Getting Your Home Ready for a Summer Sale: Ultimate Tips for Success 

As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, summer presents a fantastic opportunity to sell your home. With the sun shining, gardens in full bloom, and buyers eager to move during the school holidays, it’s a prime season for real estate deals. To make the most of this selling window, here is a guide on what to do when getting your home ready for a summer sale. 

Boost Curb Appeal 

First impressions matter. To captivate potential buyers from the moment they lay eyes on your property, make sure your home’s exterior shines.  

Landscaping is the perfect place to start. It can be as simple as trimming the grass, adding fresh mulch or planting colourful flowers. Be sure to clean the exterior of your home, including windows and driveways, with a good pressure wash. If you really want to take it up a level, Home Beautiful has provided seven ways to create kerb appeal, including: 

• Reinstating or repainting any heritage architectural features, like archways or fretwork.  
• Adding a formal garden path to your front steps or door. 
• Instating a statement front gate painted with a bright pop of colour 
• Painting your home exterior white  
• Adding a stone feature wall 
• Having an updated and stylish front fence 
• Updating your roof 

A welcoming exterior sets the stage for what’s inside. 

Let the Light In 

Summer is all about sunshine and warmth, so make the most of it when getting your home ready for a summer sale.

Open curtains and blinds to let natural light flood your space. And, although it sounds count-intuitive to have windows open and aircon on – do it! You want to make sure your potential buyers are kept cool and comfortable.  

Consider light, airy curtains that complement your interior décor. Freedom stocks a beautiful range of affordable sheers in tab top, eyelet and s-fold curtains to suit any home. Oh, and don’t forget to clean your windows to show off a crystal-clear view! 

Create an Inviting Atmosphere 

Emphasise the season’s charm by updating your interior decor with summer in mind.  

Light, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton can give your home a relaxed and airy feel. Add some pops of colour with summer-themed decor like throw pillows, artwork, and accessories. Vogue has a great range of summer decorating ideas, including tips on choosing summer colours and how to create a resort vibe. 

Even if you can’t splurge on professional staging, small updates can make a world of difference. And don’t forget, fresh flowers in vases and bowls of citrus fruits can create a refreshing ambience. 

Maintain Optimal Temperature 

Keep your home comfortably cool, especially during open houses or private showings. When getting your home ready for a summer sale, consider setting the air conditioning a few degrees lower to provide a welcome respite from the summer heat. 

If you have a patio or backyard, try to incorporate shade options like umbrellas or pergolas for outdoor comfort, and turn your outdoor and indoor fans on to increase airflow.  

Clean and Declutter 

We really can’t stress this point enough: a clean and clutter-free home is incredibly appealing to potential buyers. It’s a great way to prepare your home for a summer sale and shine a light on your home’s features.

Start with a deep clean of each room, including carpets, appliances, and windows. Get rid of items you don’t need and consider renting a storage unit for excessive clutter. Don’t forget to declutter your cupboards – especially your linen cupboard! Buyers will always open doors to check out storage spaces, and there’s nothing worse than opening a cupboard to find everything just stuffed in there, ready to jump out at you!  

Tidy, organised spaces will make your home feel more inviting, more spacious, and more liveable.  

Stage Your Home 

Right off the bat, let us just say that not everyone can afford staging. But if you can, staging can significantly boost your home’s appeal and the sale price of your summer sale. In fact, according to realestate.com.au, for every dollar that you invest in styling your property, you make $3 in return when you sell. That sounds like a worthwhile investment to us! 

If you’re in the Hunter Valley/Newcastle regions, we highly recommend Authentically Staged. But you can also check out these professional staging companies: 

Get Staged Newcastle & Hunter 

Plush Home 

Newcastle Home Staging 

Mode Hire 

If you can’t stretch the budget for staging, try simply rearranging your furniture and refreshing décor to maximise the space and create a more inviting atmosphere. The goal is to help potential buyers envision themselves living in your home. 

Enhance Outdoor Spaces 

Summer is the perfect time to show off your outdoor areas. Make your patio, deck, or backyard an inviting and attractive space for relaxation and entertaining.  

Don’t forget to give your outdoor furniture a good clean, add fresh cushions, and create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere with fresh potted plants and outdoor rugs. 

Repair and Upgrade 

Take care of any necessary repairs and upgrades before listing your home.  

Leaky taps, creaky doors, and peeling paint should be addressed. In some cases, investing in small upgrades like updated light fixtures or door handles will give your home a face-lift and yield a significant return on investment. Want to DIY new door handles? Read ‘How to Replace a Door Handle with Shannon Vos’. 

Emphasise Energy Efficiency 

Summer homebuyers often appreciate energy-efficient features. Ensure your real estate agent is well briefed on any energy-efficient appliances, windows, or insulation in your home – that way they can highlight them to potential buyers. You could even be prepared to share lower utility bills as a selling point. 

Showcase Summer Amenities 

If your home has unique summer amenities, like a pool, outdoor kitchen, or a beautiful garden, make sure they’re showcased in your marketing materials. 

 

We always recommend using professional photos to highlight these features and emphasise how they can enhance a buyer’s summer lifestyle. 

Set a Competitive Price 

Work with your real estate agent to determine a competitive but attractive asking price. Consider recent sales in your neighbourhood, market conditions, and any unique selling points your home offers. A well-priced home is more likely to generate interest and get potential buyers through the front door.  

Market Strategically 

Your real estate agent should implement a marketing plan tailored to the summer season. Utilise online listings, social media, and print materials to showcase your home’s summer appeal. As we mentioned above, high-quality photography and even virtual tours for interstate or non-local buyers can be engaging and generate interest.  

Be Flexible with Showings 

With longer daylight hours and summer holidays, potential buyers may request showings at different times. Be flexible and accommodating to ensure you don’t miss out on any interested parties. 

Highlight Local Amenities 

Summer buyers often consider the neighbourhood’s amenities. Choosing a real estate agent who is local to your area will ensure that they’re better able to promote local parks, community events, and nearby attractions that make your area appealing during the summer months.

Suggestions for nearby cafes, vineyards, favourite ice cream spots, or outdoor activities can create a personal connection and highlight your neighbourhood’s charm. 

Prepare for Quick Settlements 

Summer buyers are often more motivated to move quickly, especially those with school-aged children. Be prepared for a speedy settlement process and have all necessary documents and information readily available. 

Is your home ready for a summer sale?

Selling your home during summer can be very beneficial. Generally, the longer daylight hours and nicer weather make it easier and more pleasant for potential buyers to view and appreciate your home. By focusing on curb appeal, creating an inviting atmosphere, and effectively marketing your property, you can increase your chances of a successful and profitable summer sale. 

Want to make your selling experience simpler? Talk to us before you put your property on the market! We’ll guide you through the process and be there at every step of the way. Call us today on (02) 4056 1070 for your free consultation call, or get your free quote HERE.