How to Sell a Home During the Summer

Most people who have children prefer to move during the summer instead of moving during the school year. Because of this, there are usually a lot more real estate sales during the summer, so it is a perfect time to sell a home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Try to get your home on the market towards the beginning of the summer. This will give your house the most amount of time on the market during the summer months.

2. Make sure your home stays tidy since you could get only a few minutes notice before a viewing. If you have kids that stay home during the summer, try to keep them busy with structured activities instead of pulling all of the toys out of their closet and making a mess. Playing outside is a good option because they will not mess up the house.
   
   Make sure you have a plan of where you will go with the kids if you have a viewing. Perhaps you will take them out to lunch or to go get ice cream or a snow ball. This incentive will encourage them to help you tidy up quickly before you leave.

3. Keep your yard watered. A brown yard does not give off a good first impression. If you are only allowed to water once or twice a week due to water restrictions, water each of the allowed days in the morning and evening.

4. If you go on vacation, make sure your home is taken care of during that time. Make sure the yard is mowed and watered. Make sure your mail and newspapers are held or picked up while you are gone. Your home temperature should stay somewhat cool for potential viewings. You may want to keep some of the window coverings open so your home does not feel dark. Consider using a mild plug in air freshener to keep your home smelling nice instead of stale.

5. Leave a note for visitors to help themselves to a cold bottled water or canned soda in your refrigerator. Visitors or their children who are thirsty are likely to spend less time in your home.

6. Create a take away sheet for visitors that explains what is great and special about your home. They are likely to be visiting many homes on the same day during the summer, so having something for them to take will help them remember what is so special about yours. Make sure to check out the competition to know why your home is better than theirs.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[rlegan]

on 9/6/2009 I am a Realtor in Strongsville, Ohio and I absolutly love the idea of offering water from the frig. I will tell my seller's about this as it also makes the seller appear more approachable.

[mymukki]

on 8/2/2009 Very good tips, I plan to use them as my house is on the market now! The water is a great idea for the summer, especially here in the south! Our house is empty, so this will help keep it welcoming. 5*

[jesseivy]

on 8/2/2009 Good points! Great article. 5 Stars And A Rec.

[lilolladystuff]

on 7/31/2009 Good artcle on how to sell your home in summer. Thanks.

[DiscountTickets]

on 7/31/2009 You've got such great ideas here, so well written.