Lennar Resource Center

Sometimes going the extra mile can really pay off, especially when it comes to preparing your home for potential buyers. There are many simple tips and tricks that you can follow in order to help sell your home more quickly.  If your home’s interior and exterior reflect the time of the year, it could have a positive influence on potential home buyers. This U.S. News & World Report article by Tori Toth offers 15 ways in which you can welcome the summer season into your home when you put it on the market. 

Curb appeal lured homebuyers and guests inside. If you have a front yard, make sure the door stands out with a colorful coat of paint. Plant flowers with contrasting colors to create personality. Add a decorative wreath and new welcome mat as a way to greet those at the door and invite them inside.

Create some entertaining space. Think summer barbecues, dining under the stars or a place to relax and catch some rays with a book. It’s important to dress up each section of the yard with a different function to create the perfect balance between a place to play and eat. Don’t forget to add pops of color in flowers, table linens or even a piece of artwork to soften the look of the space and actually attract the eye to that particular section.

Spring for a water feature. Many homeowners opt to install a water feature in their home in the front yard, back yard or even inside. The sound of water is calming and can be a way to drain out any unwanted neighborhood sounds.

Stay on top of landscaping. Speaking of water, keep the lawn and flowers watered daily to sustain their green, healthy look. A well-kept landscape tips off buyers and guests that the entire home is well maintained.

Prep the deck or patio. A deck or patio can be a positive feature when selling a home, and can of course be a great place to entertain. Fix any minor repairs that are needed, like cracks in the concrete or re-staining the deck. Dress it up with a seating area, a few potted flowers and maybe even a fire pit.

Keep up with clean-up. Outdoor spaces should be cleaned at least once a year with a power washer to remove any dirt or deep stains on the home’s exterior. It’s imperative that garbage and clutter be removed from the lawn, flowerbeds and near any entertaining areas by designating one place in the yard for outgoing trash. Bugs and animals can also be an issue outdoors, so use the proper treatment to deter them and remove cobwebs from doorways.

Maintain window panes. During the summer, clean the outside and inside of your windows to remove debris, maximize light and keep dirt from blowing into the home when the window is open. The window coverings should be surrounded by light, airy fabric like linen or silk, and keep your window treatments open to embrace the sun’s natural light.

Provide summer relief with a cool breeze. In some parts of the country, the summer’s heat can be unbearable. A home should stay at a comfortable temperature, so check you air conditioning equipment regularly during the summer months to avoid a melt down. If you’re selling a home, having a cool home can get buyers to linger around the home longer.

Change textiles throughout the home. The presence of a heavy blanket or furry pillow in a room in the summer heat can make a person start to sweat. An easy tactic to welcome summer into a home is by exchanging heavy fabrics for breezier ones. Change throw pillow covers, throw blankets, sofa slipcovers, bedding and even rugs. Mix in more neutral colors, floral patterns and natural material textiles. You may even decide to remove an object, like a rug, for the season to change the space.

[Read the full article here]