How should I prepare to sell my house in the summer?

BY SCOTT MOORE

MAY 31, 2022

It’s no wonder so many people in Winnipeg sell their homes in the summer. The snow is gone, the streets are clear of dirt, grass is green, flowers in bloom, trees lush. Summer is one of the most favourable times of year for people to fall in love with your home.

However, there is a bit more work to selling a home when the landscaping is on full display, so here is my best advice for preparing to sell your home in summer.

First of all, nature is offering you the change to have max curb appeal—take it! 

The first step is a good spring cleaning. Clean up the garbage in the bushes, dog poop obviously has to be picked up, power-wash the driveway, wash the windows, wipe away cobwebs, give the front door a really good scrub, and make sure the bulbs are working in all the lights.

Next, the landscaping. Mow the lawn, water it regularly, trim the shrubs, pull the weeds.

Third, dress it up! At minimum, plant some flowers in beds if you have them, and add flowers in pots by the front door with a fresh welcome mat. For extra credit, google “front door styling” for inspiration. Could you add a rocking chair, rug, lantern, wreath? Focus on fresh, and inviting. Bonus: any items you purchase for this purpose can go with you to your next home so buy things you really love.

The second task is to focus on creating outdoor living space. Summer literally gives you more square feet—so show it off by creating as many outdoor spaces as possible. 

Add a small bistro table or pair of rocking chairs to a tiny patio and suddenly you have the perfect spot for morning coffee. Add an outdoor rug, some candles or string lights and some fresh accent pillows to your deck, throw some elbow grease at the BBQ until its shining, and now your patio looks renewed and like the perfect spot for entertaining.

Especially after the winter we’ve just had, people are going to want to spend as much time outside as possible, and the more spaces you can give them to imagine relaxing and enjoying the sunshine, the bigger your home will feel, and the more excited they are going to get about your home.

Finally, stage for the heat. In the summer, we are attracted to bright colour, light and warmth, so give the people what they want! Use summer colours and textures, and bright fresh flowers throughout the home. 

Lastly, remember that people will be coming in from the hot heat-- drop the thermostat down a degree or two so the house is nice and cool, and it’s a really nice touch to leave an ice bucket with cold bottles of water with a “help yourself” note.

For any questions about how to position your home to sell for the maximum return this summer--or in any season of the year-- please give me a call: 204 995 7355.