Tips to Sell Your Home This Summer

Summer is a popular time for the real estate industry. As temperatures are pleasant, school year end, and preparation for new school years begin, moving is often scheduled in the middle of this popular time for many families. So how can you work to ensure your home sells this summer? Read our tips on selling your St. Louis home and you’ll be ready to focus on other fun stuff, like trips to the lake and family barbecues.

Get repairs taken care of

If you’re planning to list your home at the start of summer, you now have 30 to 45 days to tackle all the necessary and obvious repairs. Why is it so important to check these off your to-do list ahead of time? First and foremost, it’ll prevent potential buyers from being distracted as they tour your home. Instead of making a mental list of what needs to be fixed, they’ll be able to focus on your home’s positive qualities. This will also lessen their bargaining options.

Start getting the clutter out (if you have it)

Some houses remain minimal and very organized, while others need a little extra work to stay orderly. Clutter eats equity and kills deals. Period. It’s time to declutter, freeing up more visual space in your home. Look at each item in your house, and decide to save it, store it, sell it, or chuck it. The concept that ‘less is more’ is at the heart of making a home sellable. Once you’ve gotten rid of what you’re not using, edit and organize the rest. Living space is an extremely precious commodity, and a little extra breathing room, along with a sense of expansiveness, makes your home feels luxurious, calming, and uplifting.

Make your home impersonal

While this may seem cold, you want your home to appear as an open book where you can “insert family here.” Having personal items and photographs makes potential buyers feel like an intruder in someone else’s home.

Get rid of common deterrents

Anything religious or political is going to alienate a percentage of prospective buyers. Remove these items to keep the house neutral and keep prejudices at bay.

Get glistening from the outside

Pumping up the home’s exterior appeal is a crucial step in creating a good first impression. Right now, you can get a jump on your curb appeal by taking advantage of the spring growing season. This is the time to plant grass and flowering plants. And don’t forget to trim up the trees and bushes. By sale day, your curb appeal will be in full bloom and ready for the stream of willing buyers. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s why curb appeal – the way your house looks from the street – is so critical.

Be realistic

Know what nearby houses are selling for and what you can really sell yours for. Leave sentimental pricing at the door and be honest with yourself. This will make the actual bidding, bargaining, and sell process much easier.