You CAN Sell Your Home Over the Summer!

In fact, the July 2022 Louisville market continues to be a strong Seller’s market.

“As usual, my timing is bizarrely good.”

Jamie Oliver

Sometimes you have little or no choice about when you need to sell your home — a job transfer, an unexpected life change, or the house you’ve always wanted has suddenly come on the market.

Selling in the “off season” — such as during the Summer – may not seem ideal, but it can be done and it even brings certain advantages. More than during other times, it’s imperative that everything is done the right way to get the best results.

In Louisville’s continued hot market, there are more houses on the market now (in mid-July) than in mid-March, so I’m not even sure that we’ll have a true “off-season” this year. Regardless, there are some “tricks” to selling this time of year.

Believe it or not, everyone is not on vacation in the summer!  In fact, some buyers have more flexible schedules, which is a good thing. 

There are also plenty of buyers that are just getting their search started, as well as those who didn’t find the right house or got outbid during the busy Spring selling season.  Summer really can be a good time to sell your home to buyers who don’t want to wait until the Fall or next Spring. 

Here are some must-do tips for a strong summertime sale:

Target the Right Buyers for Your Neighborhood

As mentioned above, there are certain buyers who are looking over the Summer. But there are also buyers who are relocating and must move, pronto! You need to target these different types of buyers, tapping into their needs and wants for a home.

For a suburban home, your buyers may be tied to the school calendar and want to settle on a home quickly. You want to price your home correctly to bring in the foot traffic, make it as move-in ready as possible (they’re looking for convenience and don’t want to deal with “projects”), and showcase your home so it looks like a great place for their family to enjoy the rest of summer and get ready for a productive school year.

Be flexible with your showing hours. Daylight savings means families are on the go later into the evening, but they often find a lull after dinnertime…a perfect time for them to see your home.

If you’re closer to downtown, your neighborhood may attract more young and hip buyers, so your focus might be on first-time buyers who have more flexibility and may not have a deadline. These summertime shoppers are serious buyers and are ready to find a home and put in an offer, but they may not have to close and get settled before school resumes.

To attract these buyers, you’ll need to price your home right from the get-go, be generous with your terms (maybe offer to pay for closing costs) and make your home an irresistible summer retreat, with cozy nooks for reading and an inviting outdoor area.

Also, be flexible with the hours you show your home. With daylight lasting well past dinnertime, be open to later showings. Younger, first-time buyers will find this time more convenient during their work week. Make sure to take advantage of these daylight hours.

Showcase Your Home’s Summer Best

Now is the time to make your home shine on the inside and the outside. Make your home bright and welcoming…a summertime oasis!

Curb appeal and backyard staging will draw buyers in. You want buyers to want to see your home and then envision themselves living and relaxing there. Outdoor living space can be a big selling point, especially in the summer.

Plan to freshen up your summer décor, whether that means putting a bistro table and chairs on your deck; cleaning your patio furniture and adding new, colorful throw pillows; or putting a lovely wooden bench and flowerpots with fresh annuals near your front door. This may be a great time to work with a home stager, so you get it just right. I can make some recommendations to get you started, whether you choose to DIY or hire a helper.

Don’t skimp on or blast the air conditioning. Don’t make your home so hot and stuffy that buyers will rush through your home. And don’t make it so cold that they sprint through the rooms. Set your thermostat at a comfortable and cool temperature. If you’ve already moved (or you’re on vacation) and your home is vacant, make sure you program your thermostat so that the inside stays as cool during possible showings. Buyers will love to get out of the heat!

Brighten up your home. Consider switching dark-colored pillows, throw rugs, bedding, and other décor to lighter-colored options. A white bedspread, new light-colored, fluffy bath towels, and fresh, clean throw pillows always looks good! Clean the windows, open the blinds, and keep the lights on, too. A bright house makes a happy home!

Maintain your yard and water, water, water. Mow your lawn, trim your bushes and trees, and sweep your deck or patio regularly. As you know, the Louisville summer heat can quickly turn your lawn brown and kill your flowers ; be sure to water often, especially when we go for days without rain.

Be prepared for getting your family out of the house. If you have children, selling in the Summer can be difficult because they aren’t in school and might actually be at home all day instead. Although it can be challenging, try to keep your home in order as much as possible and develop a good exit strategy for those times you need to show it. Plan ahead for play dates and camps and try to head out to the Louisville Zoo, a park or for a casual dinner when possible — you and they will be glad to get away from home for awhile.

Putting It All Together

As you can see, selling in the summertime can be done, and actually comes with many advantages. You’ll have more daylight hours to showcase your home, you’ll see more serious buyers or those on a deadline, and many homes look their best inside and outside during the summer months.

But keep in mind that Summer is typically slower and there might be less traffic to your home than if you listed in the height of the springtime selling season. However, Spring can be a chaotic and rushed time (not to mention rainy), so the lazy days of summer might be a wonderful time for you to sell your home. Focus on the positives!

Every seller has their own specifics and deadline when it comes to selling, especially those who list their home in the summer. You MUST know your market and neighborhood so that your price your home right and have an idea of what you should or shouldn’t be do when negotiating terms.

I’m here to help you with a summertime sale or anytime! I have a process to get your home sold as quickly as possible for the most amount of money possible. I’d love to tell you all about it.  Contact me to set up a time to talk and let’s see if selling in the Summer is the right move for you.