Selling A Home in Summer, Buyer Viewings Make it Easy

SELLING A HOME IN SUMMER

Selling a home in Summer means additional actions to take before any viewing. It’s hot so preparing beforehand as much as possible will ease the burden on the actual day.

Keep the house cool

It amazes me how much heat comes in through our windows if I don’t close the blinds quickly enough in the morning.

Have one room that is a sanctuary from the heat, preferably an open space to reduce claustrophobia from too many bodies in an enclosed space

Hydration

Bottles of water in an ice bucket is lovely – plain water to discourage buyers from strolling around with a drink that could possibly spill, it doesn’t need to be expensive water (unless you are selling a premium, very expensive home then it’s all about the image)

Ambiance

Keep music gentle, think gently flowing water, soothing sounds.

Summery scents, light, fresh, and subtle.

Flowers should be fresh, and not droopy. Leave them somewhere cool before the inspection and bring them out before you leave the house.

Outdoors, Selling the Lifestyle

Outdoor areas, al fresco or patios, make them sing with summer lifestyle.

Flooring

Tiles may become slippery. Is your home safer when buyers wear their shoes or remove them?

Dust being tracked into your home is annoying, and doesn’t look great. What can you do to mitigate this? Shoes off? Ensure the path into your home isn’t dusty? It will depend on your home.

We have a gravel driveway and it is easy for dust to be walked in, therefore I prefer shoes off. Mind you, this is a year round preference for me, because if it’s not dust, it’s mud, or other things from the grass, or dogs, horses, birds, possums, wombats, rabbits etc.

Viewings

Suggest multiple options of viewings to your agent, in the early evening, Saturday morning rather than afternoons. This will also spread buyer numbers to prevent volumes in your space at one time.

Yes, it means more frequent preparation, you are on the market, and you want your home to appear at its best.

On Really Hot Days (30°C+ / Heatwave Conditions)

Leave climate control running: Comfort helps buyers focus and reflects well on insulation and efficiency.
Create a cool zone: Make sure at least one main living area feels noticeably cooler.
Safety first: Keep floors dry and cords from fans or coolers secured.

Support smooth flow: Allow smaller groups to move through quickly if possible.

Selling a home in Summer in the Dandenong Ranges can have some advantages including the slightly cooler temperatures in the Hills versus Melbourne and suburbs. Coming home after a day in the City, you can feel the temperature change. Many of our homes are shaded by trees in Summer, both deciduous and evergreen trees provide shelter, and breeze. The scent of eucalyptus wafts through the air as the sun hits the leaves. The Dandenong Ranges are a beautiful place to live anytime, but in Summer there are added bonuses of outdoor living without needing to be in a crowded park surrounded by strangers.

Yes, bushfire threat is a downside, as it is in many areas. Preparation is essential, having a fire plan, and knowing what your triggers are to leave. As a new local, you may be on tenterhooks, avidly reading facebook posts. As a long-time local, you know to ignore Facebook, download the VicEmergency App (make sure Watch Zones and alerts are on), ABC Radio 774, keep an eye on the wind, and ONLY call 000 if you see flames, not just smoke. Smoke can drift in from some distance away and it takes valuable resources away if they are responding to false alarms.

Being aware of your homes potential market value is important regardless of the season. I can give you guidance on this using valuation tools such as Corelogic, and my own local knowledge. I work with a number of locals guiding them on home selling preparation, agent selection, and agent management. I take home sellers through the entire process as part of my advocacy service.