3 steps for a successful summer property sale

Sunny skies and warmer weather does wonders for people’s mindset, which is why summer can be one of the best times to put your home on the market.

This is especially true in the Chichester and Bognor Regis areas, where we benefit from the most sunshine hours in the UK. And before the post-pandemic sales boom (which somewhat skewed ‘normal’ trends), 11 years’ worth of ONS data revealed that summer is the most popular season to sell.

With more homebuyers willing to venture out in the evenings to look for their dream home and see potential properties in their best light – quite literally – anyone thinking of putting their home on the market should make sure it’s summer sale ready. Here’s White & Brooks’ advice:

  1. Put away the winter wardrobe

By this, we don’t mean packing away your own clothes (although that’s a good idea too), but archive your home’s blankets, throws and faux fur cushions until next winter.

Go for lighter, summery bedding, table clothes and window dressings - think florals, pastels and sheer fabrics instead of anything that looks stuffy or heavy.

Replace the clichéd smell of baking bread or wintery cinnamon scents with fresh flowers and ‘clean linen’ scented candles, and be ready with a refreshing jug of lemonade or iced water if viewers turn up in a heatwave. As for the hallway full of winter coats and muddy boots, put them in the loft or out of sight.

  1. Let in light and fresh air

One of the advantages of hosting home viewings in the summer is the amount of natural light available, no matter how late in the day the appointment, so don’t shut it out.

Draw back the (freshly cleaned) curtains, pull up (recently dusted) blinds and crack open windows and doors. The latter will not only allow a comforting breeze to flow through your home but also help to get rid of any stale smells.

Don’t forget to give any glazing a thorough clean. The sunlight is skilled at showing up all sorts of smudges and smears, and you don’t want to distract buyers with dirty glass.

  1. Beautify the garden

A well-tended garden counts as extra living space, so you want to show it off the best you can, especially during the summer when buyers want to envisage themselves entertaining outside.

Clearing away fallen blossom, deadheading flowers and cutting the grass are all a given but an extra little spruce up won’t hurt. Set-up the garden for summer living, with a strategically placed BBQ or firepit and your garden furniture arranged as if you were expecting guests. At the same time, put any children’s toys, such as bikes, trampolines and paddling pools away.

If you're selling a property by the sea, then it’s likely the exterior will be a little weatherworn, so a fresh lick of paint could be needed. Coastal themed accessories, like deck chairs and storm lanterns, would look great, especially if you’re targeting buyers relocating from inland areas.

Ready to sell? Contact your local White & Brooks branch.

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