, chances are you’ll get every bit of it back when you sell the house. Your house doesn’t have a deck? Then create an outdoor sitting area with a small table and some chairs placed around it, offering a view of the back yard.  
•  Does your home offer a swimming pool? This is definitely a big seller during the summer months. So making sure it’s clean, treated and fresh looking, so the prospective buyers will vision themselves floating around or their children splashing and laughing.

Summer is here and the time is right for selling your house out of all the houses on your street.  Help buyers beat the heat and keep everything neat for a sweet summer home sale!