Tips for a Quick Sale This Summer

Every season brings unique challenges for home selling. In the winter, homes might appear darker than normal under dreary skies. In autumn, falling leaves mean a constant battle to keep up curb appeal. Spring means tons of competition in the market and the need to make your home stand out from the rest. Summer has its own challenges, with hot temps, fast-growing grass and foliage, and bright sunshine that illuminates every tiny flaw you’ve been ignoring. Summer 2019 officially starts on June 21^st, so be ready for a quick home sale with these simple, trusted tips:

Fine-Tune Your Curb Appeal

It’s hot outside, Metro Atlanta, so step up your lawn care game to keep your home’s curb appeal in tip-top shape. Mow the lawn twice a week, keep it watered to avoid dead, burnt spots, and trim bushes and shrubs to keep a neat, tidy look. Pull weeds and put out fresh mulch or pine straw in flower beds. Touch up paint and make the front door sparkle. Finally, if your home’s concrete driveway is showing its age, power wash it and add a sealant to make it look fresh and new.

Let the Light Shine In

The sun is shining, so let it in! Take down heavy, dark drapery and replace it with something light and neutral. Open window blinds for showings. Clean your windows until they sparkle; that summer sun will show every streak of pollen and dirt. Help your home to feel bright and airy by letting in lots of natural light.

Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces

Whether you have a swimming pool or just a simple patio, do your best in the summer months to highlight your outdoor spaces. Comfortable outdoor furniture is a good place to start, and you can use throw pillows to add a pop of color. Add a fire pit (home improvement stores sell movable fire pits that require no installation) or a countertop work space near your grill. Be sure the space is shaded. If there are no trees for shade, get an outdoor umbrella or two to cool things off. Complete the look with bright flowers and citronella candles in decorative pots for accessories that serve a purpose.

Complete Repairs Before Officially Listing

Bright sunshine has a way of revealing imperfections, so take a close look at your home for the small details you may have missed.  Clean from top to bottom, de-clutter, and paint the exterior if needed. Touch up paint inside to remove smudges and fingerprints. Be sure ceiling fans are working properly and that your HVAC units have been recently serviced. If you have a running toilet or a leaky faucet that has been a nuisance but not high on your priority list to fix, now is the time to get it done. Attention to the little details will let buyers know your home has been well maintained and they’ll pay top dollar for that assurance.

Keep It Cool

Be sure the air in each room is circulating properly. A stuffy, hot room on a 90-degree day will drive buyers away. Noisy floor fans are not ideal, but they’ll work in a pinch if you have a particularly warm room in your home. On very hot days, set the air conditioning a bit cooler than you normally would; cool temps inside will encourage buyers to linger and let them see more of your home.

Offer Summer Refreshments

What’s better on a hot afternoon than an ice-cold drink? Place a decorative bowl filled with ice, bottles of water, lemonade, and soft drinks in the kitchen with a simple note inviting visitors to help themselves. Go the extra mile with prepackaged snacks that buyers can take with them, a reminder of that pretty house they liked so much.

Be Flexible For Showings

Summer is a busy time for most families. They are juggling time with kids, vacations, summer camps, and more. It can be hard to schedule viewings at traditional times. Sellers should be as flexible as possible. Many buyers will request late evening showings, since it stays light outside longer in the early summer months. Keep your home tidy and be ready to clear out when needed. Your flexibility will be rewarded with a quick sale!

With a few tweaks, it’s easy to get your home ready – and keep it that way – for a fast summer sale. For more trusted real estate advice, contact Peggy Slappey Properties at 770-271-5555. We’ll connect you with an agent who is an expert in your locale and get you on your way to SOLD.

Peggy Slappey Properties, Inc. is a Metro Atlanta real estate brokerage with over 35 years of experience in real estate sales and marketing.  From new home construction to resales, we can help you find the home of your dreams.  To see our current listings, visit www.psponline.com and call us for expert advice at 770-271-5555.  Keep up to date with the latest PSP events and offers by checking in on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/peggyslappeyproperties and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/psponline.