Tips for a quick and successful property sale in the Summer
Category Newsletter
While most homeowners are aware of this fact and may hold out for warm weather before listing their property, industry experts advise paying close attention to the reasons behind the season’s popularity in order to make the most of the opportunities it provides.
The most obvious reason behind the increased turnover of properties during spring and summer is the fact that almost all homes look more attractive during these seasons.
Rooms are brighter and more welcoming with sunshine beaming in, and doors and windows be left open to fill your home with fresh air and the scent of cut grass or flowers in the garden.
Your garden can be one of your greatest assets when selling a home in summer as it can do wonders to improve first impressions of your property and enhance the appearance of a well-loved and looked-after home.
If you’re planning on selling during spring or summer and you know long enough in advance, it’s an excellent idea to plan your planting to ensure plenty of flowers and lush greenery when you sell.
If that’s not possible, concentrate on things like your lawn and any hedges, keeping them neatly trimmed and edged and as green as possible.
Don’t forget your curb either, as it’s the first thing potential buyers will see. Neatly clipped grass, clean, weed-free paving and a few pots of colourful flowers can go a long way.
Swimming pools are another feature that are at their most enticing on a hot summer’s day, and can paint a pretty picture for potential buyers imagining what life in your house would be like. It goes without saying that your pool should be kept sparkling and free of leaves and debris.
Make sure it’s topped up as well, as low water levels from evaporation could be confused with a leak. It’s also a good idea to sweep any outdoor entertainment areas and dust off chairs and cushions as if you were expecting guests.
However, it's not only appearances that benefit from spring and summer conditions. The longer days also make viewing properties easier and more appealing for working professionals. In winter, viewing properties after work often means seeing them in the dark, whereas summer nights can be light until seven or eight o’clock, making it easier for buyers to get a feel for the property.
We recommend keeping doors and windows open on warm evenings, and putting on any garden lights as soon as the sun goes down to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that is all the more attractive after a long day at work.
We're lucky in South Africa that summer also coincides with the end of the year, which is when Christmas bonuses are paid and salary increases for the following year may be discussed. That, together with the holidays, tends to put buyers in a positive frame of mind, which could result in them feeling confident enough to place a higher offer on a home that they love.
As in all matters, selling in spring or summer may be a great idea, but it does have its downsides which need to be considered. The main disadvantage is the amount of competition you’ll face. Houses don’t compete with themselves based on how they show in the various seasons. They compete with other houses on the market at the same time as they are. In summer there are far more properties on show than there are in the cooler seasons, which makes it more difficult for your home to stand out from the crowd.
If your property is accurately priced and you’ve followed your agent’s advice to bring out the best features of your home summer is still the easiest season to sell fast and sell well.
Author: Property24
