Selling Your Property in the Summer - Ask the experts
July 2024
Selling Your Property in the Summer - Ask The Experts
Selling a property is a significant decision and timing can play a crucial role in achieving the best outcome. While the property market can be influenced by various factors, selling your home during the summer months offers several advantages that can help you secure a favourable deal. Here’s why summer is an excellent time to put your property on the market.
Five simple steps to take when selling your home this summer to achieve the best possible house price!
1. Increased Buyer Activity
One of the most important reasons to sell your property in the summer is the increase in buyer activity. Families, in particular, prefer to relocate during the summer holidays to minimise disruption to their children’s education and to prepare for the next academic year and as a result the summer is typically sees an influx of potential buyers.
The warmer weather and longer days also make it more convenient for buyers to attend viewings and or have their house available whilst they are on holiday. With more daylight hours, prospective buyers have more flexibility to view properties after work or during the weekends. This increased activity can lead to more offers and potentially a quicker sale.
2. Summer is a great time to Show Case Your Property - Concentrate on Kerb Appeal
More than any other time of year, your outdoor space will be on show. The summer is when buyers are most likely to explore gardens and take note of the exterior or the property and its kerb appeal. Take advantage of the long summer evenings by ensuring your garden is well-maintained and your outdoor spaces are inviting by cleaning up the boarders and keeping the grass cut and neat. Ensure the windows are clean as it can make a significant difference in how your property is perceived by potential buyers. Remember first impressions do count and a property that has a great kerb appeal from the outside can attract more interest and higher offers. Keeping the front of your property spotless and clean is essential as the longer days and bright sunny weather can emphasize features of your property both good and bad mean it will on view for longer and in stronger light.
3.General Maintenance is Essential
While it might seem simple, fixing anything that is broken in the summer months are particularly important because of how much more the sun is brighter. Sunlight makes spaces bigger and lighter, which makes flaws more obvious. Any repairs needed should be attended to before you put your house on the market. Common repairs include peeling wallpaper, chipped paint, cracked windows, dirty carpets, kitchen and bathroom repairs, stains on the ceilings and floors and broken lighting. Anything that’s damaged
Potential buyers notice the condition of the homes exterior making a note of elements that need replacing or repairing. Anything that is damaged can harm a home’s value. Sellers should pay attention to garden walls, over grown trees or bushes near to the property or walls or fences which could have structural issues. Check your roof and guttering that they are clear and absent of any cracked tiles or broken gutters. Clean patios and decking – checking that they are free from moss and weeds. With each aspect that’s damaged devaluing a home and can be highlighted in a surveyor’s report which could disrupt your sale.
4. Wash your windows inside and out
Dirt and dust is much more obvious in the brighter summer sunshine through your windows. Ensure you clean your windows if you can get a professional to do it. Buyers frequently look and stand looking up at windows or through the windows to the garden or outside scenery. Its such a simple task to do which can make a substantial difference to your viewing and how potential buyers will perceive your property.
5. Spruce up your décor for Summer...
Give your home a summery feel to reflect the time of year, your senses can help with creating a relaxing and homely feel by using colour and smells. Reed diffusers with a summery perfume, such as the scent of roses or fresh linen. Fresh flowers can create the brighten any dull room and nothing is summerier than a vase of sunflowers. Colourful cushions can add a cheap and satisfying way to spruce up your furniture or a bowl of lemons and limes to a coffee table.
Advantages of Selling Your Home in the Summer
Ideal Viewing ConditionsGood weather conditions make it convenient for both sellers and buyers to view prospective properties. The natural light during summer can make your home look more spacious and welcoming, enhancing the appeal of interior spaces. The summer allows you to showcase outdoor features such as patios, decks, and gardens, which are often key selling points. A well-presented outdoor area can add considerable value to your property and attract buyers who are looking for a home with functional and attractive outdoor spaces.
Higher Selling Prices
There is an increased flurry of buyers which can create competition among buyers during the summer months sometimes resulting in an increase in competitive bidding and the demand can result in higher selling prices, benefiting sellers who are looking to maximise their return on investment.
In addition to this, summer buyers are often more serious and motivated, as they are keen to complete their purchase and settle into their new home before the autumn. This urgency can work in your favour, leading to faster transactions and potentially higher offers.
Moving Convenience
For sellers, moving in the summer is generally more convenient. The favourable weather conditions reduce the risk of delays caused by inclement weather, making the logistics of moving smoother and less stressful. Whether you are relocating locally or to a different city, summer provides ideal conditions for packing, transporting, and unpacking your belongings. With children on school holidays during the summer, moving can be considered as a good option and the transition easier for families. Moving during this period allows children to settle into their new home and community before the start of the new school year, reducing the stress and disruption to family life.
Positive Market Trends
As an experienced estate agent with over 30 years in the area Kerr and Co understands the seasonal dynamics of the property market can be invaluable. We have advised all our clients on proven trends and provide tailored advice and support, ensuring your property is marketed effectively to attract the right buyers.
Local and national data* has shown that property markets tend to be more active during the spring and summer months. By understanding these trends and taking into consideration current economic facts can help you make informed decisions about pricing and marketing strategies. Kerr and Co have a established presence on the high street more insights and data on recent sales in Hammersmith Shepherds Bush and Chiswick boarders, helping you set a competitive price for your property.
Important Factors to consider when selling your Property
Since Covid 19 pandemic outdoor space has become a valuable and asset to a property and how desirable to a potential buyer . Therefore it is important to be mindful of what we grow and build in our gardens, as it can have a detrimental effect on the property’s overall value and general appeal. If you are thinking of moving home in the near future, our advice would be to moderate plans to overdevelop, over personalise any outdoor space, check whats lurking in your garden and repair and maintain any features which may be considered an eye sore. We have listed a few red flags which could harm any sales success in the future.
Ponds
Can be either loved or hated by persepective buyers, however our own experiance has found ponds do not have a positive appeal as maintenance or safety aspect are flagged up by potential buyers . If you have a pond ensure its well maintaned and functioning and note a breeding ground for mosquitoes and frogs as it could make a diffence on your house sale .
Artificial grass
Again while many home owners prefer a pristine lawn, there are a growing number of homeowners who do not have the time to spend mowing, raking and watering a lawn. Those with young children also find it hard to maintain a constant green glade as it can get easely chewed up with footballs and bikes . Artificial grass always looks neat and lush but it’s not an aspect finding favour with home buyers, some fake lawns can be seen as not a disarable garden feature so ensure yours is clean and apealing to the eye .
Outdoor structures or Sheds
Sheds and outdoor buildings as useful and a great addition to any garden however ensure they have had a recent coat of paint and are fit for use. Childrens trampolines and play equipment should be clean and in good repair - there is nothing worse than a broken slide, swing covered in green mould at the bottom of the garden taking up valuable space and are unsightly. Hide or cover compost heaps and ensure they are free of any signs of rodents or pests which can instantly put buyers off .
Invasive plants
The first thing a surveyor will look for in your garden is Japanese knotweed and Nigella damascena,they are two of the most deadly plants to have growing anywhere near your property . They will certainly devalue your property if found as they are proven to cause major damage to the foundations of your property and they are very difficult to remove. There has been a huge rise of these plants being reported and they must most certainly be removed by a professional who will issue you with at certificate. Invasive and damaging plant species can decrease a home’s value by up to 20%. ‘Running’ Bamboo is on the watchlist, as it shares the same aggressive spreading pattern and habit of damaging solid structures as Japanese knotweed. It’s also a criminal offence to plant or cause to grow species detailed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, including Himalayan balsam, purple pampas grass, Spanish bluebell and three types of Rhododendron.
For more information visit the RICS page on Japanese Knotweed RICS GUIDLINES
For more information on damaging or dangerous plant species in gardens Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
* information from Rightmove and Zoopla
To find out more tips for selling your home click here