Summer is a great time for lots of things but, surprisingly, selling a home isn’t one of them. This is due to many factors that homeowners don’t necessarily consider.
Here are a few of these to give you an idea:
In saying that, not everybody can wait until autumn to sell. If you’re relocating for work or going through a divorce settlement you may be forced to sell in summer. If this is the case then here are 4 tips to optimise your selling experience.
The right real estate agent can make all the difference in your sale, and especially so in summer. They should have the experience to know what local buyers are looking for and be able to offer advice on ways to best present your home for the summer market.
Try to get your home on the market as early as possible in the season, at least by early December to take advantage of the last of the spring rush and the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Summer can work in your favour if you’re targeting buyers who don’t have children, or people who are in house buying mode no matter what the season. You’ll have less competition from other sellers once the spring rush dies down.
Buyers can see firsthand how your home handles the heat and check out its sustainability and environmental friendliness - a distinct advantage over other seasons. This can achieve you a higher selling price, especially if your home has features that buyers will pay top dollar for.
How livable and appealing your home is during summer should always be taken into account, and there are lots of ways you can increase these factors for buyers. Changing the interior design to match the season is just one way you can do this.
Nature inspired interiors
One enduring decor theme that will appeal to potential buyers in summer is the theme of nature. Swap out muted soft furnishings with cushions and throws in floral designs or vibrant colours like bright blues and greens. Add nature in the form of houseplants, vases of fresh cut flowers, or artwork. See this Domain article for nature inspired decor ideas .
Beach inspired interiors
A classic interior design theme is ‘coastal’ and ideal for summer viewings, especially if you’re situated near a bay or harbour. Utilise white-on-white walls, floors and ceilings, offset by rugs in sand, taupe or cream colours. Add maritime ornaments such as: coral, shells, driftwood, a telescope, maps, anything that’s reminiscent of the ocean. See this Domain article for classic coastal decor ideas .
Sustainable inspired interiors
Consider holding open for inspections between 5 to 7pm rather than in the heat of the day. If you have energy efficient air conditioning, great! but ceiling fans can also be effective as well to get a breeze going. Install blinds or roller shutters to block out sunlight during the day to keep your home cool for evening viewings.
An outdoor living area will be top of the list for potential buyers in summer because it’s an extension of the interior of the home. Consider getting your outdoor patio or entertainment deck professionally staged and leaving it that way for the duration of the selling process. If you want to have a go yourself, see these photos for outdoor living design ideas .
Interested in further ways to prepare your home to sell in summer? Use the Bricks + Agent platform to hire an interior designer that will help you redecorate and remodel in no time.