Top tips for selling this summer

The summer can be a difficult time to sell a property, with holiday season in full swing and families spending time entertaining their children rather than house hunting. However, there are some advantages of marketing a home in the summer and NAEA Propertymark has a few simple tips and tricks to attract a summertime buyer.

Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark comments: “As a rule of thumb, the property market is generally slower in the summer as the holiday season kicks in, and buyers and sellers leave the country in the pursuit of sun. It’s therefore important to go the extra mile if you’re trying to sell during these months. There are a few inexpensive improvements which will create great first impressions and increase your chances of a speedy and profitable sale.”

NAEA Propertymark’s top tips for selling your home this summer:

Spruce up the interior

Potential buyers must be able to picture themselves living in your home – and they have varied tastes, so when you’re upgrading the soft furnishings or giving the walls a fresh lick of paint, keep the colours neutral. Light, bright and plain walls will maximise the space, make the property feel fresh to potential buyers, and help them visualise their own belongings in the property.

De-personalise and de-clutter

Before marketing your home, you should remove personal items, such as family photographs and ornaments, which may distract potential buyers. Room size is always something house hunters are looking for, and removing clutter will make your rooms look tidier and bigger. Be brutal and get rid of anything that is broken or unused – it’s a good excuse to have a spring clean before the move too!

Make sure the garden is looking great

Summer is the best time to show off a well-kept garden and can give your home the ‘wow’ factor. Make sure it’s tidied of any litter, you’ve mowed the lawn, removed any weeds, and cut back any overgrown trees which may be restricting light. Plant pots will give your garden a splash of colour, and set up any outdoor furniture – like table and chairs, a BBQ, sun loungers or even a fire pit – so buyers can get a sense of what it’d be like to own your garden.

Light and airy

Natural light makes any property feel inviting and spacious, so make sure all the blinds and curtains are open during viewings. Rooms that smell of damp will repel buyers, so make sure you’ve properly ventilated the rooms – particularly those which are rarely used. Open the windows well in advance of any viewings and arrange flowers in vases to help improve the air quality in the room.

Make sure there aren’t any bad smells

If you have pets, there may be various smells which you’re used to, but the buyer may pick up on. Ask friends or family to look after any pets and air out the property for a few hours prior to the viewing. If you know you have a viewing coming up, you should also avoid cooking any strong smells such as garlic or fish as they can be overpowering and off-putting.

Bathroom makeover

Revitalise the bathroom by making small, inexpensive upgrades that will have a large impact. Add a green leafy plant or a new white shower curtain. You should also clear away any toiletries from the side – they can go in the cupboard, and make sure the toilet, bath, shower, sink, mirrors, and cabinets are all spotlessly clean. Put a new toilet roll in the holder and a clean hand towel out as well.

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