Dec 13, 2016 10:51:28 AM

Arranging your home for a summer sale

Topics: Selling, Mortgage Advisers, Mortgages, Summer 0

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Selling your home in summer lets you show it off at its very best. But enticing prospective buyers in can be tricky, when many prefer to avoid attending open homes when it’s just too hot. To help get your home summer-ready in time to sell, we’re sharing our tips. Embrace those lazy summer days with a few simple chores to make your home a cool and welcoming oasis for prospective buyers.

Gorgeous gardens

Your front garden is the first impression prospective buyers will have of your home so it’s a good place to start. Trim back any trees and hedges that may have become overgrown during spring to ensure they’re not blocking windows, while still allowing for some shady areas in your garden. Add elements of colour and tranquillity to the outside of your home by filling flowerbeds with summer blooms. Mow the grass and replant any brown areas that may have suffered from the harsh summer sun. Keep plants well hydrated and garden beds mulched.

 

Freshen up outdoor areas

Summer is a great time to really show off the outdoor areas in your home, letting prospective buyers imagine their own families enjoying a BBQ on the deck, splashing in the pool, or relaxing in the garden.

If you have a pool, ensure the water is sparkling and inviting, and that there is no debris floating on top. Outdoor patios and decks can be water blasted to remove dirt, and a new coat of paint can do wonders to freshen up the outside of your home. Arrange outdoor furniture with colourful cushions or set out bottles of ice-water or a pitcher of lemonade to tempt thirsty buyers at your open home.

 

Cool and inviting

Invite the cool inside by making your home a comfortable oasis where buyers can escape from the heat. Keep the air conditioning or ceiling fans on during open home inspections, or open windows and doors to let in a breeze. Ensure curtains and blinds are open to let in as much light as possible, or turn on lights to brighten up darker rooms and create an impression of space.

Consider scheduling open homes for early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the middle of the day heat. Remove or pack away anything that says winter – like heaters, heavy curtains, or warm throws and blankets on beds and couches. Roll up loose rugs to show off varnished floors or cool tiles.

 

Repair and tidy

De-clutter and de-personalise your home by removing personal photos, children’s artwork and anything else that may distract prospective buyers from being able to see their own families in your home. Little, niggly things that you’ve never gotten around to repairing like the skirting boards that need repainting or that dripping tap? Now’s a good time to fix those.

And finally, give your home a good clean, paying careful attention to eliminating any pet odours, dusting hard to reach corners where spider webs may have accumulated, and tidying and wiping down the inside of cupboards where nosy buyers may take a look.

 

A new home for summer

If you are considering selling your home this summer and you’ve already found your next dream home, talk to us about bridging finance while you sell your existing home. Or get in touch if you need help planning ahead for a future home buy.