Top tips for a successful summer property viewing

During summer, property sales rise – and with warmer weather, longer nights and few seasonal commitments to obstruct buyers, it’s easy to see why. Summer is also a great time to show off your home – with more hours in the day to accept viewings, and sunny days bathing your property in inviting natural light.

In this blog we share our top handy tips to help you to ensure that you make the most of summer months with viewings that run smoothly and successfully.

Lighten and brighten

Summer’s lightness and brightness is wonderful – but this highlights any issues with your property that may not be so obvious during darker winter months. This includes dull, drab, tired interiors and bold imposing colours that darken and shrink rooms – placing a spotlight on mess and clutter. Assess each room in turn, considering how you can let in as much natural light as possible, ensuring each is bright, airy and inviting. This could require a major clear out, a lick of neutral paint or the removal of several pieces of furniture to create a larger space.

Tame your great outdoors

Summer presents the perfect opportunity to get out in the garden and neaten and tidy it ready for imminent viewings. Often the outdoor space surrounding your property is the very first thing potential buyers see, so it needs to make a positive impression. If not, this could influence their overall viewing of your home. Take care of small, inexpensive tasks, like mowing lawns and tidying borders. Adding potted plants or a small garden furniture set can also make a big difference to otherwise neglected or disused garden or yard areas. You want buyers to be able to imagine themselves enjoying the space in summer – so add a flavour of the lifestyle they can expect without cluttering.

Freshen up

As humans we are sensory creatures – and smells evoke emotion, memory and more. So it’s perhaps less than surprising that research has shown that property buyers are greatly influenced by the scent of a house. This extends further than simply eliminating unpleasant odours – as actually adding pleasant scents in tune with the current season can help you to sell your home. In winter rich, warm gingerbread, cookie dough and cinnamon are favoured – but summer scents should be fresh and light. Opt for delicate florals, freshly brewed coffee or bread straight out of the oven – nothing overpowering, but light, welcoming, homely and inviting.

Let the air in

Winter months spent with windows firmly closed and the heating turn up can result in stuffy, damp rooms – off-putting for you and for buyers. Fortunately, summer months lend themselves to open doors and an influx of fresh air – which helps to create an inviting and enjoyable environment in your home. Fling windows and doors open an hour or so before each viewing to allow fresh air to circulate, and rid your property of any unpleasant smells that could put off potential buyers.

Take advantage of better weather

Take advantage of longer days and dry, warmer weather – both of which provide the perfect opportunity to finish essential maintenance like repainting, refurbishment and replacement. Viewers are much more likely to spot discolouring, dirt and dodgy paint in summer as opposed to during the dark days of winter – so it’s best to tackle any issues at the very start of the season to ensure that you’ll be ready for the months ahead.

Make the most of nature

Now is traditionally the time when bedding plants put on a spectacularly colourful display – so make the most of it! Bright, welcoming and beautiful, flowers and plants can instantly improve the first impression people viewing your property receive. Less is more – think adding a hanging basket or two outside, or arranging fresh cut flowers in a vase in your hallway or kitchen.

Considering relocation this summer? Let Johnsons take away the stress of removal. Discover more about our services here